Smart Motorist

In the next 20 years the number of elderly drivers (persons 70 & over) is predicted to triple in the United States. As age increases, older drivers generally become more conservative on the road. Many mature drivers modify their driving habits (for instance to avoid busy highways or night-time driving) to match their declining capabilities. However, statistics show that older drivers are more likely than younger ones to be involved in multi-vehicle crashes, particularly at intersections.

Research on age-related driving concerns has shown that at around the age of 65 drivers face an increased risk of being involved in a vehicle crash. After the age of 75, the risk of driver fatality increases sharply, because older drivers are more vulnerable to both crash-related injury and death. Three behavioral factors in particular may contribute to these statistics: poor judgement in making left-hand turns; drifting within the traffic lane; and decreased ability to change behavior in response to an unexpected or rapidly changing situation.

Concern about the increased number of older drivers and their potentially decreased driving abilities is growing, especially among younger drivers. Statistics, based on all people injured or killed in traffic crashes, indicate that older drivers are at a disproportionate risk for becoming involved in fatal crashes. A NHTSA study of 1995 FARS (Fatal Accident Reporting System) data reports that senior citizens accounted for:

• 5% of all people injured in traffic crashes
• 13% of all traffic fatalities
• 13% of all vehicle occupant fatalities
• 18% of all pedestrian fatalities

In a 1997 NHTSA study, older people made up 9 percent of the population but accounted for 14 percent of all traffic fatalities and 17 percent of all pedestrian fatalities. NHTSA's "Traffic Safety Facts 1997: Older Population" (DOT HS 808 769) reports that:

• In 1997, more than 24 million people in the United States were over 70 years of age.
• Representing 9 percent of the population in 1997, the 70-and-older age group grew 2.1 times faster from 1987 to 1997 than the total population.
• In 1986 older drivers were 7 percent of licensed drivers; in 1996 they were 19 percent of licensed drivers.
• Of traffic fatalities involving older drivers, 82 percent happened in the daytime, 71 percent occurred on weekdays, and 75 percent involved a second vehicle.
• When a crash involved an older driver and a younger driver, the older driver was 3 times as likely as the younger driver to be the one struck. Moreover, 28 percent of crash-involved older drivers were turning left when they were struck-- 7 times more often than younger drivers were struck while making left turns.
• Older drivers involved in fatal crashes and fatally injured older pedestrians claimed the lowest proportion of intoxication--defined as a blood alcohol concentration of 0.10 grams per deciliter or higher.
• While only 55 percent of adult vehicle occupants (ages 18 to 69) involved in fatal crashes were using restraints at the time of the crash, 70 percent of fatal- crash-involved older occupants were using restraints.
• "On the basis of estimated annual travel, the fatality rate for drivers 85 and over is nine times as high as the rate for drivers 25 through 69 years old."

Statistics show that in two-vehicle fatal crashes involving an older and a younger driver, it is 3.1 times as likely that the vehicle driven by the older person will be struck. In 27% of these two-vehicle fatal crashes the older driver was turning left. Drivers over 65, along with new teen-age drivers, have the highest accident rates per miles driven. Another NHTSA study found that on the basis of estimated annual travel, the fatality rate for drivers 85 and over is nine times as high as the rate for drivers 25 through 69 years old.

Lawrence Nitz, a political scientist from the University of Hawaii, conducted a three-year study of Hawaiian traffic records and found that drivers over 75 were far more likely than other motorists to be cited for certain offenses, including failing to yield to pedestrians, backing up unsafely and failing to stop at a flashing red light.

What is being done to address the problem?

Mandatory driving tests - California, which requires retesting for anyone involved in a fatal crash or three or more crashes in one year, requires drivers over 70 to retest if they are involved in two or more crashes in one year. Proposals in several other states to toughen licensing requirements for older drivers have been thwarted by senior-citizen lobbying groups (AARP & others), who say age-based measures are discriminatory. They claim that a person's chronological age is not an accurate predictor of driving ability. The lobbyists argue that if seniors are forced to take mandatory roadtests in the absence of an incident, other age groups should be required to take them as well.

