at what point should an elderly person not drive?

Question

and are the elderly even as bad of drivers as younger people?

Answer 1

Although the greatest number of drivers involved in crashes is in the 25-34 year age group, there is existing data that suggests the crash risk for senior drivers is relatively higher than for that of the average driver. And the number of older drivers will remain on the increase.

The Census Bureau reports that in 1960, there were more than 16 million people over the age of 65. They have estimated that by the year 2010, there will be nearly 40 million people 65 and older.

The aging process brings on problems which are believed to affect driving. Some of these problems include: decreasing vision, hearing loss, lack of mobility; in some cases, combined prescription and over-the-counter drugs may affect driving skills.

With increased emphasis on the use of safety belts, required vision and medical testing, and road testing, there are efforts being made to enable senior drivers to maintain safe driving records for longer periods of time.

Most older drivers are aware of their limitations and keep their driving to non-peak daylight hours. All drivers need to recognize that senior drivers have special problems and to anticipate the unexpected.

The National Safety Council, the American Association of Retired Persons, the AAA Foundation of Traffic Safety, and some other automobile clubs have booklets and in some cases, classes or course instruction that will explain how to deal with physical changes during the aging process. In addition, if senior drivers take advantage of these classes, some insurance companies will offer reduced rates.

Many states offer driving refresher courses and additionally, often any driver 75 or older applying for license renewal must take both a driving and a vision test. After age 80, the license is valid for two years, and after age 85, the license is valid for one year.

A good piece of advice for seniors is to learn all you can about walking and using alternative modes of transportation like buses, trains or car pools before you have to give up driving yourself. Knowing there are alternatives will make the decision to give up driving an easier one.

Answer 2

I quit driving when i realized my reflexes and spotty mental focus were making me potentially dangerous. I did not want to be responsible for hurting or causing the death of someone because I shouldn't have been driving. Not everyone can face the truth as easily as I did. It is not just the elderly that can be too impaired to drive safely. Some people temporarily impair themselves and slaughter innocents on the road driving drunk or stoned. Many more people die because of that than because of elderly drivers. There should be periodic testing after the age of 60. Eyes, reflexes and mental function.

Answer 3

Some old peope are good drivers at 90. Some people are awful drivers in their twenties.

Age is not the criteria. Reaction time, driving skill and temperament should be the guide. Yes we need to check old people for ability from time to time but when was the last time you heard of an oldster causing a fatal crash?

Sadly most people who cause and die in accidents are young.

A group of old people were talking. One said, "you know I can hardly see three feet in front of me". Another said "I can hardly move my arms now adays." Another said "I can't hear what you are saying." Yet another said "I can't sit straight in a car so I have difficulty." The last said "Yes but it is a good job we can all drive isn't it."!!!!!

Cast aside your prejudice each one of those could have been 20 years old!!!

The point anyone should give up driving is when they are not up to driving safely - whatever their age.

Answer 4

I think that people should drive as long as they are fit to drive.
I think that everyone over the age of 65 should submit a vision exam every year to the DMV as well as reflex and coordination exams. A driven test should be performed every two years.

For younger drivers (18-64), a written and driven test should be done whenever the license needs to be renewed.

Answer 5

i would take an elderly driver on the road over a young driver any day. they should stop, when they are no longer able to pass a road test.

elderly drivers are cautious

young drivers are stupid. they speed and cut people off. they dont respect other drivers.

Answer 6

my grandmother drove until she died at age 98... Not saying it shoudl be that way, cuz they drive those enormous cars and half can barely see over the steering wheel, but I have to say, when their reflexes are not as fast as they used to be, they should not be allowed to drive.. Each day they should get up, have someone kick a ball at them and they day they miss it, or worse, never see it, they probably shouldn't be on the road with me and my young children.. Young drivers....well, I have told my 14 year old that he shouldn't get his license until he can go through an entire day without me telling him to get up, take shower, brush teeth, change underwear, eat, go to school, do school work, stay out of principals office get on bus, come home, do homework, do chores and don't talk back... At this rate, he'll be about 38. Thanks for the question it was fun to think about.

Answer 7

They are equally dangerous. I think you should be 20 yrs old before you should get a license. And 65 - 70 means you need to have someone else drive for you because you really are not as good as you need to be as a safe driver.

Answer 8

I had an 83 year old women hit me and my 7 year old & 7 month old daughters on jan.2nd of this year...my jetta is totaled,my seat was ejected,my back has never stayed the same.my baby got a black eye cause she was drinking her bottle at the time and it got smashed somehow in her face.the police said she was 100% at fault,I believe there needs to be a law.If you retire at 65,no driving past 65.But I do think something needs to be put in place for them.If I wouldn't have turned my car she would have been killed I was told,if I wasn't driving the car I was,we could have been killed.

Answer 9

It should go case by case there are a lot of bad drives out there. Young old and in between. I worry more about the repeat OWI offenders. They drive even after being revoked.

Answer 10

When they drive so slow that other drivers are about ready to run up their tail pipe. God, I hate that! Or when their eyesight goes so bad that they pull out in front of other drivers. That's pretty bad too.