Should There Be A Cut-Off Age For Older Drivers?

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Angel

♥"Concrete Angel"♥
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I am aware of the issues about slower drivers in another thread is being discussed and I was wondering if there should be an age when older people lose their driving priveleges?....

I am quite aware that there are laws out there, with different laws enacted from state to state here in America and likewise, different in other countries too....such laws that requires minimum speed limit, testings from time to time, restrict driving to the daytime only....etc. Is more needed to be done like taking their driving priveleges when they reach a certain age?

There were quite a few times when I would be driving in a 35 mph zone when a car in front of me was driving between 15 to 20 mph....sometimes she/he would stop suddenly for no reason which could have caused a serious accident by harming or killing one of us....I do feel that there should be a cut-off age where their driving priveleges be taken away that would greatly reduce the number of accidents involved by older drivers yet at the same time , at that cut-off age, if a particular old person could prove that they are more than capable of passing the minimum driving requirements then they should be allowed to continue driving....

Please express your views and opinions without attacking one another! :)
 
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Well, Depends on how well they can see, respond to quick-reaction time.

My grandfather will be 87 years old soon.. and he still drives just good as other drivers.. he normally drive 5 mph over the limit sometimes he just follow the same speed limit. he's still a good driver..

However, he doesn't drive much because he's getting more weak..

Anyway, my option that if they pass the vision test.. thats' alright with me.. be aware... People can go slower than the speed limit.. but on highways here in minnesota you can only go above 40 mph on a 65 mph road. nothing less than 40 mph. (especially traffic)

also i believe people who turn 60 years old they should re-take driver's ed test.. and do so every 5 years. since every law changes through time..
 
Personally, I don't believe people should be cut off from driving just because they're getting older.

But I do believe that once a person turn 65, the age that is considered a senior by many should be tested annually in order to keep the road more safe.

Same goes for the teenage drivers, they should be tested annually till they turn 21, or once they get their license, they should be tested annually for the first 5 years.

Inexperienced drivers are a danger to the society, and people who are losing their reflexes are a danger to the society.
 
Vigilance is the way to do it. I think as people become risky drivers (young and old), they should take tests annually as indicated by law such as Banjo has suggested. Some people can be still careless even though they are in good shape physically (drunk driving, road rage, etc). Insurance also makes sure the risky ones have to hand out more moolah, though! So that is taken care of in a way. Though... nothing is completely foolproof.
 
Well, I am aware of this was bein' discussion in another thread by me when I brought it up about elderly people drivin'. I would like to see what ADers have to say about this in their own opinions before I could say mine.
 
CyberRed said:
Well, I am aware of this was bein' discussion in another thread by me when I brought it up about elderly people drivin'. I would like to see what ADers have to say about this in their own opinions before I could say mine.
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Please share your opinions with us (or post the link to that thread) :) I didn't know there was another thread on this one. Thanks, CyberRed!
 
Liza said:
Please share your opinions with us (or post the link to that thread) :) I didn't know there was another thread on this one. Thanks, CyberRed!
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I have my own share in another thread. You may want to read my posts in "4 years old killed by lawn mower!" under Current Events. My posts are in page 1 and 2.
Will post here to share my opinions later ...
 
I don't think there should exactly be a cut-off age... but more of an age of how often your status should be checked. If a person reaches a specific age, they should take a test to verify that they are in good condition. As they get older, the test should be more often. If they have bad eyesight and it gets worse, then the tests should be more often.
 
Older drivers should tend to avoid rush hour traffic, poor weather conditions, and night driving.

And should have their eyes tested periodically... Approximately 21% of 65-84 year olds were taking a medication that might impair driving It is important that individuals be aware of possible side effects that may impact on the driving task. Recently the American Medical Association released a guide for doctors of seniors to tell whether their patients could safely drive..However, if someone is going really slow, then they may be pulled over (such as if they are going 35 in a 55 zone) But, police officers do not tend to pull people over, and hand out tickets..

Driving a car is a great responsibility. Help keep our roads safe by being a safe driver, as well as (when the time comes) leaving the driving to someone else..

IMO, I think Older Driver should get tested and ask questions... for example...Do you have difficulty working the pedals or turning your head fully to check blind spots when changing lanes? Do you "miss" traffic signs or stop lights? Have you ever confused the brake and accelerator pedals of the car? Are you on required medications that cause sleepiness or dizziness? Have you ever been pulled over by the police for driving too slowly?

I Do know not every Driver is a Perfect Driver there are some High Risks drivers out there too... But, Older people most likely to get killed in an Car Accident than Teens.
 
