Elderly Driving Has Become An Epidemic

In New Jersey, “all first time drivers under 21 have to adhere to graduate driver restrictions.” (O’Connor 2) While these restrictions have done a lot to minimize fatalities and crashes for 16-18 year olds, “New Jersey’s tough laws may have just shifted the effect to 21-year-olds”. This means the same negative effect of increased crash rates for unrestricted first-time drivers that usually happens at the age of 18 happens at the age of 21 in New Jersey. Overall, more drivers have to be slowed down by the restrictions for a similar end

There is a debate of whether or not the legal driving age should be lowered. This can effect citizens because there will be younger people driving. Some people think that younger people shouldn’t be driving. I believe that the legal age for driving should be lowered because people should learn early, the age is too high and they have more time to learn with their parents.

Drivers over 70 should be off the roads! People over the age of 70 who cannot operate a vehicle responsibly should not be licensed to drive. The state should require everyone who turns 70 they to repeat their road driving exam for reinstatement of their license. In addition, every year after to weed out unsafe drivers, which dramatically reduces the amount of accidents caused by the elderly drivers. Three factors often contribute to these statistics: poor judgement in making left-hand turns; drifting within the traffic lane; and decreased ability to change behavior in response to an unexpected or rapidly changing situation. It is inevitable, we are all going to get old and will face the pressures of society

In the United States, adults over the age of 65 account for 13% of the nation’s current licensed drivers. By the year 2030, researchers expect this number to increase above 20%, as the baby boomer population overtakes the traditionalist generation (Perkinson et al., 2005). With this number steadily rising, it’s startling to note that most adults outlive their driving abilities by six to ten years (Betz, Jones, Petroff, & Schwartz, 2013). Fatal crash rates per mile traveled increase after age 75 – the only demographic with higher rates being teenagers (Classen et al., 2006). Many of these collisions are attributed to aging-related cognitive diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) or dementia. Since most adult drivers do outlive

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

Many states want to bring up the age of driving from 16 to 18. However, many news sites and blogs disagree because adults can do the same exact thing, as a man said from CBS news “it is really easy to do the wrong thing and hard to do the right thing”. Therefore, should these states take away teens’

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.

Families of drivers who were injured, or worse, by elderly drivers also have a stake in this debate. In a news article by ABC News, a mother calls for greater action on elderly drivers after her 22-year-old son, Dann, is killed by an 87-year-old driver who “[had] failed to see Dann coming and turned directly into his path.” (Atkin, 2017). The mother, named Sue Jenkins, stated “we are second-class citizens because the independence of the elderly driver is more important than our right to expect other drivers on the roads to be competent.” (Atkin, 2017). Ms. Jenkins statement summarizes the position of many families of drivers injured, or worse, by senior drivers. Again, these stakeholders agree on the fact and definition of elderly drivers,

“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

Teens have been a part of many accidents. They have caused many people to die. Would it be better to raise the age or let them get a licensed to be able to drive?

While it’s true that elderly people have a lot more experience than the younger drivers on the road today, they also have a lot more health issues that could cause an accident. With age comes diminishing eye sight, hearing, and especially reflexive response. I agree with the laws today that state people over a certain age are required to re-take the drivers license test. I’ve had many experiences riding in the car with elderly people that make me stick to what I believe today. Just a few examples for you. . . My friend’s grandma was taking me to the airport and on the way over there she ran through a red light. Scary thing is, she hadn’t even realized she had run it. I was too scared to even say

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.

Regardless of how much pride a senior may take in their safe driving record, individuals over 60 need to recognize that experiencing changes in their driving ability is inevitable, and that the way they approach these changes is what will determine their future as a driver.

In the United States cars are ordinarily the main mode of transportation for people. A large majority of those drivers is elderly. This can create problems since an elderly driver may not realize or want to admit that they are no longer safe drivers. Furthermore, changing health issues can affect elderly drivers. Drivers over the age of 70 need to undergo a required yearly driving tests due to failing eyes sight, hearing loss and slow reflexes.

Granny, I know you’ve never been in an accident, but Lord knows how many you’ve caused! Although I love my grandmother dearly, I must admit that a few of my grey hairs are courtesy of her driving. As the years passed, my grandmother’s driving progressively got worse. However, there is no test administered to the elderly which determines whether or not they are fit to drive. While my Granny was creating mayhem on the streets, I realized how much a drivers’ test for the elderly was needed. Elderly drivers impose possible threats on others, as well as themselves, and could also be paying excess money on unnecessary insurance.