Deficit reporting laws - Pennsylvania is one state that has a physician's reporting law, requiring physicians to report disabilities that may affect driving ability. Some physicians, however, are reluctant to jeopardize their relationship with a patient by making such a referral. Most other states do not require physicians to report psychomotor, visual, and cognitive deficiencies that may affect drivingto licensing agencies.

What else can be done?

• Deficit screening - Screening could be given to all drivers for whom age-related decline is suspected and whose performance is viewed as a safety concern for themselves and other motorists. In addition, health professionals and others who work with older populations could administer the tests. Screening could become a part of the regular process of license renewal. By reducing testing time, drivers could be quickly screened and identified either as capable, or as in need of further testing.

• Crash statistics - DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) and insurance company records can help identify high-risk older drivers. In addition to crash counts, the details of the crash (roadway condition, time of day, location, fault) are important. Some crash patterns (e.g., the driver stopped in the middle of the roadway) may be better predictors of future crashes than others. Given that many older drivers involved in crashes have never had a crash before and may not have another one during the following year, crash records will identify only a few high-risk older drivers. However, crash statistics may be an important part of a comprehensive program to identify high-risk older drivers.

What can you do? - You may wonder about older friends and family members' performance on the road. You want to support their continued mobility but on the other hand you worry about their driving abilities. Unfortunately we don't all retain the ability to drive a car throughout our lifetime. Physical disabilities, mental illness, medications, loss of vision, or frailty can end anyone's driving career prematurely. Before you bring up the subject, keep in mind that the thought of losing a driver's license is very disturbing to most older people. Americans rely upon their cars to get to work, go to the doctor, go shopping, and visit their friends and relatives. The elderly equate losing their driving privileges with being dependent, feeling trapped, perhaps losing choice, control, and spontaneity in life. Discussing driving skill with an older person requires great diplomacy.

AgeQuest, a specialty firm addressing the training needs of professionals in the field of aging, older adults, and family caregivers, suggests in its publication "Supporting the Mature Driver" that the decline of skills necessary for safe driving sometimes occurs suddenly or subtly. Signs may include a pattern of close calls, violations or collisions, increasing difficulty in noticing pedestrians, signs, objects, or other vehicles; an observable decline in physical abilities; or a rapid onset of fatigue from driving.

Older drivers need to be aware that medications can significantly impair their driving by making them drowsy or distracted. Physicians and pharmacists should be consulted before starting new medications, to see if the drug can affect the ability to drive. Since side effects are often worse for the first few days of a new medication, people should avoid driving until they know exactly how a new drug affects them. If any medication causes sleepiness or disorientation, someone else should do the driving.

Eyes change with age. They lose the ability to focus quickly. Peripheral vision narrows and the retina becomes less sensitive to light. Physical activity is needed to keep a person strong and flexible for those quick reactions needed while driving. To be a safe driver, paying attention to road conditions and your own body changes is essential. A person's chronological age is not an absolute predictor of driving ability, but its impact should not be denied. Ultimately, however, what counts on the road is performance.

 

Comments

Amanda  - What ever! |2008-05-14 15:54:41 i think that the elderly shouldnt have to take their licenses over because they may be old but they are still human and they want to drive just as much as any person who drives! so i think they shouldnt have to retake their test! 20   67

Andrew  - Elderly Driving |2008-05-18 23:34:53 This isn't an attack on the elderly, it's just a topic on how to keep our roads safe. It's been proven that as people get older, they develop diseases and physically degenerate (eyes, reaction time, etc.) We're not saying, "let's take all the old farts licenses away because they drive slow!" We're saying let's test them to make sure that they are still safe drivers. I think you'd think differently if you were the victim in an accident because the elderly man or woman that crashed into you couldn't see or brake in time. 55   7

Ben  - Not age discrimination |2008-06-01 22:23:57 It is a proven fact that the elderly tend to have physical and mental disadvantages as they age, therefore, it would be wise to retest their driving skills before letting them on the road with a potential for accidents. 37   10

