Drive Safe Program

Ensuring Greater Boston patients are safe on the road

Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of injury-related deaths among adults 65 to 74 and the second-leading cause, after falls, among adults 75 to 84. You may benefit from our Drive Safe Program if you hold or have previously held a driver’s license and are experiencing changes due to the following conditions:

• Aging
• Declining vision
• Decreased strength
• Medical conditions
• Medication usage
• Neurological incidents
• Slowed reaction times
• Stiff joints
• Surgery
• Trauma

Department of Rehabilitation Services, Newton-Wellesley Ambulatory Care Center - Newton
159 Wells Avenue
Newton, MA 02459
Phone: 617-243-6172
Fax: 617-243-6651

How the Drive Safe Program Works

The Drive Safe Program includes two evaluations. The first evaluation is a clinical assessment, which one of our occupational therapists will conduct in our clinic. During your clinical assessment, we will test the physical, cognitive (thinking), and visual skills you need to drive. We’ll also review the rules of the road and your knowledge of driving safety.

If you demonstrate the underlying skills and knowledge for safe driving, you will proceed to the next step: an on-road assessment with a licensed driving instructor in a specially equipped vehicle. This assessment will test your performance in real traffic situations. Both your clinical assessment and your on-road assessment will factor into the determination of your fitness to drive.

The Drive Safe Program also includes several educational components for you, your loved ones, and caregivers. We’ll provide information on the following:

• Community resources for adults who no longer can drive safely
• Driving with specific medical conditions
• Planning for the future

It’s natural to have questions if you, your doctor, or your loved ones are concerned about your driving abilities. Get answers to some of our most frequently asked questions about the Drive Safe Program. 

Tips for Safe Driving

Safety should always be your top priority whenever you get behind the wheel of a car. Follow these tips to help protect yourself and others out on the road:

• Adjust the driver’s seat so that your chest is 10 inches or more from the steering wheel.
• Adjust your sitting posture by moving the steering wheel, adjusting your seat, or sitting on a cushion to get your eyes at least three inches higher than the top of the steering wheel.
• Always adjust your side-view mirrors to minimize the “blind spot” in the rear of the vehicle.
• If left turns are a problem, try planning a route with more right turns, and minimize or eliminate left turns.
• If busy road traffic presents a problem, try planning an outing during quieter times, such as the middle of the day on a weekday.
• When you start taking a new medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist about side effects. Many medications may affect your driving even when you feel fine. If your medication makes you dizzy or drowsy, talk to your doctor to find out ways to take your medicine so it doesn’t affect your driving.