Giving up the car keys is often a major milestone in a person’s life, but the decision was made easier two years ago for a Sedona woman.

Arline Fenstermacher, 74, still thinks she could drive if she absolutely had to, but admitted getting behind the wheel again may not be wise and could be terrifying.

Two years ago, her husband, Gene, told her he was not going to allow her to drive again when she almost died after losing control and crashing her Ford Bronco north of Flagstaff.

She said it was her husband’s decision, and she initially thought he eventually would change his mind, but now she knows this is not likely to happen.

“He kept leading me on. He gave me hope, and then I became pushy in wanting to know,” she said. “I don’t really need to drive. I don’t know how I would feel if I got behind the wheel again.”

When Fenstermacher needs or wants to go somewhere, she has to consult with her husband to ensure he can drive her.

Doctor’s appointments and grocery shopping are done on the days her husband is off from work. When asked what she would do in an emergency, Fenstermacher said she hopes one does not happen.

Public transportation available in Sedona for residents is limited.

The Sedona Community Center has a van that travels to Cottonwood on Tuesdays and it goes to the Village of Oak Creek on Fridays. It is also available Monday to Friday in Sedona and operates 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Users must contact the center a day in advance.

This shuttle, Fenstermacher said, is extremely important because many people visiting the center are unable to drive.

“There must be at least 30 of them,” she said in talking about senior citizens who no longer drive. 

The Sunset Village, where Fenstermacher lives and her husband works, provides a shuttle once a day to its residents, and she has taken this a few times to the Sedona Community Center and other locations.

Fenstermacher said there are events that cannot be arranged, like birthday parties, so these present difficulties when her husband is unavailable.

She feels some of her independence has been lost, especially after driving for 50 years. She said she never received a driving citation nor was involved in an accident until crashing just outside of Flagstaff in September 2008.

She calls it a pain to not be able to go where she wants, especially in the morning. After lunchtime, Fenstermacher becomes tired, and therefore, does not really want to go anywhere.

Friends know she no longer drives and have told her they will take her wherever and whenever she wants, but Fenstermacher does not want to infringe on them.

“It’s not their fault I can’t drive,” she said. 

Her husband has told her repeatedly he will drive her wherever she wants, so there is no reason she needs to get behind the wheel.

“I have to accept that,” she said. “Everyone wants to take care of me, and I do not want to be taken care of.”

The Fenstermachers moved to Sedona eight years ago, and she thinks if she outlives her husband, she may try driving again. Her driver’s license is valid for one more year, and she thinks it would not be too hard to renew it since all she has to do is pass the written and vision tests.

Fenstermacher, though, considers herself fortunate because she has a spouse who still drives, and she said this is handy to have.

Her husband said his wife might be able to drive, but he, under no circumstances, is going to let her.

The Area Agency on Aging said it is a case-on-case basis regarding when a person should stop driving due to age, and driver’s licenses can be suspended or revoked by the Motor Vehicle Division if there is a reason to do so.