My Dearly MIL ( Mother in law ) She is 72 yrs old and drives wonderfully, she follows laws etc she can see greatly even wearing glasses, she was formerly surgeon nurse then she retired now works as domestic voliences social worker in courthouses as she want to make sure womens gets their rights (even some men too).. However, she knows i get my backpain when I ride in a car due of my lower back even when I was pregnant with my son so we take my bro in law's pick up truck she will go with us to boston she even let me drives LOL anyway.. I believe if you can pass health then you are qualified for driving and I have to agree with banjo annual check instead of 4-5 years check up( on driver lic) Right now my mil isnt driving for a while she just found out she had tumor in her hip then they did more test on her and they found TWO more tumors, one in her lung and other in her thigh.. she now has steel rod from hip to femur leg ( I think its femur ) soo she just got home last night she is very happy to be home I feel bad for her She can't drive for short while due of need to be rehab more often first!!

I believe if you can pass health, and pass visions then you can drive.. If you can't drive properly.. then sometime their relative can intervenes try to help their relatives to do something better for person not to drive or retrain them LOL I know they wouldn't want to listen to learn allover again :D


Wendy
 
In Ontario, Canada "Ontario's law" When r turn 65 years old over.. Always must shown up at MTO for testing driving and to make sure r driving normal as well and eye test too.. If failed and not really good driving then no longer driving.. Their policy is reason highly safety for all ages reason why "Health concerns and aging too" I read the MTO's policy, Pretty quite interesting about it..
My debate opitions... Yes the best interest for 65 years old over, requires take test on the road and eye test too very important health check too... Doesn't want any in horrible accident or freak accident because of aging driving.

Just I want to make sure Our parent and in laws aliibtiy (sp) driving on the road for reason as safety. Sometimes I do concern about my husband's father due his leg having hard time to walk but can drive.. My hubby always be sure and check on him and to see if he can handle drive or not.. If troubling.. He will take him to go MTO.. to avoid the charges. So.. My hubby would be very happy help him and taking him to go doctor or anywhere for his Dad's appointments..
 
Yes Angel there should infact be a driving test to determin when old people or even young people lose their liscense. My grandfather is almost 82, my entire life he has driven bad, but over the past few years its gotten worse. 2 years ago i called him for a ride home, i worked close to him, and live just a few miles from him, so he came and got me. Keep in mind this is about 9:30 at night, so there is less traffic, and we had to go a total of 5 miles to get me home. I stoped counting how many people he cut off by drifting in and out of the lanes after 8 people. I swear my grandfater is pac man :wiggle: as i'm sure we hit atleast level 3 or 4 while he was eating up all the white dotted lines on the way home. I was in total fear for my life and those around us. When we go anywhere that my grandpa has to go we insist on driving him, so he goes almost no where on his own. I really wish we could get him off the road, and many more people that dont need to be driving. A simple test at the dmv could get these people off the road. We could even do it with a referal system. You get people to write down a plate #, then call it in, if a person gets so many calls about their driving, they have to take a test, if they pass the test they are excluded for a year from having to take it again. You'd have to get the gender and a discription, so that a husband couldnt take it for his wife, or vise versa. This would make the road so much safer, and we could put the old people on busses and get them around that way.
 
Generally it would make quite an impact if there was ever a 'cut-off age' whereas an older person wouldn't be able to drive anymore...therefore, I would also agree that there should be some kind of implements such as taking a drivers' test, vison test and having a doctor indicate that they are flexible to the point of being able to move their head, shoulders, arms, hands, knees, ankles and feet with very little difficulty which is important factors and detrimental to safe driving as well as being able to drive...with the good 'ole doc in the picture can alleviate and possibly contribute by preventing such problems associated with too many old drivers out on the road that shouldn't be on...and which then a physican can make out a statement that'll either show the Department of Motor Vehicle whether they are capable to continue driving....assuring other motorists that they're deemed healthy and fit to drive....
 
Well, the elderly shouldn't be limited as to means of transportation based on their age. If they are still able to follow the rules of the road and can still properly handle a car, then it really should not be an issue. Sure, they're old, and they might drive a little bit slower than us speed demons, but hey, that's why most roads have more than one lane. Don't feel comfortable around old drivers? Go ahead and pass them. :) But hey, I think that most people, whether they are old or young, have the ability to tell whether or not they are able to handle driving a car.