Noreen  - Father in Law |2008-06-17 22:39:24 I know the elderly resent the scrutiny involved in this situation but it should be recognized that many of them should not be driving. My father in law can barely walk, has trouble following a conversation, falls asleep at the drop of a hat, has serious reaction time issues and yet he is still driving. He is in a state that doesn't have any requirement (not even eye exams) for license renewal and frankly I'm afraid he's going to kill himself or someone else. I think once you hit 70 you should be tested every 2 years (on an enclosed driving track) Not eveyone should be driving. 25   6

sarah  - strange |2008-06-25 15:15:09 I think that old people shudnt be allowed to drive because they are a danger to the roads and they cause alot of crashes i think that they should give up when they get to 70 because the elderly get free travel on the public transport anyway i think that old people shudnt drive !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11 15   20

Samantha  - The other guy! |2008-07-02 23:03:03 I am the victom of a elderly car crash an 80 year old man took a left hand turn right in front of me on a high way. He was following a SUV and didnt stop to see if he was clear to turn. I broke my foot and dislocated it in three places, my boyfriend broke his leg and his right foot was ejected out the windshield. I lost every thing! The ability to walk, my car,job, apartment, and I still have sever pain and artheritus in my foot. He didnt even get a ticket for causing the accident. I think you will sing a different tune when it happens to you! This topic is important to me and all of the people that will be driving in the next ten years. The baby boomers will be about 70 then and will make up a large number of the motorist that will inhabit our streets! 24   5

roxanne  - Amanda-wake up and smell the coffee |2008-07-23 22:19:03 unfortunatley getting old does bring up many issues especially about driving. Tell me you haven't seen elderly people crossing the middle line, cut in front of traffic or almost hit another car. Elderly people tend to lose thier motor skills, cognition, eye sight and thier hearing which makes them more vulnerable to getting into an accident. So, in your opinion, your going to say "let them drive because they want to and they like to drive" Think about the consequences of your statement. It is proven that as people get older (65+), they cause more accidents and fatalities. They need to be retested to make sure that they can drive safely on the streets. I don't know why you wouldn't want that for one of your loved ones. that is what is wrong with this world...it is called IGNORANCE!!!!!!! 12   5

Heather  - Accept it! |2008-07-25 04:17:35 I've been actively avoiding tragedy from elderly drivers for 35 years and it's only going to get worse with the aging of the baby boomers. Why fight it? Instead, we should embrace our American flare for independence and create a form of bumper/smart car and then designate or create lanes specifically for elderly, beginning, or otherwise impaired, drivers' use, should they choose. It would take years, but we do it for bicycles! We need to stop trying to control other people from our fear, and figure out how to deal with reality. 5   22

Chris  - Agree- test over the age of 70! |2008-07-31 00:32:56 I am in absolute agreement with many others on this board. My Mother was recently rear-ended at a red light by a 94 year old man. It seemed to be minor so Mom turned in to the nearest parking lot and waived him to come in too. He just kept on going and never did stop. Luckily, she was able to write down the license number and called the police. When they went to talk to the man, he didn't even know he hit her and didn't see her wave him in the lot. Nobody was hurt thankfully but it did cause 00 damage to her bumper. Another situation recently in our town. A teen driver was sideswiped by an elderly person. He was waiting in the middle of an intersection to turn left and the elder, who was in the through lane, decided half way through the intersection to turn left. So he turned, and turned right into the car waiting to turn that was in the correct lane. The teen then followed the elder to KMart (go figure) and the elder didn't even know he hit the teen's car and was trying to say that the teen turned in front of him. I live in a state where elderly driving legislation will NEVER pass as the demographics are heavily senior. But it HAS to be considered in every state. 19   4

casey  - talk to my grandmother |2008-08-27 19:07:38 i cant agree more! my grandmother is 64 and it almost seems like her brain is dying. she has gotten so slow with everything. she can barley get my name right half the time. someone needs to bring this topic to justice. 12   7

Boomer  - elderly driving |2008-10-13 16:24:47 some elderly people may know how to drive well and others may not. my grandfather only has one eye and he drives better than most people i know. i think they should be able to keep their liscences. 5   9

adam  - elderly driving |2008-10-19 21:27:48 I agree completely with this subject, there is still many older drivers (65+) on the roads who are safe and are still able to drive carefully and whos reaction times, eyes and hearing havent yet deteriated. However, there are also many older drivers who arent as quick with their reactions or eyesight and who are still driving, i think this is very selfish because they are not only putting themselves at risk but also other innocent drivers. I realise it is not their fault and they still wish to drive but it is dangerous and after all the data and statistics i have seen on the matter i have come to the conclusion that elderly drivers cause a large percentage of accidents on our roads. Many older drivers realise they cannot drive as well as they used to. Some decide to drive only during the daytime and on quiet roads. These are the rational, sensible ones. As for being tested every 2-3 years after the age of 70, i think is a very good idea because there are older people out there who are still capable of driving sensibly. This will also cut down on the amount of elderly drivers who arent capable of this and will help to make our roads safer. 8   3

