Senior Citizens and driving?

Question

Who else thinks that senior citizens should have to take a driving test after a certain age? I think that would keep the crazy old drivers off the road.

Answer 1

And what to do to keep the young crazy drivers off the road...I think senior or not if you are crazy you should not be driving...

Answer 2

Well let's see now. I am 76 years young, never had an accident, have a clean driving record. I am an excellent driver, still. However, if I ever feel that I have "lost" some of my driving skills, I will stop driving. My husband is 80 and is still a good driver. I watch him, so don't worry. I will get him to stop if he does anything that would possibly harm another.

We have both passed health tests, eye tests and driving tests, so for now, everything is good.



Everybody is different. There are people of our age who have serious health problems, and others who have serious eye problem. I agree that there should be mandatory driving tests for seniors every year, because no two people are the same.



I would add here however, that is you stopped using words like "crazy old drivers", which means disrespect to all seniors, you would probably get more positive answers.

Answer 3

Wow! You're getting a lot of hostility for your question.



I can't see a problem with having them pass a test and I'll be there before long. I just had this argument with my uncle, who's 80 (and is still a safe driver; I've ridden with him). He said that I wouldn't want to give up my independence. The fact is, that some days, I can't drive now & I don't. I have osteoarthritis in my right ankle. On a bad day, I'm not sure if I could stomp down on the brake if need be, so I don't drive.



My guy's mother is 86 & has had a number of accidents in the last 2 years, all of which she says were not her fault. I think her license was revoked after the last one. Her state automatically renews licenses for 5 or 6 years. She's blind in one eye, has poor vision in the other & has poor hearing. Fortunately, no one was hurt in any of her accidents, but there's been a lot of property damage.



They say that cell phones cause as many accidents as drunk drivers, but that's another topic.

Answer 4

Funny, I was talking about this the other day when I was stuck behind an elderly lady going 25 mph when the speed limit was 45. I know I'll have to take one too when I get that age but I think it would be well worth it. Some can barely see over the steering wheel and I've had so many cut in front of me with no signal. So yeah, I definitely think that there should be another mandatory driving test once you reach a certain age.

Answer 5

seems your stats are inaccurate, so I strongly disagree with your comments as I don't know any to be crazy or old drivers that need to be off the road.



I do believe after a certain age (and it's not 65) that retesting could or should be done, but why think that since I think there's already a law out on that, or at the very least a law with the Dept of Motor Vehicles already.



What you call crazy or old I suspect what you mean are people on medication (but so are young and younger people on medications, and are even on marajuana, crack, alcohol, etc.), and people whose vision, hearing and response time has changed. For those people with the changes usually they just drive to the grocery store and aren't on the highways so what's your problem? If you find them impossible then just don't go to the grocery store.

Answer 6

and idiots who talk on the phone and drive have the reflexes of a 75 year old. not cool, cant wait till they make it illegal in Cali. I think they should get a driving test after a certain age. =]

but people in general suck at driving. did you know that in Chile it is illegal to smoke while driving and it is illegal to drive while talking on a cell phone. and they make the drivers test super hard, which you can only get at age 18+.



teenagers and my age type adults drive way worse than seniors. WAY WORSE.

(22 here)



so I prefer to ride a bike it's healthy and eco friendly.





I still drive on occasion and i drive the speed limit, i use my blinker, i move to the right when some idiot is speeding i never run red lights.



I wont start driving daily until I have children.

Answer 7

Quoting a case study in the US: You'll be surprised to know that the highest percentage of drivers fall within the age groups of 21 to 59 years (83.6%). The percentage of drivers above 60 years old is very small (hardly 10%).



And you'll be surprised to know too that drivers within the 21-59 years age band also cause the highest percentage in terms of no. of fatal accidents in the US. The most wreckless drivers fall within the 30-39 years age group.



From this set of statistics we can conclude that 'old drivers' (presumably aged 60 years and above) do not belong to the category of 'crazy drivers', as inferred by you.