I bowl with this woman - she's well into her eighties, and she still has quite an active social life. I drive her to bowling on Friday nights since she lives around the corner from us. She is able to run her own errands and even does volunteer work. Her husband is 10 years deceased and she lives alone...yet she still has the strength to do her own shopping, housework, etc. She even puts up a Christmas tree yearly. :) AND she drives, too...but she does feel uncomfortable driving at night so this is why I do the driving on Fridays.

Point is, even though she's old, she knows her limits. I wish more people would do that, ya know? I dunno...there probably won't ever be a cut off age, but I think as people get older and older, their desire to drive will eventually cease and then they'll stick to walking or taking a bus or calling a younger grandchild or relative to come and pick them up. :)


Just my thoughts anyhow. :)
 
Megladon said:
Yes Angel there should infact be a driving test to determin when old people or even young people lose their liscense. My grandfather is almost 82, my entire life he has driven bad, but over the past few years its gotten worse. 2 years ago i called him for a ride home, i worked close to him, and live just a few miles from him, so he came and got me. Keep in mind this is about 9:30 at night, so there is less traffic, and we had to go a total of 5 miles to get me home. I stoped counting how many people he cut off by drifting in and out of the lanes after 8 people. I swear my grandfater is pac man :wiggle: as i'm sure we hit atleast level 3 or 4 while he was eating up all the white dotted lines on the way home. I was in total fear for my life and those around us. When we go anywhere that my grandpa has to go we insist on driving him, so he goes almost no where on his own. I really wish we could get him off the road, and many more people that dont need to be driving. A simple test at the dmv could get these people off the road. We could even do it with a referal system. You get people to write down a plate #, then call it in, if a person gets so many calls about their driving, they have to take a test, if they pass the test they are excluded for a year from having to take it again. You'd have to get the gender and a discription, so that a husband couldnt take it for his wife, or vise versa. This would make the road so much safer, and we could put the old people on busses and get them around that way.
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And you rode in the car with your grandpa??? holey shat! LOL! I would rather take taxi cab or walk than ride with somebody who drives like that! My ex mother in law once went on "One way" street!! she practically drove the people off the road!! of course, the highway patrol got her for that! someone called him on the cell phone..thank god i wasnt with her lol!!
 
Defee said:
And you rode in the car with your grandpa??? holey shat! LOL! I would rather take taxi cab or walk than ride with somebody who drives like that! My ex mother in law once went on "One way" street!! she practically drove the people off the road!! of course, the highway patrol got her for that! someone called him on the cell phone..thank god i wasnt with her lol!!
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Omg! seriouis.. Should be in freak accident.. *ahem* Damned really you're lucky not be in her! LOL
My eyes really squirting laugh'n..
If I were you.. I would flip my mind off and jump out the door.. LOL Just kidd'n..
Best way for me.. *forget it*.. Ha Ha..
 
Bullym0m said:
Omg! seriouis.. Should be in freak accident.. *ahem* Damned really you're lucky not be in her! LOL
My eyes really squirting laugh'n..
If I were you.. I would flip my mind off and jump out the door.. LOL Just kidd'n..
Best way for me.. *forget it*.. Ha Ha..
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LOL! thats exactly what i would do if i was in the car with that biddy driving in one way street! Id JUMP out da door!! ..holy cow! haha
 
Defee said:
LOL! thats exactly what i would do if i was in the car with that biddy driving in one way street! Id JUMP out da door!! ..holy cow! haha
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ohh...ohh... *mumbling* Sleesh! unbelivable what you've said! ..
Yeah.. Jump out da door that solution! ha ha oh boy..
Damned that really quite funny!
r u really tak'n pretty prank JOKES? but really true!!
*rofl*~:rofl:
 
Bullym0m said:
ohh...ohh... *mumbling* Sleesh! unbelivable what you've said! ..
Yeah.. Jump out da door that solution! ha ha oh boy..
Damned that really quite funny!
r u really tak'n pretty prank JOKES? but really true!!
*rofl*~:rofl:
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I assure you its a true story! She is a bad driver really!! Whenever we go out of town in her car, my exhusband or his brother or me drive on the highway cuz we are afraid of her driving...*shudders*...(thank god, im outa her life since i divorced her son!) LOL! One time, i saw it myself, i was driving down the street and saw my ex mother in law's car ahead and she had the damn big casserole dish on top of her car!! she dang forgot to put it inside her car so i honked and honked but she, being hard of hearing, didnt hear me honking and then the damn casserole rolled off the car when she went up the hill and splattered all over the road! damn crazy biddy! :crazy:
 
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