Seniors Can You Be Considered an Impaired Driver because you’re taking prescription medications

As we get older, more and more of us tend to take medications for one reason or another. These drugs may have stronger effects on our bodies than when we were younger.  

High doses of some drugs can impair your skills and reflexes while behind the wheel of your car. It can also make you drowsy, affect your vision and have other negative side effects that can affect your safety and the safety of others while on the road.   

When taking any medication read the labels It is common to see the warnings on prescription drug labels noting something along the lines of, “Do not operate heavy machinery or equipment.” It is important to remember that the heavy machinery mentioned includes automobiles. 

Many times the driver’s doctor-prescribed medication which can have an effect on the ability to drive equal to, or worse than, being intoxicated. Driving while impaired under the influence of medication is just as illegal as drinking and driving and has the same penalties.  

If any drug makes you drowsy or dizzy or any other adverse reactions, do not drive while taking these drugs and speak with your doctor right away.  

Are Your Car Tires Out of Date

Worn Tires, especially bald ones can be deadly on wet roads.

Mileage is the not the only concern when speaking of the integrity of your car’s tires. The age of the tires is an important factor too. Many seniors do not put a lot of miles on their cars and may be under the assumption that because of the low miles on the car, the tires are ok. This may not be the case.

Tire rubber degrades and dries out over time, no matter what the miles are. This can cause cracking and stress on the tire's structural composition, possibly resulting in failure, including blowouts and tread shredding at higher speeds. Older tires often have problems maintaining proper inflation. This can cause gas consumption to rise, wasting valuable fuel. 

All tires have a date code stamped on the sidewall. If your tires are more than 5 years old you should have your auto service professional inspect the tires and check the date code Remember, the age of a tire is as important as the mileage. 

Worn tires—especially bald ones—can be deadly on wet roads, where the grooves aren't deep enough to channel water out from beneath the tread. The result is hydroplaning, where the tread skims the water's surface and the vehicle no longer responds to the steering wheel. Wet-weather braking and snow traction also decrease as tires wear.

Tires are considered bald when one or more of their grooves reaches 2/32 of an inch deep, compared with about 10/32 of an inch for new tires (tread wear is usually measured in 1/32-inch increments). Manufacturers have made bald tires easier to spot by placing a series of molded horizontal bars at the base of the grooves. The bars become flush with surrounding tread when wear reduces a groove's depth to 2/32 of an inch. That's also the point where tires will flunk a state safety inspection—and where tread must be worn for you to collect on a tire's tread-wear warranty.
Unfortunately, 2/32 of an inch may be too late if you drive in rain or snow. Based on our tests of new and half-tread-depth tires, you may want to consider shopping for new ones on your car or truck closer to the 4/32-inch groove depth.

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The Days are Getting Shorter and Colder. Get Your Car In Shape for the Months Ahead!

The Weather Is Now Changing, be prepared to meet the fall head on where auto safety and maintenance is concerned.

 The leaves have started to fall, and parents have sent their children back to school. Before the weather takes a turn for the worst Osceola Garage Auto Care would like to offer the following car maintenance tips to get vehicles ready for the damp, cold months ahead.

Take Your Vehicle For A Full Check Up

As the fall weather continues to roll in, it's important to have the following items checked by a professional: battery cables and terminals, belts and hoses, air filters, windshield wipers and all fluids, including anti-freeze, oil, brake fluid, power steering fluid, automatic transmission fluid and windshield washer fluid.





  Take A Good Look At Your Tires

Are there signs of uneven tread wear? That could indicate under-inflation, unbalanced tires or misaligned wheels. Remember to check your tire pressure with a gauge at least once a month and regularly inspect the tread depth. Your tread will be even more important during the autumn months when wet, dead leaves cover the roadways.

Take Care Of Your Lights And Turn Signals

Fall, along with less favorable weather, also means it's time to turn the clocks back for daylight savings. With a shorter day comes a longer night, so be sure your headlights, taillights and turn signals are in proper working order and shining at the appropriate levels.


Talk To Your Teenager

Have a teenager in the house? Worried about all the driving they will be doing during the fall? You can't teen-proof your neighborhood, but you can talk to your teen about safe driving before they head to school.  Osceola Garage has tips and resources for parents to help start a conversation with your teens about smart driving.   Stop by or call us to get a complete list of safety tips for your teenager.

Remember, not only can taking these small steps keep your vehicle running newer, longer, but they can also help keep you and your family safe on the road.