Amanda  - elderly drivers |2008-10-20 17:59:36 It's not age discrimination. Just like we all had to take driving tests to get our licenses, we should all have to continue taking tests to make sure that we are still mentally and physically capable of being able to drive safe. You don't let your friend get in the car and drive after 10 beers do you? Then why would you let someone who can barely hear and/or see drive? When people get older their response time declines, and should be tested in my opinion at least every year. 10   4

kalesss :] ( im only 13)  - elderly drivers |2008-10-23 01:18:28 i agree completely. its not that old people arent responsible, it's just that they cant see as well anymore and the cant turn their neck to see if other people are coming :] 8   3

Tess  - On my way to work this morning |2008-10-24 04:30:32 I was t-boned by an 82 year old woman who didn't see her light turn red even though it was a 2 lane highway and everyone else was stopped...she ran right into me and i'm fortunate that i am able to type this right now. Thanks for plastic cars lol...she had plenty of obvious clues that she should be stopped such as the traffic in the intersection and the lanes of stopped traffic and lets not forget the big red light!! I work for an optometrist and see elders coming in all of the time with their cataracts and retinal issues and they all drive themselves there. There's nothing we can do if they wear their glasses and can be corrected to 20/40. Pennsylvania does require doctors to notify Penndot if there are medical condition that could cause problems. I have a friends who's mother has alzhiemers and the doctor says she can drive even though my friend has told the doctor that she thinks she should no longer be driving. I will be making my voice heard in this matter. mandatory physical road driving every 4 years after the age of 60. no closed courses. that doesn't demonstrate ones ability to drive in the real world with others on the road. 8   2

Aly  - I work with them. |2008-10-24 17:19:24 I work at a retirement home and I have seen the elderly there get in accidents with their WALKERS. They constantly crash into each other with their walkers and get their wheels and handlebars and oxygen tubes tangled up. I can't even fathom how they would do behind the wheel of a car. 5   5

Loren  - Elderly drivers |2008-10-30 03:15:44 Driving is not a right it's a privilege. Those who can't do it safely any more can and should have they're license revoked. Not having to pay for gas and insurance would open up the possibility of them to take a cab or bus were ever they need to go. 7   2

San  - new laws needed |2008-11-04 21:24:19 Their is nothing at all wrong with having more extensive testing for the elderly. I'm all for it. It has nothing to do with age discrimination. Come on give me a break. It's all about feeling safe on the road. I'm not trying to condemn all elderly. I mean their are some who are in great shape and have all of their mental capacities. But then their are some who just shouldn't be behind the wheel. You wouldn't give a kid a loaded gun to play with, would you? 6   3

julia  - writing a paper on elderly driving |2008-11-11 01:09:12 i totally agree with passing a law to enforce safer conditions on the road. Nothing against the elderly, but everyone had to take a test to start driving and we should all have to take more when we get older to ensure the safety of ourselves and others on the road. I say elderly drivers should be requried to take a test at the age of 65+ every 4 years to keep the peace on the road. And this is with the permission of their doctors that they are capable to drive both physically and mentally. It's just common sense. 10   2

Jenny  - it's not phasing- it's wise |2008-11-13 18:53:24 anyone who drives or rides in a car...(oh i guess that's just about everyone) can look around and see either the effects or the dangers of elderly driving. i think the real issue here is not just the accidents and the problems caused by SOME senior citizens on the road, but the ignorance shown by those who say it isn't a problem or that it is stereotypical to accuse senior citizens of being bad drivers. yes of course not all senior citizens are bad drivers but those who are should be at the least re tested and at the most deprived of their license. let us open our eyes to the real problem at hand: statistics are fact, not personal opinion and you cannot deny the facts that senior citizen drivers can be dangerous behind the wheel. only those who are bad drivers will be punished so those who are abiding the laws and driving safely will be free to do so, regardless of age. 4   6

