Should elderly people 75 years or older be allowed to obtain a drivers license and operate a motor vehicle???

Question

Think about it for a second before you answer. That's somebody's grand parent we're talking about here.
Have you ever seen an elderly person just barely peering over the steering wheel?

I'm not saying that they shouldn't be in a vehicle... I'm just saying DON"T let them drive because it's VERY unsafe. Unsafe for everyone else.
Has anyone checked the stats to find out how many drivers in America are over the age of 75???
I'd sure like to know...

Answer 1

I think maybe they could get a restricted license...not to drive at dark,night fall...kind of thing...
If they get a ticket for speeding......no second chance.
I have seen many elderly SPEEDING! It is one extreme or the other.....too slow or too fast...

Answer 2

It's not the elderly that are unsafe, its the idiots that have no patience with drivers that are paying attention to the road, going at a safe speed, NOT using a cell phone, NOT talking and showing off to friends. They may have to peer over the wheel, but their eyes are seeing what they should be seeing, and that is what counts! My grandfather drove until he was 97 years old, without ever having an accident or speeding ticket. He voluntarily gave up his license when he had a stroke, and he realized he could possibly be impaired. I see lots of drivers out there driving impaired that would never think that they are bad drivers; eating, smoking, talking, texting, kids climbing all over, dogs jumping all over, think about that for few seconds!

Answer 3

Should elderly people 75 years or older be allowed to obtain a drivers license and operate a motor vehicle???
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I don't see why not. Some 75 year olds are healthy as 40year olds while some 40 year olds are healthy as 75 year olds. Jack Lallane is 93 years old and is much healthier than the average 50 year old. So don't put age into it. There are PLENTY of young and somewhat old BAD drivers out there. I see 100 a day, speeding on the highway, going really slow when the light turns green, running stop signs galore to the point where I can hardly get out of my driveway.

Nothing would make me happier than getting all you idiots off of the road that can't drive worth a $hit!

Answer 4

Has anyone checked the accident stats for young drivers? Most senior drivers qualify for discounts because they are in a low accident group. Most under-21s pay surcharges because they are in a high accident group. Those are proven by statistics kept by each and every insurance company. Yes, there are people that should not be driving, but putting a number is irresponsible and discriminatory. A special I watched on senior drivers showed a couple, both with bad eyesight, get their licences pulled. It also showed a man that just passed a re-test, with flying colours, at 100 years of age. The man still ran a sales route. Tell him he is too old and it is time to park it he will probably drop you in your tracks, and you will deserve it. I had a client that drove safely up to 94 years. My dad drove until he was over 80, then quit on his own. My aunts, on the other hand, were bad drivers in their 40s. I was very happy when one of them gave her car to the church, and another gave her car to me. Safety is not a matter of age, it is a matter of ability and knowledge.

Answer 5

Un safe ??

Elderly drivers get into 80% less accidents than drivers aged 16 to 25.

Maybe we should ban those young drivers instead.

think about it, who causes accidents,

the elderly driver who is driving 5 mph under the speed limit,

or the 21 year old, who just cannot for the life of him, stand driving 5 mph under the speed limit behind the elderly driver,

And decides to illegally pass the elderly driver and hits someone head on ?

Answer 6

Why the arbitrary limit of 75? What magically happens at 75 that makes them unsafe? I believe that they should have a yearly driving test to see if they are still competent, but it is discriminatory to take someone's license merely because of their age. My mother is almost 78 and is still in full possession of her faculties, is still perfectly safe. I would sooner ride with her than a teenager. But when and if I see her start to deteriorate, then I will suggest giving up the keys.

Answer 7

In most developed countries you can only drive to the age of 65 and after that you have to take a driving test every year.

Answer 8

If they can pass the tests, I don't see why not. I would bet quite a bit that your average 75-year old driver is safer than your average 18-year-old male. Do I think 18-year old males should be banned from driving? No, nor do I think 75-year olds be banned.

Answer 9

Some re-testing is probably in order, particularly with cause. But this is a very emotional issue. The loss of a license is the loss of freedom, and many take it as the beginning of the end.

Answer 10

Depends on the old person. I'd rather ride with a 75 year old than a 16 year old.

P.S. I expect you to set the example and turn in your license on your 75th birthday...even if the law hasn't changed. Don't be a hypocrite.

Answer 11

i think if they pass their drivers test than they're okay to drive, if you want to look into statistics, i think drivers 16-19 have about the same or more accidents as those over 75...