Do you think older drivers are a risk to others? why?

Question

Age discrimination is'nt fair,but when do we question the reflexes
of aging drivers?

Answer 1

I think at any age, any driver is at risk to everyone. Driving is a hefty responsibility-and should be taken seriously. Young people are easily disstracted-middle aged people seem to have alot of road rage-and the elder generation ( i am talking 70 + ) seem to have slower reflexes.
I think every state should implement periodical driving tests for everyone.
we hear more and more-about "children " and fatalities, in car accidents.I think it definetly should be re-evaluated, as far as the "legal" age of driving goes. First there are alot more vehicles on the road now,and second we seem too be turning into "materialistic" people-as far as faster cars-better looking sporty auto's and who gets to the finish line ie: stop sign-red light etc.
I think any driver over 70-should be tested every six months or yearly-for reflexes-and as well as hearing and sight-I also think that the young generation should also be tested-every six months until 18 or so-for the same thing.
now if the middle aged people could just slow down and smile-and stop the road-rage- i think it would be alot safer out there.
I hope i have given you insight to your question...peace

Answer 2

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 3

Most accidents are caused by people in the 18-25 years old category, and older drivers contrary to popular belief have a pretty low rate of accidents. We seem to have this need to criticise other peoples driving! Not long ago it was women drivers that were targetted as being bad drivers until the statistics showed otherwise. Now it's older people that are copping it.

Answer 4

Older drivers have reflexes quicker than a twinkie on a cell phone or one puttin on makeup or dicking with the stereo. We are also more experienced and usually manage to dodge you as you switch lanes suddenly or run a red light while dialing.

And though race discrimination isn't fair, when do we question the abilities of a certain racial/cultural group ?

Answer 5

In canada when you reach the ripe old age of 80 you must re write your drivers test every two years. So i guess the government considers older folks ok to drive. If your doctor considers you a menace on the road during a check up he/she can revoke your licence. As you get older your reflexes dont get worse, its your driving habbits that get worse. I think everyone should re-test every two years, you would be shocked to see how many people fail.

Answer 6

The failure here is the exams everyone must pass to validate the driving license every five-ten years. These exams are fake, or simply a 'just pay me 60$ n here u got ur new license'.
If the exams be accurate, senses testing n other drills i would trust old drivers, nowadays i cannot. I still remember some1 called at radio weeks ago telling his father, very ill of Parkinson, renewed his driving license the day before...

Answer 7

I think some of them are a risk to others. I think that everyone should have to take the driving test again every 10 years because of law changes and abilities. From about 60 on it should be every 5 years. Some of these people driving know that they shouldn't be out there but they can't let go of their independance.

Answer 8

the COST OF INSURANCE is a measure of how safe each agegroup is. Insurance companies spend a lot on research, otherwise they would be out of business. The most risky drivers are boys under the age of 25.

Answer 9

Yes i do, but how old are you talking, because if you talking about old people yes, because they drive to to slow. They can cause an accident. If you are talking about youg drivers as in older people then yes also to them, because they be speeding and they can have and can cause accidents.

Answer 10

I do lol...only because some of them may be hard of hearing, or sick in some way, so they are more liable to get into an accident.