shani  - im writing a paper too!! nd i agree |2008-11-17 09:30:05 its definately not age discrimination. thats kinda like saying if a person was diagnosed with a fatal condition and thinks, well i dont have to take this much medication, because not everyone with my condition dies. what!!?? thats just not smart!! its a proven fact that as you get older your reflexes, and your sight, hearing, etc. all get a little less then perfect so why take that risk. i mean their just a few tests, and its not like were trying to yank licenses from them entirely, were just trying to make sure that they are both mentally and physically capable to be driving, safely 2   3

marcia  - I agree but take it further |2008-11-30 05:51:20 I agree 65+ should be retested every 4 years. A gradutate lic. should be given so older drivers can maintain some independence.But if we are really concerned with public saftey, then a driving test every 10 years for those ages 25-65 and make the insurance company lower rates for all those people who pass. 2   2

tomd  - You all are making good points, but... |2008-12-08 22:41:08 I am a retired police officer age 59 with no accidents or citations, ever. I have seen and investigate hundreds of accidents over the years and all ages and situations were involved. Probably 30% of all the drivers on the road today should not be there. I also believe that the elderly drivers should be tested frequently, I'm talking about annually, at any age someones health, awareness and reaction time can change. I live in Arizona and was appalled that when I got my license here it was for many years, too many, without having to get a vision test or reaction time test. Most of the accidents I see involving elderly drivers has nothing to do with speed. It's bad judgement or confusion. Just two days ago an 85 year old woman turned into the oncoming lane of a 4 lane road and hit a couple on a motorcycle killing them both. She refused medical treatment at the scene. About a month ago an 82 year old woman drove through the wall and into our local post office. This type of thing happens all the time in this country. Now for the other side of my 'gripe' if you will. I see young drivers today doing things that scare me seriously. I'm talking about the 20 to 35 year olds who are driving down the road, texting which by yhe way caused an 18 year old gorl to cross the center line and hit another car headon recently in Phoenix killing everyone aboard buth vehicles,, talking on on the cell, putting on make up and eye liner using BOTH hands!, tailgating, driving aggressivly (usually because some old person is slowing them down), driving in the fast lane too slowly and don't even notice the 4 or 5 cars behind them who would really like it if they pulled over to let them by. I could go on and on. Any one who reads this and drives a vehicle, the next time you get in your car, start it up and pull out onto the road , remember that somewhere out the someone else idoing the same thing and is going to try to kill you. Drive defensivly and pay attention to everything that is going on around you. If you see something happening first you can probably avoid it. God Bless...tomd in AZ. 11   2

Lenyce Bernard  - Im writing a paper also!!!!! |2008-12-10 22:04:13 It's not an elderly attack it is just wise. All elderly people should take the test over because some elderly people senses get weak and cannot keep up on what's going on. 5   2

Georgia  - My opinion for my coursework!!! |2008-12-12 12:02:54 I believe that elderly drivers should be re-tested at a certain age but should not have their liscenses taken off them at that age because some may be able to see and drive perfectly fine. Having a re test and maybe a sign in the car saying elderly driver would help them and the community. Elderly people should not be treated differently and it is not their fault. I think that after a test they should be fine and be able to drive freely. Although many crashes and deaths may be casued by them, young people are just as much to blame and a higher majority of crashes are caused by younger drivers. If the elderly people that are tested are not fit to drive then they should not but a test is the best way to find out and to make the roads safer. That is just my opinion and i am sure that many of you will agree or disagree, but you must be able to see some idea in the suggestions that i have put orward to you. I do not believe that it is age discrminiation as it is helping us to stay safter and stop the crashes, injuries and deaths caused by unsafe elderly drivers. Thank you for reading. 3   1

Wayne  - Not a Right but a Privilege |2008-12-20 00:10:14 Remember, I think it is importatn to point out that no one has the "right to drive", regardless of age. Driving is a privilege and as such you need to earn that privilege. No law states everyone has the "right" to drive. Everyone over 70 years of age, buck up. I won't let my kids drive with my 80 year old mother and she still doesn't get it. She disregards signaling a lane change or yielding in any situation. Over 70? Take a road test, if anyone dares to go with you. Reminds me of the joke "My father died peacefully in his sleep...not like the others in his car who were screaming." 3   5

