Too Old To Drive?

Big Guy · June 16, 2014

At this time we have a “graduated” series of licensing for teenagers so they are restricted to certain roads and times depending on their experience. Eventually they receive their “final” licence and are free to take advantage of all roads.

For seniors, as they age, they have to be tested and there are only two choices; pass or fail. As people age their ability to drive safely does decrease. The biggest forced change in the quality of life for seniors is the loss of their driving licence. With their mobility gone, life becomes far more difficult. People also age at different rates and while some abilities deteriorate, the person may still be easily able to drive on certain kinds of roads during daylight.

Why not set up a system of graduated licensing system like that used for beginner drivers, but at the other end of the spectrum, one that allowed more seniors to stay on the road longer and more safely?

http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2014/06/16/still_roadworthy_at_an_advanced_age_simulator_might_keep_some_drivers_safely_on_the_road_for_longer.html

If the graduated system is valid for youngsters what would be wrong with a reverse system?

Would this create more problems than it would solve?

Shady · June 16, 2014

I think the system is fine the ways it is now. Test every two years after age 80. Seems reasonable.

Mighty AC · June 16, 2014

If the graduated system is valid for youngsters what would be wrong with a reverse system?

Would this create more problems than it would solve?

There is nothing wrong with the reverse system and it would be a great solution for seniors. As we age our reaction time decreases and our diminished eyesight can make night driving difficult. I have no problem with a graduated license allowing some seniors to drive on local roadways during daylight hours.

You mentioned that people age at different rates which is very true. However, testing should be required much earlier than 80 years of age. I have first hand experience with a stubborn elderly relative who was no longer safe behind the wheel before the age of 80, yet refused to hand over the keys. He was a very real danger to himself and others, yet there was nothing we could legally do to take his keys away. We talked to both the police and his doctor about options and as the laws exist right now, there are no options.

After a series of several near misses my relative finally turned 80 and had his keys taken away. However, he endangered the lives of many for way too long. Those, approximately 5, years of battling him over driving also severely strained our relationship. It would be nice to have a more sensible solution.

guyser · June 16, 2014

We talked to both the police and his doctor about options and as the laws exist right now, there are no options.

Perhaps where you live or something like that which make your experience different however your Dr let you down. There are any number of things the Doc could have done, or rather med issues he could have written the MTO and had the licence either suspended or revoked.

Im thinkning he let you down, but again.....you may have experienced sometyhing I dont know about.

When my dad got sick and was adamant he be allowed to drive I told him when he can prove to me he is capable then we would talk. I also informed him that if he was pig headed about this it would impact my moms insurance because I would be forced to have his insurance cancelled .

I made it easier on all of us though.....I stole his car keys, his Drivers Licence and insurance Liability slip.

He was pissed, but....gots to do what ya gots to do !

Old people get the grace by virtue of being old. But they should be tested at 70 every other year. The accident s they have look like a bell curve in reverse as compares to the young drivers.

The only upside is old people wont live long, ergo the benefits paid out arent nearly what a young person would get.

Topaz · June 17, 2014

The drivers I feel for are the ones that live in towns or rural areas, especially if they have no one to drive them around if they aren't allow to drive. Many of these areas don't have public transit or taxi services, make it hard for people to get to the doctor or to even get groceries, think about it.

Bonam · June 17, 2014

Perhaps a non-issue in another 10 years or so when driverless cars start to become a viable option?

GostHacked · June 17, 2014

I think the system is fine the ways it is now. Test every two years after age 80. Seems reasonable.

I'd start the testing at 70 instead.

GostHacked · June 17, 2014

Perhaps a non-issue in another 10 years or so when driverless cars start to become a viable option?

Won't use them. I like driving and being in control of my vehicle. I won't trust a computer for that. All you need is ONE computer glitch and ...

Shady · June 17, 2014

I'd start the testing at 70 instead.

That's probably a good idea.

overthere · June 17, 2014

There is nothing wrong with the reverse system and it would be a great solution for seniors. As we age our reaction time decreases and our diminished eyesight can make night driving difficult. I have no problem with a graduated license allowing some seniors to drive on local roadways during daylight hours.

You mentioned that people age at different rates which is very true. However, testing should be required much earlier than 80 years of age. I have first hand experience with a stubborn elderly relative who was no longer safe behind the wheel before the age of 80, yet refused to hand over the keys. He was a very real danger to himself and others, yet there was nothing we could legally do to take his keys away. We talked to both the police and his doctor about options and as the laws exist right now, there are no options.

After a series of several near misses my relative finally turned 80 and had his keys taken away. However, he endangered the lives of many for way too long. Those, approximately 5, years of battling him over driving also severely strained our relationship. It would be nice to have a more sensible solution.

Good post. I'd move the age of testing to perhaps 75 and make seniors get it every year. All of us are operating a lethal weapon when we get behind the wheel after all.

Many older drivers are unaware that their capacities to drive safely are severely diminished as they age. There is also the fact that most of us do not want to know and refuse to acknowledge that we are less capable behind the wheel. Getting old is a series of humiliations large and small. Loss of driving ranks up their with the largest, since it means a change in lifestyle and a major loss of mobility.

I don't support restricted licenses, either you can do it or you cannot.

Bonam · June 17, 2014

Won't use them. I like driving and being in control of my vehicle. I won't trust a computer for that. All you need is ONE computer glitch and ..

Perhaps you might not like them but for an old person faced with the choice of not being able to get around anymore cause they fail driving tests, I'm sure the decision will be fairly easy.

As for glitches... humans glitch way more often than computers. You might trust yourself more than a computer due to inherent psychological bias... but what about all the other idiots on the road? When I see how people drive around me, I'd very much prefer that most of those cars were computer controlled.

Mighty AC · June 17, 2014

When I see how people drive around me, I'd very much prefer that most of those cars were computer controlled.

Good point. Computer controlled vehicles are already being tested on regular streets in several states. I believe Google has been testing their driverless car systems in Nevada, California, Florida and Michigan.