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I have concerns over my dad driving. When I began a conversation with him, he got very mad at me and is now not talking to me or my brother. We are very concerned about his ability to drive and feel he is a danger on the road. We have started talking with friends of his and his coworkers and they are very concerned as well. He has become very explosive and unpredictable. He is a diabetic and his blood sugar is dipping so low that he is passing out and having frequent episodes. He is under a doctors care and he tells me everything is fine (when he was talking to me). He is very stubborn and is refusing any help or admission that he even needs help. He is in complete denial. I am not sure what to do. He is refusing to even consider moving, although he is no longer able to maintain the house and it has become a health and safety risk. He is refusing to relinquish any driving privileges and won't talk to me about future plans, arrangements or any of his financial situations. I tried to discuss these matters years ago before we got to this point and he refused to talk about it. To my knowledge, he has no will, no health directives, neither my brother or I are on any of his accounts, nor know anything about any of his finances. He and my mother are divorced, so it's just me and my brother to take care of him. We are feeling he is a danger to himself, to others in regard to the driving issues and his explosive nature. We are looking for any guidance possible. I love my dad and want to take care of him, but how do you do that when they refuse your help and become combative?

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We had to disable my grandmother's car without her knowing it. Sneaky,yes, but no one got physically hurt.Emotionally ,sure she was hurt but there was no other way.She did not have the right to hurt anyony else.This is a very tough event.It means the beginning of the loss of independence.The day I was in the doctor's office with my mother and he stated he was starting her on morphine I knew right then that was the end of her driving days although she still insists she feels fine to drive, so would I on morphine.
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I fought for a good while with my Mother to make her stop driving. In my town it's very hard because we have no public transportation or taxis, so it was fight. She always said "your brothers don't say anything about my stopping driving". To which I'd reply they don't have the guts to have this argument with you. I know here in Pennsylvania, the doctor can inform the state and they will take away the license. Talk to his doctor about this. Now this doesn't guarantee he'll stop. He might just drive without a license. I had a friend who took all her Mother's keys to the car when she was able to do it without her Mother seeing. My Mother had an answer for every argument I had. She only drives back streets and alleys. She only drives in the morning. Any excuse. It was really scary. But all I could think of was her hurting herself or worse, killing a child or someone else. Good luck.
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My MIL's dr. told her she needs willingly give up her keys by winter or he will call the RMV and require she be retested. He told her they will revoke her license.
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You've done your part; now let DMV take it from there after you share your concerns with them. If they feel he's still able to drive, then that's what it is. If something unfortunate happens, you'll know whom to sue. Keep a paper trail though.
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There have been so many other dicussion threads on this topic that you can also check out. You mentioned speaking to his co-workers so is it safe to assume he is under retiremnt age? If so, that makes for a tough dilemma. I agree that you should speak to his doctor and see if he has documented his chart as to your Dad's mental capacity. He could telll your Dad he recommends that he stop driving. He could write a script prescribing a new dirving test to prove his capability. Once the MVC sees that, they most likely will fail him, and then the problem is solved. Otherwise, you and your brother can just take his keys away and face the fallout together. He already is not speaking to you so why not really give him good reason? (LOL). Bottom line, and you have stated it yourself, nobody has the right to endanger themselves or anyone else on the road if they do not have competent skills or judgement. So it's time to take the upper hand. Good luck and let us know how it works out.
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