Otto  - Driving Ms Daisy |2009-01-03 18:01:55 I found this web page while searching for info on laws about the elderly driving. I agree with Tomd on the driving abilities of all ages. My car was hit in the parking lot of the local grocery store by a woman in her 80s two days ago. I was stopped directly behind her waiting for a space to be vacated when she backed into me doing minimal damage. I parked and got out to exchange papers only to see her heading out of the lot. I ran after and got the license # and called the cops. The cop smiled when he took my statement and asked if I wanted to charge an old woman with the hit and run. He dropped by her house and she called me at first denying she ever hit me. Then when I calmly said that was fine and that we will let the insurance people handle it she then offered to pay in order to avoid the points on her insurance. Interesting response from an innocent party I thought. While she may be confused, she is evidently not stupid. Ms Daisy dropped by this morning because she wanted to take pictures of the damage. She continued to waver back and forth from claiming innocence of everything to dismissing the damage as not worth worrying about. She even brought alcohol swabs to wipe away the mark and I really had to vigorously tell her to stop touching my car to avoid further damage. Breathe deep - ok, after letting that out, my main concern is that after meeting Ms Daisy I know now she is not capable of properly driving a car. She is too short to see out the back window. She is confused and loses focus while talking which leads me to believe she loses it while driving. I fear the next time she backs up it won't be my 2,000 LB car she hits but a child. There should be testing for all throughout our entire lives, not just when elderly. 10   3

Lawndale  - I'm am too doing a Paper!!! |2009-01-09 08:11:37 I read every ones comments and i too agree that the elderly should re-take a test for their vision and driving skills because we all no that the elderly are a major hazard to us all on the road and they can seriously hurt us on and off the road. 6   3

Carol  - Curious |2009-01-28 03:55:30 I agree that not "everyone" should be out there on the roads driving. But when I read some of these comments from the younger people who automatically think that a person should not be driving after a certain age: Well, let's fast forward many years and see what THEIR opinion will be when THEY get to be that age!! I just bet that most of them will change their tune! 3   5

Minnesota Molly  - One of the Elders |2009-02-03 17:52:00 I can see testing the driving abilities annually or every 2 years after, lets say, 70.....But I also think that we should test the youngest drivers for the same thing......Once they get their license, some of them through caution to the wind and speed, tailgate, and as TomD said they are texting, talking on the cell phones, putting on make-up or showing off (if there are others in the car)... They put others in peril with no regard for anyone but themselves....So, until age 30, all drivers should have to take a road test on an annual basis.... 2   2

Ry Ry  - Straight Up Dusty |2009-02-06 13:50:07 Ok, Carol, I disagree. Old people are terrible drivers. And if they're not, then what's the problem with taking a simple drivers test, testing things like their vision, and reaction timing. I personally find nothing wrong with the elderly taking a second test if that means there are less accidents occuring on the roads. I may be 17, but I'm not hating on the elderly, everyone has the right to drive their vehicles. 2   1

tara  - the elderly should not drive |2009-02-12 02:38:52 i think they casue alot of problems on the road my mother has alot of problems with them bumping in to her and so forth..but they should be tested at the age of 60 because not all r bad drivers! 1   2

kgirl  - eledrly should not drive for certain reasons |2009-03-07 13:47:11 i think the elderly should not drive but i do know there are some older people that can drive well. Thats why we should just send them in every year to take a driving test and if they pass they can drive if they dont no more driving for them. 2   2

Ashley  - RE: whatever |2009-03-13 19:00:49 yes we understand that elders are still humans but retaking the drivers test doesnt nessicarily mean they cant drive they are just tkig the test...DUH!! and if they dont have fast enough reflexes or cant determine time spaces between things they shouldnt be driving b/c they are a major hazard to everyne around them....retaking the drivers test doesnt mean they cant drive...old people enjoy to drive yes but some of them are so old they dont need to have their drivers license anymore because they cause accident and are hazardous to other drivers and cause other around them to get frusterated because they are driving to slow and that could cause someone to try and pass them and that caould cause an accident.... 4   3

rhonda  - my dad |2009-04-29 17:49:05 my dad was sitting at a stop sign waiting for traffic to clear when he was bulldozed over by a 70 year old woman. she was on meds and didn't have any business on the road. We as a country need to protect ourselves when on the road. too many stupid drivers already exist. the elderly need to have stricter laws when renewing their drivers' licenses...... 0   1

