Senior 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.

One reason people have been accidently killed by elderly people is because elders get easily distracted by what other drivers are doing. Another reason people have been killed or injured by elders is that a pedestrian will cross and to think fast the elder will mistake the gas for the brake. And some elderly people will get too caught up on what other drivers are doing and pay less attention to what they are doing. People have also been killed by the elderly because many elders have not taken a driving test in many years and should be reminded how to drive. Lastly, driving expectations may have changed from when they have learned how to

We all have elderly grandparents who drive and have either hearing or vision impairments As people age, driving can become more difficult and more dangerous. The elderly drive less, but they have more accidents per a mile than younger drivers. This is partially because elderly individuals are more likely to be affected by poor eyesight, chronic disease and medications that might impair driving.

At the age of sixteen driving is a coming of age- a transition from childhood to adulthood. With many things the older a child gets the more prepared they are but with driving it is not dependent to a certain age but rather experience. To many American families teen driving is undeniably a privilege. To receive a license as a developing 16 year old one needs guardian permission. If such activity is a privilege to begin with it should come with certain requirements and regulations.

Once people reach a certain age their health starts to degrade. It is more severe with some people than with others because it can faster to some people and slower to others. This severely affects a person’s driving capabilities. You need to have keen vision to spot hazards on the road.

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

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

Distracted driving is a common characteristic many licensed individuals have. Think about how many times you’ve seen drivers on their electronic devices. In a statistical report conducted by the U.S National Highway Administration (FHWA) states that, about 660,000 drivers are handling cell phones or other electronic devices while driving in the United States. Licensed drivers take on the role and responsibility to avoid being distracted behind the wheel. The New England Journal of Medicine hypothesized that, “Driving requires the integration of high level cognition, vision, many physical and cognitive changes affect driving amongst the elderly, such as slower reaction time, hearing and vision problems, decreased ability to function and medical problems, including age associated cognitive decline and the use of drugs affecting cognitive performance. In addition, with the hypothesis above adult drivers 65 years of age through 69 years have a 30% higher risk of being involved in a fatal car accident. However, drivers who were 85 years of age or older endured a risk that is 3-4 times as high as adult drivers between the ages of 65- 69 years (“Distracted Driving and Crash Risk,” 2014). Distracted driving is a global epidemic that that must be corrected to ensure the safety of everyone on the road. We all fall guilty of taking our eyes off the road to check that text message, or changing the radio station or even taking in the

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

Once I turned 16 years old I started learning the basic rules of the road and driving. I was learning many things without even having to get on the road before I was ready. I was taught by my parents whom which have been driving for 20 years and more with a license. I had to learn the basic fundamentals of how to be responsible for myself and others before getting on the road with other drivers. Once I got enough practice I was driving on the road with supervision until I was able to handle driving on my own. Of course I had restrictions on where I can go and what time I have to be back by. The restrictions didn’t even have to be by law it could be from parents as well. But coming from someone that has been driving for about a year now I believe the driving age should not be raised.

Summary: The central focus of Pollastek et al’s (2012) study was to determine why elderly drivers are more likely to be involved in vehicular accidents at intersections than younger experienced drivers. As a means of data collection Pollastek et al (2012) tested the scanning ability of elderly drivers at intersections through a series of different scenarios. Each scenario took place in a simulated environment, testing the scanning ability of elderly drivers where they were instructed to go through 1) a four-way intersection, 2) turn right at a T-intersection and 3) proceed through an intersection. Pollastek et al (2012) found that elderly drivers fail to properly scan for potential hazards while proceeding through intersections. Pollastek et al (2012) also found that by providing video feedback the participants in the training group performed similarly to younger experienced 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

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.

Senior citizens need to be retested for their drivers license. “... we also believe elderly drivers with diminished vision and hearing, as well as slower reflexes, pose a greater danger to society as a whole (Should elderly drivers be retested?).” When the elderly looks at a

According to the National Institute of Health, there are several differences between old drivers and younger ones. Some of these differences favor seniors, such as experience behind the wheel. Other differences are areas of concern, such as "age-related declines in vision, hearing, and other abilities, as well as certain health conditions and medications, can affect driving skills." Further, when crashes occur, seniors are significantly more likely to be injured or killed than their younger counterparts.