Should Elderly Drivers be Retested?

Westport News ^

[mountainlion]

I think half the kids in Colorado should be tested.

[Ben Mugged]

According to statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the safest drivers are in the age group between 64 and 69 years old. And studies of the data reveal that teenage drivers — especially male teenage drivers — are the most dangerous drivers on the road.

[Gay State Conservative]

Yes,yes,yes,YES! And I say that as one who's fast approaching an age where *I* might be required to re-test.

[CGASMIA68]

As soon as Joe “Brain Dead” Biden is...

[Dallas59]

Obammy care would like to kill all of them.

[MamaB]

Young drivers are worse. At least that is true around here. Retest them.

[RetiredTexasVet]

I think if they were honest in their reporting, they would note that the number and severity of accidents by the over 55 age group is miniscule compared to the younger groups.

[Gay State Conservative]

Yikes,there's carnage on the streets of Connecticut.For anyone not familiar with the area two of the towns mentioned,New Canaan and Darien,are both suburbs of New York City and are among the wealthiest residential communities ON EARTH!

[Pearls Before Swine]

The answer is yes, but the real question is, “How frequently?”

I knew an older neighbor who seemed perfectly rational at Christmas, but wandered off driving, parked his car, and died of exposure several months later. It was sad, but fortunately he didn’t take anyone with him. What frequency of testing would have anticipated a sudden decline without being oppressive?

[Gay State Conservative]

I think if they were honest in their reporting, they would note that the number and severity of accidents by the over 55 age group is miniscule compared to the younger groups.

Under 25 and over 75 are the two most dangerous groups of drivers in the country.The under 25's because of stupidity and/or testosterone...the over 75's because of failing eyes,ears and brains.

[steve86]

they would note that the number and severity of accidents by the over 55 age group is miniscule compared to the younger groups.

That's true. Accident rate and overall accident count both low.

However, I just stopped my 97 YO mother from further driving. Has to be a limit somewhere.

[CGASMIA68]

He committed suicide EOM

[Pearls Before Swine]

I hope so. It was hard on the family, whatever his intention.

[steve86]

If that was rapid-progression Alzheimer's (as opposed to a series of small strokes or CJD or something), it can be very rapid. This is quite uncommon.

Sadly, you just can't catch every developing bad situation in life.

[grania]

I'm sure there are seniors who are bad drivers who would pass a new test, and seniors who are good drivers who would fail. Why not just look at driving history and be quick to ticket senior drivers who have senior moments at the wheel? Then test them as part of determining if they (we) can keep our licenses. It would be simpler and more effective.

If seniors are going to be discouraged from driving, there would have to be a whole lot of progress in safe public transportation.

[doorgunner69]

Definitely retest, and include reaction time and decision making tests.

Had some old geezer turn left in front of me over forty years ago such that I hit the side of his car on my bike at about 50 mph.. Busted me up nicely.

Geezer kept on going, someone that saw it happen had to chase him down. Claimed he did not know anything happened.

[steve86]

Under 25 and over 75 are the two most dangerous groups of drivers in the country

I think what you are looking at in the older group is that accidents involving elderly tend to have more fatalities (the driver him/herself) because they are more frail. The accident rate itself has been going down about 1%/year for the older drivers.

[Ron H.]

Young drivers are worse.

Can't disagree with that statement from what I have seen in all my years of driving.

[Billthedrill]

Dang it, driving in the passing lane at 45 with my left blinker on is the best part of getting old! BTT