Elderly Drivers-Your opinion?

[Fast Hands]

A recent accident in California (read here) has sparked many debates here in America about the danger of elderly drivers. Many people are outraged that more states aren't testing their elderly drivers more often or setting an age limit while others say their hands are tied because the people and money just aren't available to do so.

My opinion is that some kind of extra testing should be done for drivers over a certain age. But, simply having a 'no more driving' cutoff age isn't acceptable either, as driving abilities vary among individuals. Young people are responsible for more accidents than older drivers, but as baby boomers approach senior citizen-status in coming years, the problem with elderly drivers may increase as well. This is a tough problem as many states face budget shortfalls that don't allow for the costs of extra or more frequent testing.

I was wondering what your opinion is on this topic?

[Aelia Jusa]

I agree that an aribitrary age for not being able to drive anymore would be unfair, especially with people living longer and being more healthy at older ages there'd be mnay people who could drive long after the age limit, and some who shouldn't be driving years before. I think it's difficult, because there's obviously a lot of really poor drivers of all age groups and there's no compulsory testing for them. As well, sometimes road rules change and people who aren't being tested regularly and don't have to update their knowledge might not understand or know about them. A lot of people over 50 here don't understand the rules for roundabouts because they were introduced after they got their licences - it's not just an elderly driver issue.

I suppose for elderly drivers the special issues are eyesight, which is tested here in Australia for everyone who's getting their licence renewed, hearing, less sharp reflexes, and lack of strength, which is less of a problem with power steering but still an issue. There's also the fact that many older drivers are more likely than younger drivers to drive slower than the speed limit which can be as dangerous as speeding. Quite a lot of older drivers realise their limitations and voluntarily stop driving when they think they're no longer safe on the road. My grandparents have done this. But often they either don't realise, or don't care, or realise but think they 'need' to drive so keep doing it anyway. I think it's important for family members with elderly parents or grandparents to see whether they are capable of driving safely, and make sure they have the capacity to get around if they can't drive anymore. I'm not sure that the answer is.

[Ladyzekke]

I heard about this on the news this morning. My first thought was shock that he actually killed 10 people! What's the chance of hitting 10 people in one accident? And injured 44 others?! And even more astounding the driver lived through it all! Horrible, and unbelievable. I heard he told police he got confused re the break and gas pedal?

I do think people that age are a danger on the road. I remember the secy I have worked with for 10 years, who recently retired, last year told me she forgot how to start her car one morning. If you are forgetting, even if it is now and then, essential basic things like that, you really shouldn't be driving. But on the flip side, a lot of elderly people have nobody else to rely on, they HAVE to drive to get groceries, get to work, etc., they have no family members or friends that are willing to drive them to places when they need to go.

Lord knows we pay the govt to pay for people on welfare having tons of kids that can't afford them, we should also take time to give a crap about the elderly, and help them out as well with driving services or something. Lets face it, no matter how old any of us are, given time we will be that old man or old lady some day.

[ 07-17-2003, 10:25 PM: Message edited by: ladyzekke ]

[Gabrielles blades]

Physical ability to drive should be tested for people who appear to have lost or are losing necessry things. For example poor eyesight to begin with or growing age which commonly leads to poor eyesight.

you cant really say elderly drivers are worse than other drivers per say; many are fully capable of driving at/above the speed limit even at the ripe old age of 90 (my grandma for example speeds still)

There should be much more control. Lot's of them shouldn't even be allowed touching a car (can't see, hear..........).

[Harkoliar]

just to let you know, that THAT elderly driver talking about the accident, did that a couple of years before? heard it from my friend.

[cazzie]

well i read this article in the newspaper that this 96 yo was still driving, obviously not every1's that good but i guess if u can still drive y not but precautions n stuff should b taken.

[Bungleau]

A couple of thoughts...

... driving is a privilege, not a right. Some people need to get over that.

... no one wants to be the one to take the keys out of grandpa's hands. But who wants to be in the car when he hits it? Who wants to explain that grandpa, you killed 10 people in your drive on Sunday?

... not everyone fits into the same category. Some people are still good drives, mentally and physically capable at older years. Some lose that earlier.

... it is a lifestyle change when you stop driving. I have a friend in her late 20s who just got her license -- she's been living the "hitch-a-ride" life for a while. It's not so bad...

... loss of independence? Try the loss when you get served three squares a day in an 11x14 cell with Bubba...

... discrimination against older drivers? Perhaps, if it's not properly applied. Start it earlier if it makes sense -- 60? 50? It's all about playing the odds.

To me, it's about noticing and processing the details. As long as you can do that, you can continue to drive. Once you can't, it's time to stop.

[Timber Loftis]

I say make it fair for all regardless of age. Make a driver's license expire after 10 years, and make people take the test again to renew their license. You could pick what parts of the test you might want to re-test -- for instance, in Illinois I had to take the written portion and eye exam again to get an in-state license when I moved here.

[Rokenn]

In one of the radio reports I heard about this they mentioned one states solution to this problem was an 800 number that family, friends, or law enforcement could call to report drivers of any age they feel may be posing a hazard. They would then have to do a drivers test when their license came up again. They said the system has been working very well.