As we age it's incredibly important to maintain social ties and stay active. One of the key factors in allowing us to do this is being able to drive -- to see friends, to volunteer, to feel independent.

In fact, a 10-year study of 1,593 people aged 65 to 84 has found that seniors who don't drive are four times as likely to enter assisted living centers as those who do. Driving, as long as you are able to safely do so, can help combat loneliness (a malady shown to increase the risk of heart problems and weaken your immune system) and ensure that you can maintain a full, happy life at any age.

Of course, staying healthy is essential in order to stay behind the wheel, and this Web site has many simple secrets to help you live longer and happier.

American Journal of Public Health July 2006, Vol 96, No. 7

LiveScience July 19, 2006