When is it time to restrict a senior's driving or ask him or her to surrender the car keys completely?

It's a touchy subject for baby boomers and their aging parents. In fact, adult children would rather talk to their parents about funeral plans than about taking away their car keys, according to a new survey from Caring.com and the National Safety Council.

"Talking to an aging parent about driving is a very sensitive issue, but adult children need to have these conversations to avoid a dangerous situation for their loved ones and for society at large," said Andy Cohen, cofounder and CEO of Caring.com, a web site for people who are caring for aging parents.

A clear understanding of a senior's driving abilities will make the uneasy task of discussing driving restrictions easier to approach. Before having any such conversations with an aging parent, it's important to first assess his or her driving aptitude. •Take several drives with the parent at the wheel, and observe his or her driving with an open mind. •Notice if the parent is reluctant to drive. •Watch for delayed reaction time. •Notice his or her awareness of the driving environment. •Inspect the car for signs of damage after the parent has driven alone. •Ask trusted friends and neighbors about the parent's driving.

When broaching the topic with seniors, adult children should always speak from a position of concern instead of ridicule, letting them know they have support.

While sensitive, the issue is particularly important and timely because the United States will experience substantial increases in the number of senior drivers over the next 20 years, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

The population of those over 75 is expected to grow from 18 million to 31 million between 2008 and 2028. And other than teenagers, drivers over age 65 have the highest accident rate. The increase in senior population, paired with a high accident rate, will result in up to 100,000 senior driving deaths by 2028.

"With our senior driving population growing, there will be more drivers over the age of 75, potentially causing serious safety issues on our roads," said John Kennedy, executive director of NSC Defensive Driving Programs. "As a nation, we must do more to promote mature driver safety through better education, self-evaluation tools, refresher driving courses, and more options for public transportation."

This story is provided by State Point Media.