Is it Finally Time to Quit Driving?

That faithful rattle-trap of a car had served well beyond its planned life cycle. In its day it carried the couple on shopping trips, to weddings, baptisms, graduations, funerals and more doctors’ appointments than could be recalled. The hands that once gripped the wheel, its steady driver of the two, seemed to know every road and shortcut to get from Point A to Point B lickety-split, were gone now, to a place where driving isn’t needed.
That meant the car, its upkeep and insurance payments, which grew higher and chewed up a larger amount of the pension checks, and driving was left to the one who had ordinarily been in the passenger seat. Reluctantly, she assumed the role of driver, a task she never really enjoyed. To her, cars nowadays went way too fast, drivers weren’t content to follow her, always passing and blowing their horns giving her defiant looks as they zoomed ahead, and it was getting more difficult to see where she was going.
Still the old car started up, smoking a bit more than it once did. “At least it goes,” as she would tell friends and family. By the way, they often were beside themselves that she still had the moxey to drive. She had, over the last few years, banged into a few parked cars, a utility pole, and hit the garage door more than a few times.
The family whispered behind her back, “When is she ever going to quit driving?”
Surely, it was bound to happen. One day, as she was driving home from a doctor’s appointment, she glanced in her rear-view mirror and saw flashing lights. Dutifully, she pulled over to let the police car pass. That wasn’t the intent of the flashing lights, however. Why was the police car still behind her flashing its lights? And then, she heard the siren. Finally, it dawned upon her to pull over and stop.
Ever the gentle lady from the past, she started to open the door. That action was met with a curt, but courteous “Stay in the car, ma’am.”
After an introduction by the young (he looked even younger than her grandson) officer, whose name she could not understand much less recall, she was asked to produce license, registration and proof of insurance. He looked at the documents, returned to his patrol car, then walked slowly back to her car.
“Ma’am, do know you ran a stop sign and a red light all in the last three blocks?” he asked.
“Why, no, officer, I would never do anything like that. I’m a safe driver, I even attended an AARP Safe Driving Class,” she responded.
“Ma’am, I’m afraid I’m going to have to issue you a traffic summons,” he said.
What would she do? How could she ever tell her family she had been stopped by a police officer and gotten a ticket? Her heart began to pound, her hands began to shake. All of a sudden, tears welled up in her eyes. She had broken the law. She felt like the worst of criminals, worse than Al Capone or Charles Manson, even though her offense was not as grave.
Confession being good for the soul, she broke the news to her daughter and son. Both were accepting of the fact and almost relieved that no one had been hurt or worse by her actions. They recommended an eye exam and then, an idea, almost too difficult to put into words.
“Mom, would you ever consider giving up driving?” her daughter asked.
“How would I get to the doctor’s office? How would I get to the market? How would I …?” she replied at first.
Then, her daughter mentioned something in passing. “You know, Mom, Cape May County has Fare Free Transportation. They will take you to the market and to your doctor’s office when you have an appointment.”
“That’s just for old people,” said her mother, hoping to wiggle free. “Mom, have you looked at yourself in the mirror? And no, it’s not just for old people,” answered her daughter.
“Mom, look at the money you will save. No more gas, no more worrying about changing the oil or winterizing or flat tires. Think of what you can do with the money you paid for car insurance. Mom, look, it’s not all bad. And, you might meet some very nice people on those Fare Free buses and vans,” said her daughter.
“OK, I’ll try it, but just one time,” said Mom.
Before she realized it, nearly a year had passed since that life-changing traffic stop. She had actually gotten into a routine of having Cape May County Fare Free Transportation stop at her door and provide rides to market or doctor’s appointments.
While the above is fictional, there are many parts that are non-fiction to many riders of Cape May County’s Fare Free Transportation. That department marked its 40th anniversary Dec. 12 providing rides to county residents. Many are enjoying independent living because of that fleet of buses and vans.
Reluctant as many may be, at first, to relinquish their driver’s licenses due to failing sight, hearing or impaired reflexes, just as many find freedom not fretting about vehicle maintenance or the escalating costs of driving.
If you or someone you know fits the fictional person described above, and the scenario surrounding that decision to quit driving, consider contacting Cape May County Fare Free Transportation at 889-3700.
In such a rural county as this, it would be impossible for many senior citizens to enjoy a comfortable lifestyle if Fare Free Transportation did not provide the range of services it does.