Older drivers running into problems?

DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) - On August 4th, Montgomery County Sheriff's deputies helped a bicyclist hit by a car driven by an 84 year old on Far Hills Avenue in Washington Township. The 27 year old bike rider, died from his injuries.

Earlier the same day, 88 year old Lois Larkins was killed in the parking lot of the Princeton Recreation Center on Everett street. Larkins got out of her car, not realizing she didn't put the car in park. The car ran over her and dragged her a short distance.

Finally in April, 84 year old Marjorie Sells was found guilty of vehicular manslaughter. Sells hit Rebekah Meade while Meade was on her bike on Philadelphia drive last October.

Dale Wilhelm of D&D driving school in Kettering said he knows why elderly drivers get into trouble.

"A lot of times I've noticed just that they've been practiced bad habits for so long that the bad habits only get worse"

Wilhelm, who works as a rehabilitative driving instructor says many elderly drivers can improve their skills.

"Sometimes we can give them some tips on how to improve their visual skills and other driving habits, refresh their memory and very often they can continue to drive."

Wilhelm figures most elderly drivers know when to give up the keys. But he also said you should look for warning signs to step in and help make the decision for them.

"A lot of disorientation or they get lost close to home or they become very confused."

Kettering Medical Center's sports medicine center has a driving program where they can do a physical or cognitive assessment of people's ability to drive. A physician's referral plus a recent medical history are required to participate in the program.