Should the Elderly Be Allowed to Drive?

Should elderly drivers be allowed to drive?

I have often wondered what the future holds for elderly drivers. It's difficult to voice my opinion(s) too strongly because it would seem as if I'm stabbing myself in the back. If we all keep living we're all going to get old, so each and every one of us will have to face the scrutinizing pressures of society on whether or not elderly citizens should be allowed to drive. My answer would be one based purely on safety.

Even though some elderly drivers may or may not be plagued with some health issues, I feel that elderly people should be allowed to drive. Sensory and perceptual capacities decline gradually with age in the normal person (Sigelman & Rider, 2006). Often these declines begin in early adulthood and become noticeable in the 40s, sometimes giving middle-aged people a feeling that they are getting old (Sigelman & Rider, 2006). In the state of California elderly people age 65 and older make up 12 percent of their licensed drivers and they're involved in 17 percent of fatal car crashes. In Florida a statewide study of car crashes during 2002 showed that 19-year old drivers were involved in the most crashes. When compared to elderly people, the rates of car crashes were lower. When drivers turn 78, risk increases greatly and grow higher after turning 85. Elderly drivers are at higher risk of injury and death when involved in a crash because they are least likely to withstand trauma. Most elderly drivers try to practice as much safety on the road as possible. They want to find ways to drive safe and drive as long as possible. Many elderly drivers make up for their deficits by limiting their driving in order to avoid intensive traffic patterns, by driving fewer miles, limiting trips to cover shorter distances and by avoiding driving during twilight or bad weather. Likewise, they are more cautious, drive slower and take fewer risks. Even though alcohol and high speed driving rarely plays a role, traffic fatalities involving the elderly occur during the daytime and on weekdays. Elderly people should be allowed to continue driving because it is their right by law that which during some point they earned. There have been no additions or implementations to the law stating that all elderly drivers need to be tested or disbarred from driving.

People age 60 and older, I feel, would need to be given road tests. I do not believe that elderly people need to be given a test to gauge their driving ability. This comes as easy as riding a bike, so once it's learned you don't just forget it. Road tests, on the other hand, would be helpful in detecting how well they handle the road or maneuver various obstacles that could come about. Most states do not have any policies about license renewal or procedures for having elderly people's license revoked. It is not that states do not care; rather, they face strong opposition from groups such as the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) and individual older adults (Cobb & Coughlin, 1998; Sigelman & Rider, 2006). If elderly drivers are given road tests then they should be tested with every license renewal. Their license probably should not be revoked when or if they fail a road test the first time, but maybe after 3 consecutive failures. Once their license has been revoked, this would make them eligible to receive some type of elderly transportation. This does not have to be something newfangled just for them. Maybe different states could incorporate travel for the elderly with their local bus or subway transportation system(s). For drivers who have failed their third attempt on the road test, simultaneously issue them a replacement card. This card would allow them payment privileges similar to a Senior Citizen Discount to be used toward they're transportation. If this is