Research Paper On Elderly Drivers

Some people think that seniors should be required to retake the driving test because they think that with age comes decreased vision, hearing, and reaction time. This is certainly true to a certain extent because this occurs to different people at different speeds. I think that once a person reaches about 75 they should have annual appointments for vision and hearing tests, and if they don’t do to well then they should be required to retake the driving test.

We have all had the experience of being stuck behind someone that is either driving too slow, swerving, or breaking way too early; then when we drive up next to them its 9 times out of 10 an elderly driver. I believe that at the age of 75, and older, maybe even a little younger, yearly driving, medical, and vision exams need to be done to renew their licenses. This process can reduce the number of accidents involving seniors, and even help to reduce road rage situations for other drivers on the road. Now I am not trying to say that all accidents are caused by seniors, because younger drivers are responsible for, and are involved in a greater number of serious road traffic crashes than seniors. (Carvel 2002) The point I am trying to make is

All people including the elderly, should have to go do a driving test if, they have been involved in at least two accidents within the same year. Plus, these people should have to take a refresser driver’s education class.

Driving ages throughout the United States vary state by state. In South Dakota, to obtain a license you only have to be 14 years and three months old. In New Jersey, you have to be 17 years old, but throughout the United States it is pretty consistent that you have to be 16 years old to get a license. Along with a license come many freedoms for a teenager, but also many restrictions. Restrictions such as the times allowed to drive and the amount of passengers allowed in the car are set in place throughout the United States. In South Carolina new drivers cannot drive between the hours of 8:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. The majority of states have the restriction of no driving between midnight and 5:00 a.m. Vermont is the only U.S. state to have no restriction

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

The dangers most elderly drivers create can be prevented. Older people may consider driving the "last connection to freedom and independence"

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.

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.

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.

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

Senior citizens should retake the standard drivers test once they reach age seventy. Everyone would be safer on the roads if senior citizens were retested. People have the right to be able to drive, but if has gotten to the point that they are dangerous they do not need to be on the road. When getting older they do not have the best vision and can not react like they used to. I believe that senior citizens need to be retested because some can be dangerous on the roads.

This is true for any age, but especially for the elderly. If you have any concerns about your loved one and their ability to drive, now is the time to speak up. You don't want to wait until it's too late and an accident has already occurred.

“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

Accidents happening on the road are becoming very common these past couple of years. Even though driving is a simple task that many people do on a daily basis. Most people are considered safe drivers, but some groups of people are incapable of driving safely. Safe is supposed to be the word that describes senior drivers, but unfortunately it isn’t. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2012, more than 5,560 older adults were killed and more than 214,000 were injured in motor vehicle crashes, this amounts to 15 older adults killed and 586 injured in crashes on average every day (CDC). There are some factors that can make a senior citizen dangerous behind the wheel and on the road. Problems with the senior citizens driving today are that their reflexes react slower because of some kind a physical health change and also that they lose concentration fast which leads to more and more accidents. Hopefully, there are solutions to this problem.

Pay extra attention to road signs around the roads and become comfortable with specific safe routes to take more often, have your eyes checked once a year or more often, drive during the day ion safe weather condition, ask doctors and pharmacists to review medicine and reduce side effects, plan routes before leaving the house, always avoid distraction in and out of the car. One of the best solutions for the elderly person is to find alternative transportation such as public transportation, puck up apps like Über, or riding with a loved one or friend. Family members can also look out for their elderly family members by reporting their dementia to to either their doctor, and if he will not report it to the DMV, you are allowed to report it yourself to get your loved on into the DMV for a reexamination to provide proof to yourself and your family that they are either fit or not fit to be driving everyday. Dementia is a very serious disease and should not be take lightly, the push to have a mandatory retest for people who reach the age of 70 would help give people the opportunity to dive and then take out the people who are not suitable to be driving on the street for their own safety and for the safety of all of the other drivers out