Once your eyes and ears take in information, it’s up to the mind to process it and decide on the best course of action. Age lengthens the time it takes the brain to process information and also makes it harder to ignore distractions The good news is that experience, mature judgment and good driving habits can many times compensate for those diminished skills.

There are a few steps you can take to make sure you have enough time to make the best decision:

• Leave more room between your car and traffic ahead of you. Strive to maintain at least four seconds between you and the vehicle ahead. This will give you more time and space to brake or turn as needed.
• Avoid left turns if you feel uncomfortable making them. Oncoming traffic and pedestrians can make turning left difficult. Sometimes going up one block and making three right turns can put you on the same street as one difficult left turn.
• Eliminate distractions. Cell phones and radios take attention away from the road. Noisy passengers and events outside the vehicle can also be sources of distraction.
• Plan your route ahead of time. Thinking about your route in advance can minimize missed turns and last-minute decisions at intersections.
• Think about speed. If freeways in your area are confusing, use side streets instead. By the same token, if rush hour traffic is stressful for you, try limiting your driving to slower times of day.

It’s also important to stay mentally active. Using your problem-solving skills in non-driving ways can help mental flexibility. Completing jigsaw puzzles or crosswords can keep your mind sharp and learning a new skill or hobby is fun at any age!