Answer 8

These questions keep coming up on senior drivers, When the fact show they have less accident then others and most older people will give up their license when the time comes, I wander how these people feel if someone would try and take their license, they should think about it , some day too will be a senior, . Why don't some one who is so worried about the senior drivers , try and help them , give them rides to the Dr's. , stores, and other places, Wow!! that feels good getting that off my chest

Answer 9

Senior citizens have a more rigorous set of rules and are tested more often after a certain age. It is a huge blow to a person's independence to be told they can no longer drive. If you have such a problem with it, you should become a volunteer to drive seniors to their appointments, to the grocery store and on errands. Their obligations do not stop once they cannot drive and the help from a willing young person would be wonderful.

Answer 10

I believe that these problem senior drivers are so but not because of lack of ability, but because of driving under the influence of strong medications. Its just as bad as if middle age adults drinking and driving. Teenagers using cell phones while driving.

It all comes down to how does one one to interpret the statistics.

Answer 11

I am 60 years old. I got my last ticket when I was 22 years old and have never wrecked a car. In addition I have been a motorcyclist since my teens. I have well over 100,000 miles on motorcycles and have yet to wreck one of them. I have driven in 48 out of the 50 states and a dozen or so countries. I will put my record up against anyone. How old are you, and how many cars have you wrecked and how many tickets do you have on your record?



Crazy old drivers, indeed...

Answer 12

I suggest you look at the insurance premiums for the elderly and compare them with 18-30 drivers. That may give you an indication of who is the bigger accident risk,and who should need regular testing.

As for the comment about the speed limit being 45,it's not a compulary speed,it's the maximum speed permitted. People should drive as road condition dictate.

Answer 13

Crazy drivers come in all ages. I don't consider Senior drivers as "crazy." They may be a bit slower, but I don't think of them as being "crazy." I have seen "crazy" drivers much younger than Seniors, who shouldn't have a driver's license, by the antics they pull when behind the wheel.

Answer 14

As often as anyone else. Senior citizens normally voluntarily give up the keys when they know they've lost the capability to drive (AND they DO know)......younger drivers would do well to spend more time on the road and their driving and less time picking blackberries and the like.

Answer 15

I live in Indiana and I don't think that is required here but I am pretty sure my Dad had to take a test every couple of years in Illinois after he reached a certain age. Don't remember how old that was. I do think it is a good idea.

Answer 16

We do.



But if the crazy young ones would keep their driving in control their would be less fatalities.



I don't hear of a car load of Seniors getting in wrecks, getting killed or killing others.



If you drive the speed limit and stay off the cell phone, you could look out for those crazy old and crazy young drivers and maybe . . .just maybe you won't become a fatalitie /statistic.

Answer 17

Yes , but I think one's driving record should dictate case by case . Some drivers are still capable at 70 or 80 ..and then some will never be safe drivers at any age .

Answer 18

Well Honey, after a lady almost "T" boned me coming into Wal-Marts parking lot. I would disagree.

You see, she was making the turn with her knees, she had a cell phone in her ear, holing a cigarette, a cup of coffee with the other hand, trying to turn with her elbows while holding the wheel with her knees so, if you ask me, a lot of you younger people need some retraining yourselves.

I at least keep my eye out for you younger people that have to squeal out of every intersection, weave in and out of traffic, always going ten miles over the speed limit and usually ride your bumper because your not going fast enough.



So, you see, you aren't perfect either.

Answer 19

Automobile accidents are the leading cause of death of teenagers ranging from 16 to 19 years of age. Are you insinuating we seniors are targeting that age group? What are we going to be tested for, our lack of accuracy? Grow up.

Answer 20

It's always the same old story, they think having young reflexes, makes them drivers. Most of them just skid the brakes and freeze up. That's if they can see thru the tinted windows.

Answer 21

My dad use to drive through red lights. He finally pulled out in front of a person and totaled the car, hurt my mom and himself, but my son was alright.

Answer 22

Good one. Yes you get a star!

Answer 23

I don't agree at all. sorry.