John  - Elderly Drivers |2009-05-07 23:52:44 I agree with this and think that every state should make their elderly retest, because I live in North Dakota and they are always driving the wrong way on one way streets and I also seen them get into crashes and say they weren't at fault. they shouldn't be driving if they can't pass the test. 0   1

201341018  - MY OPINION... |2009-05-13 15:58:20 Hello. I am a senior citizen who KNOWS about all these dire effects occuring on Earth. I just don't know why people will not allow the elderly to have the freedom they want as by not allowing us to do anything we wish by driving cars its as if we are banned to do things as well as working for the country and playing my part in making it a bettter place to be in the UK is not nice on how people will want to ban us from driving as one day they will be in the same position as us. 1   0

Eric  - You don't know until it happens to you |2009-05-13 17:49:25 I was just in an accident 2 days ago, 5/11/09, with a lady that was 90 years old. She was using a center turning lane as a traffic lane. According to witnesses and the officers taking the report she did not see me, from over 600+ feet away. She never broke or anything. I did see her and tried to move out of the way. I could not get out of the way because of traffic. The only thing that saved me and didn't make it any worse was I had turned my car a bit. All that happened was she still hit me at 35-40 mph but she ricocheted off me. She never used the brakes. No skid marks or anything. She still caused about 00 damage to my car. This could have been much worse. I could either be seriously injured or she could have been killed. So people saying that making people of a certain age prove they can drive is not discriminatory its safety. Safety for them and the other people that are driving on the roads with them. We had to prove that we could drive get our licenses and at a certain age we should prove we can still perform at a safe level. If not well there is always public transportation. 0   2

SKM  - They need to test every year! |2009-05-15 20:59:35 It's simply a fact - sad, but a fact- that as we age, our physical abilities decline. There are very few exceptions to this rule. My co-worker is married to a 95-year-old man who thinks his driving is just peachy, when, in fact, he runs red lights, stop signs, drives in two lanes at one time without realizing it, and literally cannot hear. He accidentally drove over his own foot and broke it because he failed to put the car in park before getting out. She refuses to ride in any car he's driving and it's a real source of conflict between them. It's nothing personal. Inexperienced drivers have issues (I personally got in an accident less than six months after I got my license because I didn't look carefully before backing out.), drunk drivers have issues, physically limited people have issues. To say it's discrimination against the aged is ridiculous. People need to stop being so sensitive and start being sensible. 1   1

bob  - senior citizens driving |2009-05-18 20:59:50 i almost got ran off the road by an old person because she couldn't see me! they should get retested! 0   2

nick  - common sense! stop the car! |2009-05-26 19:52:23 whatdoya know... i'm writing a paper too! well... i completely agree with drivers needing to take tests for driving. in madison i watched as the senior in front of me veered across all three lanes at once! he didnt even have his blinker on! common sense! you dont drive well! 1   1

Emily  - I'm doing my coursework on Should the Elderly be |2009-06-03 15:50:08 I really agree, I have only just started my paper but already most of the evidence points to the fact that many elderly drivers fail to drive as well as others that are younger. Their reaction times, eyes sight and and just general problems are a hazard to other drivers. By having such problems puts them at a disadvantage. I'm not being discriminate to the elderly, I just think that they should have to take medical tests to be able to drive. My nan struggles to drive - sometimes even forgetting to indicate. I worry that she could cause an accident. But my grandad, who is older, is one of the best drivers I know. The facts are simple to see: the elderly are older and will suffer more problems but should be able to drive. 4   1

Ivars Piens  - Driving with age |2009-06-05 23:39:26 I had my first accident at age 69. It was not my fault, but I realized I may have slowed down. So I joined the BMW Car Club High performance driving schools. By now, I am signed off for solo driving on the New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Watkins Glen International Raceway, Lime Rock Park, but not quite yet at Circuit Mt. Tremblant in Canada. In ten years, I have had one serious spinout with financial consequences. I will review my future activities next year - at my 80th birthday! 3   0

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