Elderly Drivers Research Paper

Millions of people drive each day, some heading to work, some to vacation destinations, some to entertainment, and some just for fun. Within these millions, there are all types of drivers; aggressive, passive, new, experienced, and elderly to name a few. The elderly comprise of more than 40 million people age 65 and older in the United States and of those 40 million, 34 million are licensed drivers (NHTSA). Elderly driving has become an alarming subject throughout many communities in the United States as it concerns the safety and health of themselves as well as other drivers. One article shares, as 80-year-old Daniel was driving to the grocery store one day, he ran over a curb and hit a trash can. Luckily he was not hurt and his car suffered only minor scratches. Although unscathed, Daniel was emotionally distraught having almost hit a young woman waiting at the bus stop (Older Drivers). This story as well as many others has triggered a crucial debate about the rights and well-being of senior drivers. Most people believe these older drivers should have an age restriction determining when they should and should not be able drive. However, getting older does not mean people lose all capability to drive. In opposition, driving and health tests should be required at the age of 65 to prove they are capable of safe driving rather than revoking their licenses.

The elderly are the fastest growing segment of the driving population. A person’s crash risk increases beginning at the age of 55. By age 80, it exceeds that of the young, beginning driver. Age and alcohol interact to increase driving risk. This could mean the responsibility of their transportation falls on a family member.

At what time is it appropriate to tell an elderly loved-one that he should hang up his keys and find other alternatives to driving, is it once he turns an arbitrary age? After any accidents that occurs or once he has, been diagnosed with an ailment that can hinder his driving ability? Is it fair or ethical to take away the car keys from someone who has driven his entire life, Emily Yoffe writer at Slate attempts to figure out why there is “no personal, societal, or governmental solution for what to do about elderly drivers” (Slate). Which is a problem that needs to be answered soon since there is an “increasing number of older drivers, road traffic safety is an urgent public health issue. It is not easy for older drivers or their relatives

Did you know that elderly drivers are not required to reapply for their driving licenses? Even though they suffer from diminished vision,hearing, and reaction time. As read in research one of the most common causes of car crashes is the fatigue of driver or excessive speed or slow driving of the vehicle. Perhaps the cause behind all of these car accidents are due to the most respected members of our society, the elderly. In fact maybe the press covers up the truth about certain incidents because they know they will receive a huge amount a of complaints from the crowd because their true message will be misunderstood. A message to educate our people to let them see why requiring a reapplication is so important. See they need to reapply and go

reports. Drivers who are between the ages of 16 and 20 years old are 10 times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash, than drivers over the age of 21 (“Drinking and Driving (DUI)”).

Teens tend to be safer drivers then their middle-aged counter parts. The number of 15-20-year-old drivers in 2008 in single-vehicle crashes made up 14%, multi-vehicle was 10.4%, and 15-20year old drivers made up 11.9% of all fatal crashes; while the more middle aged 25-34year old drivers consisted of 20.9% for single vehicle crashes, 19% of all multi-vehicle crashes, and 19.8% of all fatal crashes, immensely higher stats then the teen drivers. This shows that teens are by far safer drivers then the middle aged, mature, adults.

In this week's edition of Harper's Weekly Review, the topic that interested me was the one covering the story of an elderly woman crashing into 14 cars. A woman, 75 years of age, crashed in 14 cars and caused about 25,000 euros($27,888.75) worth of damage. I thought this was interesting because for quite some time I've seen that many elderly drivers are sometimes a nuisance on the road or just cause accidents such as the one the article describes. Just recently, about a month ago, a cousin of mine was working front desk at a salon and an elderly woman in her late 70's crashes into the salon with my cousin just barely avoiding critical injury. I believe that there has to be a stricter rule or law that applied to the elderly regarding driving.

In the United States, driving is often equated to freedom and independence. When a senior is faced with the prospect of losing their ability to drive, it can have dramatic emotional consequences. Since there is not a standard rate at which health deteriorates, there is no one age at which a senior's ability to safely drive is effected. What we do know, however, is that drivers over the age of 70 are more likely to be involved in fatal automobile accidents than drivers of other age groups.

“An eighty-six year old man killed ten people and injured more than seventy when he drove his Buick into a crowded farmers market in California. In Florida, an eighty-four year old woman drove her car through a window of a Sears and into a cash register and employee” (Murphy). Sadly enough, instances like these are becoming more and more prevalent and require immediate action. It is imperative that a more comprehensive approach be taken when deciding the competence of elderly drivers. Laws must be put into action to mandate and administer testing and re-examining of the skills and eligibility of this group. Equally important, we must consider those who will no longer be able to drive, and ensure their transportation and occupational needs

What’s more dangerous, drivers under twenty or drivers over seventy? While older drivers have decades of experience, the statistics on these two groups will probably surprise you. It says on Smartmotorist.com that older drivers are more likely than younger ones to be involved in multi-vehicle crashes, particularly at intersections. So if you feel bad for older people that have to re-take their license, think again. It could be you who gets in a fender bender with your eighty year old neighbor.

Many concerns have been expressed about the potential dangers elderly drivers present when operating a vehicle. Mental and physical capabilities begin to decline as a person ages. When their health deteriorates, the well being of other individuals on the road is at stake. Many elderly drivers should not drive due to their medical history and the fact that they might suffer from possible side effects from taking multiple prescription medicines. In addition, local organizations and neighbors can provide transportation for the elderly to keep them from endangering themselves and others. The threat senior citizens create when driving can be avoided if they are tested to ensure their competence as a driver.

I think elderly drivers should be testing twice a year depending of their age. Driving has a lot of responsibility as you get older you reflex are not the same your eye vision stars going blurry I think after 65 of age the public safety should have more programs and more testing for their physical and their medical history sometimes know they don’t have a choice family members won’t help them to take them to doctors appoint.t

One of these is our motor skills. In line with this, driving is one major concern among health experts with seniors. Due to the unstable condition that aging can give to any person, it is very unsafe for seniors to drive without the clearance from the doctor. Wisdom Care Transportation, a medical transportation in Page Road Durham North Carolina, shares these most effective tactics for seniors to keep on driving safely.

The level of precautions used when driving is based on an individual’s skills and mind set, not on their age. However, car insurance companies do not view it this way. They assume that due to their age, young drivers will not pay attentions to what they are doing and are more likely to get distracted by friends, music, or cell phones than their older counterparts would be.

While my Granny’s passengers knew about her ineptitude for driving, other drivers were unaware of the danger passing them by. Individuals over 85, who drive, have a four times higher fatality rate than teenagers (Landphair). There are many news stories regarding elderly people who have caused numerous deaths by simply confusing the gas and brake pedals (Landphair). Some contribute these accidents to a decline in vision and cognitive functioning, two factors essential to safe driving. Studies have also shown that if older individuals are under pressure, they tend to make more driving errors than teens (Charles).