Some older drivers find it hard to give up the keys

Sunday, November 22, 2009

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Elizabeth Garrett gave up her keys after someone reported her driving to the state.

(Bay News 9) -- Elizabeth Garrett has a hard time just getting around the house in a walker.

The 93-year-old used to use a scooter to get to her car.

Bay News 9's partner paper the St. Petersburg Times rode along with Garrett a couple of months ago when she was thinking about giving up her license.

"So I went to my doctor, and he said you are taking a lot of medications which cause dizziness because I fall all the time," Garrett said.

During one of Garrett's drives with the Times she didn't recognize a school zone and blew through it at 40 mph. In the past five years she has had three minor accidents, but still saw herself as a competent driver.

More Information

Times reporter talks about the story

Like many seniors she was struggling with the idea of giving up the keys. She eventually did after someone reported her driving problems to the state, and she would have had to go in for a special driving test. The cost was a deal breaker.

"And they want $325. I don't think I'll bother because in a year or two I expected to give my license up anyway," Garrett said.

But she misses the independence a car brings.

"That's why I say I miss the car in a way, but I know in a couple of years I would have given it up anyway," Garrett said. "So I'm not that disappointed."

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