Should old people be allowed to drive?

Question

One of them ran over my cat :(

yum yum , old people on the road are a nusance , i know it was an old person who drove over my cat in his 3 weeler , as he came and "apologized" well , he came and had a go at me for having a cat , and then he laughed as he left , im not sure if it is like this with all old people , i want to spade them to death

Answer 1

How about all drivers be retested every five years,after all people no matter how old or young are individuals,I know a lady pilot of 80 yrs who still performs aerobatics,Sorry about your cat,but do you also feel sorry for the pheasants,rabbits,hedgehogs,pedestrians that are run over by drivers of all ages.Merry Christmas and a Happy Safe New Year.

Answer 2

Yes, I think they should be able to drive although after a certain age say 60 they should have to take a test to see if they have the same reaction speed as a 25 year old driver. Some drivers at 60+ drive better than some younger drivers however the role can be reversed and you can find that some younger drivers drive much better than older drivers. I hope that your cat is okay as you havent informed us of any death. Also could your cat not be in the wrong and not the driver? I dont want to judge but the info you have supplied is not enough to give a 100% either way answer I am afraid.

Answer 3

It's funny that you should say that as a report in the nationals suggest that as 85% of all deaths and accidents are caused by drivers with less than 20 driving experience that drivers who fall into this catigory should display warning plates. I think that that is a good idea don't you? Just think of all those men women and children that would be walking around next year that might be dead or injured? Well done for bringing this up. I am going to give you 10 points.

Answer 4

People who have the necessary abilities should be allowed to drive, but that would rule out some younger drivers as well. Some old people are indeed a menace on the road and it is about time that the ability of ALL drivers was tested regularly

Answer 5

Statistics show that most accidents are caused by male drivers under 25, and young females are catching up.

There are useless drivers of all ages, but the facts speak for themselves. Personally I'd accept regular retesting of all ages, tho' how that'd be achieved will be a nightmare.

Sorry to hear about your cat, but it could equally have been some juvenile lame-brain in his badly tarted up Saxo, I'm afraid.

Answer 6

I suppose a flip answer would be, "should young people be allowed to drive", considering that they cause 75% of the accidents. The acid test should be based on individual ability, not age.

I also I don't understand why people automatically assume that passing a further test would mean that you are fit to drive. All young people have passed a test, but they still cause a lot of accidents. Shouldn't a persons driving record be taken into account?

Answer 7

At 70 you already need to renew your driving license every 3 years providing you meet minimum health requirements.

Perhaps there needs to be a more rigourous medical needed to prove you are fit enough to renew your license? And maybe a test of your reactions.

It does seem that some people think you can compensate for basic skills and reactions by driving slowly. Yes driving too fast causes a hazard, but driving too slowly can cause a hazard too!

Answer 8

How old would you say is 'old'?

Where would you draw the line?

I think that so long as the driver can see and hear adequately and has all their marbles that they should be allowed to drive. I think that raising the age for obtaining a driving licence to 21 might have a more positive effect on the number of road accidents but that would be equally unfair and impossible to impose.

Answer 9

I think at around 65 you should have to have at least a basic eye/coordination test yearly..I work in a hospital and see elderly people come in all the time who can barley walk and don't have all of their wits about them. When they leave they slowly get into their huge Cadillac or whatever and drive off..

As for insurance company statistics they are not fully correct...Younger drivers are in more accidents because they are more 18 year olds on the road than there are 80 year olds..

Answer 10

NO that is just discrimination, I believe if you are over 80, you should be required to take a second driving test and if you pass, they can't keep you off the road.