Cars for seniors - tips and advice
Seniors are increasingly dependent on the car, the car over-65s is also dramatically increased and there with the car manufacturers have responded well to appropriate models. To the right choice, the buyer must carefully consider what it has to meet, to eventually ease and enjoyment of the car to have.
From luxury to necessity
For more than 84% of the elderly is the main transport vehicle and increasing the ownership and use of a car for seniors has become a necessity. Gone are the days when over-65s only on Sunday on the road could be found, the disappearance of local shops, bus stops and post offices is forcing the seniors to traveling long distances, especially in the more sparsely populated areas where aging will often assume substantial proportions .
CBS has recently calculated that between 2000-2009 the number 65 and over with a car has risen sharply, while among the over-80s even in car ownership has doubled! On January 1, 2009 were 1.1 million passenger cars on behalf of over 65 which is an increase of almost 46% compared to 2000. Moreover, CBS noted that more and more people 90 years and older a car, in 2009 there were already 7000.
If you belong to the 65-plus drivers belong, or parents or grandparents belonging to you when buying a car should realize that older people place different requirements on a car than younger people and that demands a very large role in purchasing them. It is in this case, good to know where a car must meet specific properties and qualities and what the car should have.
Use
Of course it is dangerous to all people over 65 have to lump, a dynamic 65-there, with his or her car in the middle of winter to a winter sports destination drive or summer with the caravan toward the south, is of course no 80-year-old the car used to drive to the mall or the church.
CBS concluded that older seniors much less mileage than younger seniors. With their cars laid 80-plus average in 2008 than 5200 km, while 65 - to 70-year-olds is almost twice as many miles did. That is still considerably less than 18-65 year olds: therefore in 2008 averaged nearly 12,900 km with their cars.
We focus on these opinions not on the aforementioned 'dynamic 65-there "but that seniors with limited car use, either by old age, conservative lifestyle and other factors. This group uses the car mainly for the following purposes:
* Daily shopping in the vicinity
* Weekly social visits in the immediate vicinity
* Monthly visits to a large area
* Annual holidays at home or near abroad
Necessary properties
It is obvious: older people feel vulnerable in traffic and are often actually. By a decreasing response, less visibility and limited mobility they run a greater risk of being involved in a crash than a younger driver. The fact that this is not reflected in statistics is notably the fact that older less kilometers. Moreover, the nature of the accidents are often less severe, such as damage to internal and uitparkeren and bodywork damage.
Research has shown that people over 65 often drive older cars than younger people. As older cars do not always have the comfort and safety of new cars, is making a good choice and the regular addition of a newer model often wise. By choosing a proper car, with an appropriate range of options and accessories, the older the average rijggemak, and therefore safety, increase its size. What should be heeded:
Comfort
If you feel comfortable and you can easily move the drive increases:
* Choose a car with a high entrance.
* A three-door model has large doors that give you more ease of entry and exit.
* Note on a chair with good support, and wide enough to seat properly in the back.
* Make sure the head restraint on the right height for you can be put.
Operation
Safe driving is a good control and efficient overview of all important functions:
* A machine facilitates operation and reduces the number of operations.
* A center armrest should be adjustable to the height for you to adjust
* Choose a car with a clear set of instruments
* If you are a user of a mobile phone, have a good handsfree kit, it certainly pays back in ease and verkeersveiligheid.Zoeken to unknown addresses and ignorance of a route with a GPS is certainly of the past.
View
You drive in the dark in the sun, in rain and snow, and under all the circumstances, a good view is required.
* Heated mirrors improve the quality of vision
* A dimming interior mirror allows you the bright light of your rear beams to weaken
* A parking assist you in parking lots and prevent damage to you and others little more expensive models (eg Mercedes A-class) to the park even completely take over, but it hangs at a price.
Tip: Do not hang items on the interior, which impairs visibility
Area and Dimensions
Studies show that elderly people over 65 cars are on average lighter than the young.
That is to be explained: the elderly often lack financial resources or the need for a broad, and therefore heavier car. Also has a small car quite a few advantages:
* Lighter steering, especially with power steering.
* A smaller turning radius, thus easier to maneuver.
* Easier to park.
If you choose a three-door, because you rarely more passengers and you prefer an easy entry, it is important to a model with a "third door" to take. This is preferred to a trunk of a sedan, because:
* a larger door opening
* a larger load (also for walkers, etc.)
* a lower threshold, shopping is not high so you need to lift
Choice of brand and model
Choosing the right car is a very personal matter, however, the following statistics may help in your choice. In 2009, these cars are most popular among over-65s:
* Toyota Yaris
* Opel Agila
* Hyundai i10
* Suzuki Alto
* Peugeot 207
If you choose a car with a pronounced high instep and a new value to € 15,000, you arrive at:
* Opel Agila
* Nissan Note
* Hyundai i10
* Ford Fusion
* Fiat Panda
About the choice where you buy your car is also something to say:
* Preferably choose a dealer in your neighborhood.
* Choose a garage where you know and you trust.
* Make purchases at all regarding the use of a courtesy car at service intervals.
* Choose a garage where people are willing to pick up your car and then deliver
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