Are elderly drivers dangerous?

Question

The reckless seniors I know were reckless in their youth and have not changed driving habits one iota.

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

Yes! It depends upon the individual, but so far I have not seen one person, aged 65+ that knew the car had the ability to go faster than 35mph. It looks as if they are in an alternate universe where it is always Sunday and in Florida... (no offense to the "Florideans" I just don't know anywhere that a ton of old people migrate to when they know they're going to 'kick it'.)
There was also one lady I saw that didn't know the break could work as fast as you could press it... She was coming out of a parking lot with cars passing in front of her on the main road and she didn't stop her car until half of it was out in the middle of the road! Thank god no one hit her! Seriously though, old people kinda freak me out... Yeah, I know I'll be old too, but that'll take at least 60 years... Plus I hope to go up into the mountains and die somewhere where no one can find me... No nursing home for me! No-sir-ee!!

Answer 3

My dad died at 76 years, he had one vehicle accident in his life. I am 58 and have yet to have a accident while driving a car. My daughter was 26 when she totaled her third car. My point is simply, individuals are individuals and although statistics are available they paint groups with a very wide brush.

Personally the people in business clothes who have a cell phone hanging out of their ear are the ones that scare me. Even eating or drinking coffee doesn't occupy brain cells the way arguing on the telephone does.

I think driving is a full time job and anyone who approaches that way is a very low risk driver, regardless of age, sex, color or any other arbitrary method of grouping people.

Answer 4

there are a mode of Seniors on the line that could want to have stopped utilising earlier. in case you stay in a small city, then you definitely can provide area of the position this guy lives. the finest wager will be to adhere to him and write down his registration code style. also observe something you spot which will be a situation. then you definitely could have something to assert once you bypass to the Police Dept. additionally they are going to favor his license style in the adventure that they are in simple terms going to observe him California regulation says that any diabetic on medicine is subject to having their license pulled. also any Opthalmologist that has a affected individual with low eyesight is had to inform the DMV of that actuality. also, any Senior on any medicine that would cause them to sleepy or sluggish reaction time at the on the spot are not meant to force (yet they nonetheless do).

Answer 5

As a rule the older they get, the worse they drive, I used to do medical tests on them to determine if they could retain their licenses, most of them did not. As they lose alertness, peripheral vision, reflex capacity and short/long term memory, they lose their ability to drive competently. They can become quite menacing.

Answer 6

anyone that doesn't know how to drive properly is dangerous, no matter how old they are. they don't look before backing out of a parking space and they have no consideration for other people on the road.

Answer 7

depends on the individual, varies on a case by case thing including where they live.

Answer 8

yes, can't see, can't hear, to much arthritis to turn the wheel,or turn their neck. shrank from osteo so they have to sit on a pillow to see over the dash, then they can't reach the petals.

Answer 9

yes some are they should do something about them, their horrible drivers

Answer 10

Yes, I think they are.