Should there be an age limit for elderly drivers?
Im thinking yes, most accidents i seen are caused by elderly, they drive way too slow, and some elderly women can’t see over the steering wheel. I also think some of them refuse to let someone else drive for them. It’s scary with them on the road. What do you think?
Tagged with: accidents • elderly women • steering wheel • wheel
Filed under: Presbyopia
Elderly dont cause more accidents but they can be annoying if they drive under the speed limit. I do think that EVERYONE should have to take a driving test periodically no matter what their age. If a person has major vision problems or if they have been diagnosed with advanced dementia, they need to have their driving restricted.
I think that after a certain age people should have to retake the driving part of the test to get their license renewed. Some folks can drive till they are 90 and some folks need to stop a whole lot sooner.
Most accidents are NOT caused by elderly drivers; they are caused by young a#$holes. That’s why under-25 insurance rates are higher.
not in illinois!!! if you would be kind enough to do your research and come back with provable stats to back up your raving!!!
I know some elderly people who are excellent drivers and some who should not drive. Most older people receive their renewal licenses in the mail with no testing. My father was legally blind and got his in the mail so he thought he could drive and he couldn’t and we battled over that. I think a good solution is to require yearly testing behind the wheel after a certain age to determine their ability to drive. If they fail the test, they don’t get their license. However, I don’t think it is fair to deprive all elderly people the right to drive if they pass the test with flying colors!
Nope, some peole are elderly at 20 and others are still young at 70…….
but after a certain age they should have to take the driving test more frequently. Most accidents are not caused by the elderly …..
You better put up or shut up. Stats so not prove what you’re saying.
People age differently and some 16 year olds shouldn’t be let near a vehicle, even 18 and 20 year olds. The same with the elderly. There are 50 year olds that shouldn’t be driving and there are 90 year olds that do just fine. I think there should be driving tests for all and everyone should receive the right to drive based on their test scores…both written and driving tests.
A "refresher" course should be required every so many years.
This would benefit all of us.
I never seen one running around in a foot ball helmet don’t you feel safe any where
Here we go again. This question pops up all the time. It is not, should not, be a one size fits all. I can site as many foolish things young drivers do as you can for us. Like driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. Music so loud they are totally unaware of what is going on around them and dido for cellphones and the beat goes on. shell we ban all young drivers from the road because of this dangerous behavior? As for little old ladies, come on man there are little young ladies behind the wheel also.
I monitor myself. I know I can no longer drive in city rush hour traffic, so I do not. I think the majority of us are wise enough to know and accommodate our limits.
I think the examples you gave are legitimate but I don’t think age has anything to do with it…..some things just take common sense. If you physically or mentally are not able to be behind the wheel, then your license should be taken from you.
Eg. #1 Many young people drive way too fast and I’ve seen some go zooming past me at 140-150 kms/hr when I was going the speed limit which was 100 kms/hr…..and to boot, they gave me the finger because I didn’t pull over for them. Who in that situation shouldn’t be driving?
Eg. #2 Elderly women can’t see over the steering wheel! Is that implying they are too short to drive? My answer to that is if they are too short to drive when they are 80, they were probably too short to drive when they were 18!
Eg. #3 They refuse to let someone drive for them. How often do young people agree to sit in the back seat and let their mom or dad drive for them? They know how to drive…….they want to drive……….seniors are no different.
Eg. #4 How come young people pay about 4 times the annual insurance rate that a senior would?…..and how come seniors get discounts on their insurance once they turn 50?
Seniors are far more conscientious when they are behind the wheel. They don’t have radios or CD’s blaring, they don’t drive with one hand and try to talk or text message with the other hand.
They slow down for Pedestrians and stop so they can cross the road….. they don’t floor it because they know they can get through the intersection before the person walks to that side of the road.
I think it’s pretty scarey being on the road with young people…..not all of them, but the ones that have total disrespect for road rules and safe, courteous driving.
I also think there are some elderly who are on the road who shouldn’t be…that can be scarey as well.
But lets not put an age limit on it………driving is not a right, it’s a privilege and that privilege should be given to those of any age who meet the legal requirements.
Most accidents aren’t caused by the elderly, I Grant some older people shouldn’t be driving, but that goes for some of the young people too, The trouble is some of the young people drive so fast and recklessly , they don’t give the elderly a chance
I guess you got your answer. As and elderly person I don’t drive my truck much. But I drive the heck out of my motorcycle.
I think, like Diane, that EVERYONE should have to pass a real, honest to goodness, prove you can drive test. Not just ‘you know how to steer and press the brake test.
But, I also think they ought arrest everyone who uses there car as a phone booth. So what do I know.
Most accidents are caused by people driving under the influence, weather, and teens. I do believe when someone does reach old age they should take a driving test every year. What do you consider elderly? I hope your talking 75 and up.
Ditto what Puppysyn said.
My Mom is 91 and still drives. She is a very good driver. She no longer drives at night but drives very well during the day. She takes a drivers test every year and passes it with flying colors. I see nothing wrong with this. She has never been in an accident or received a ticket.
Yes, when the demonstrate that they can no longer operate an auto safely. But then I think the same should apply to all drivers. The insurance industry knows who causes the most accidents. And it is not seniors. It is those who ought to be the best drivers, eyes still keen, reactions are faster, hearing is still tops. Who are they? Under 25! Yes older drivers do drive slower. I do but that means I drive at exactly the speed limit, no slower and no faster. I do not change lanes trying to gain a millisecond. I would be happy to take any examination that the state sets up. Oh, by the way, I do not talk on a cell phone while driving.
I think teens are responsible for most of the accidents, aren’t they?
Over 75 should be retested yearly (without fees) to insure they are capable of driving safely.
I want folks to die happy in their sleep, not screaming and yelling like when my grandfather was driving.
Sarge
I’m so sick and tired of the blind, slow, and handicapped ancients driving so screwy. Please get them off the road!