Should older people have to be recertified to keep their driver's license? What age? Or just have it revoked all together?
My best friend was in a bad accident do to a senior that could barely see and had the reflexes of a dead cat. What do you think?
2006-08-28 06:20:07 · 13 answers · asked by Mark J 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
I think they should be tested every six months (free of charge, of course). Most of the time, by the time a person is unable to drive safely, they're retired anyway, so why should it be a big deal for them to drive to their local DMV twice a year?
My grandfather is 80 years old and should definitely NOT have a drivers license. But what can be done?? The other day he ran completely off the road on the freeway. I don't mean just right across the rumble strips on the median, then came back into the lane...I mean he ran OFF the road, into the grass. My sister was with him in the car and she asked him if he was OK, and he mumbled something about avoiding a car that was in his lane. There was a car, but it was probably 30 feet back, directly behind him.
I think when it comes to driving, that's the last thing that many old people think they're in control of. They might be losing their hearing, lost some (or all) of their teeth, lost their job (due to retirement), lost their home because they were more comfortable in one of those retirement communities, losing control of their hands or other joints (arthiritis), losing their bladders (wearing Depends), are losing their vision (not blind, but a new, stronger prescription every year), so they think that driving is the ONE thing they have left, but they don't realize that they really aren't doing so well on the roads anymore.
2006-08-28 06:57:47 · answer #1 · answered by brevejunkie 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Being one living in Florida, the geriatric state, I say without a doubt that all older people, say from the age of 60 (though I doubt anyone that young would have any problems driving, but you've got to start somewhere) should have to take a behind-the-wheel driving test every 5 years, then every 3 years after the age of 70. My crazy, manipulative grandmother actually convinced the DMV to renew her license even though she couldn't even see past her hood. They didn't know this becuase they didn't make her take a behind-the-wheel test! I believe she renewed by mail, and this was when she was about 85!!!!!! She would drive 80 mph down the road, and drove through a median with a ditch and through the other side without knowing what happened! My mom was always scared for me and didn't want me riding with her. My grandmother never did think she was anything but God's gift to driving.
2006-08-28 13:31:12 · answer #2 · answered by debbie 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Wrll, having it recertified would be a good idea, because some might not be capable of driving, with health complications and inability to see well at an older age. revoking is a little harsh because some senior citizens are in good health and are still able to drive.
2006-08-28 13:34:03 · answer #3 · answered by babychi 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
most of them shouldn't. after you reach age 65 you should have to get recertified... that means take the written and physical driving tests say about every three years. some older people are very mentally capable of driving but have lost their ability to physically control themselves, others lose their mind before their body and those are the scary ones, the ones you are afraid to pass cause they are goin 80 with their blinker on and swerving like they're drunk.
2006-08-28 13:30:25 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Every 5 years, EVERYONE should be recertified. I bet a lot of people would be without a license that way.
2006-08-28 13:23:30 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I believe they should need to recertify at least every year after 60.
Its not harsh, but EVERY single accident I have "almost" had was due to an eldery person (and I'm 22).
2006-08-28 13:27:35 · answer #6 · answered by LoveMyPitBull84 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No way. Sorry about your friend but like all anecdotes it is merely that...an anecdote. A close friend of a member of my family accidentally ran over his own son, fatally, but that doesn't mean all people who have sons should be treated as though they are incompetent.
Granted, if an individual - young or old - exhibits hazardous driving common sense should prevail. But to summarily say that 'seniors' should be denied the driving privilege is wrong.
2006-08-28 13:38:57 · answer #7 · answered by Beejee 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think there should be a law stating that everyone over 65 is prohibited from driving.
2006-08-28 13:24:35 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If they can see over the stearing wheel, pass a driving test, and eye exam, sure let them drive, If not then ride the bus!
2006-08-28 13:26:43 · answer #9 · answered by kaseyinjax 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think they should have to get their license renewed and have to take an eye test every year or two after 65, maybe even 60
2006-08-28 13:25:39 · answer #10 · answered by Niecy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