Now when I say elderly I mean people in their 70’s and higher. I know this is not technology/Internet related, but I have been wondering about this question for a while now, and I just wanted to share my view on this blog. Elderly people that I see out on the busy streets drive really slow. Slow to the point where the car behind them starts honking and goes around them. It's true that elders are more experienced in driving than most teens, as they drive slow in order to be careful, but is it safe for them on a road often occupied by reckless teens and adults? Drivers who are about 75 and older have a higher chance of obtaining severe injuries than any other person. I know it seems like I am implying that if elders can't drive then teens can't either, but as we get older, we start to have poor vision and hearing, a loss of strength, and the loss of the ability to focus while driving. Elders most likely puts everyone at risk if they are not capable of driving.
In my opinion, I believe elderly people can still drive as long as they are not driving alone. Someone younger than them can (or should) help guide them while driving to reduce the chance of becoming involved in a car accident. On a side note, it really just depends if the driver is capable of driving. It wouldn't be fair for elders that are still strong and healthy who aren't being allowed to drive because of the fact that they are “too old.” Another alternative for the elderly driving is to just call an Uber or Lyft to bring them places. It may cost them a bit of money, but it's better than costing them their lives while out on the road.
When do you think older people should stop driving? Or should they be able to still drive no matter the age? What's your intake on this topic?
In my opinion, I believe elderly people can still drive as long as they are not driving alone. Someone younger than them can (or should) help guide them while driving to reduce the chance of becoming involved in a car accident. On a side note, it really just depends if the driver is capable of driving. It wouldn't be fair for elders that are still strong and healthy who aren't being allowed to drive because of the fact that they are “too old.” Another alternative for the elderly driving is to just call an Uber or Lyft to bring them places. It may cost them a bit of money, but it's better than costing them their lives while out on the road.
When do you think older people should stop driving? Or should they be able to still drive no matter the age? What's your intake on this topic?
For drivers in California, once they are seventy years old they have to renew their driver's license. When they renew their driver's license they have to be at the DMV since they can't renew it online. In order to renew their driver's license, they also have to take a vision test in order to determine whether or not they are capable of driving. If they pass it then they get their license renewed and there should be no problem with them driving as they can see good. If a driver over the age of seventy has caused problems while driving, when they go to renew their license, they are obligated to take a behind the wheel test to evaluate their driving capabilities. Right there is where they will be told if they can or can not keep driving so in my opinion, it shouldn't be necessary for people over the age of seventy to drive with younger people since they have already been evaluated and passed the tests.
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DeleteI still think it is necessary for the elders to drive with someone younger because we're talking about safety here and not just being able to drive. These are just tests allowing elders to drive, but it doesn't help with the fact that they may still get into car accidents no matter what. Besides, they wouldn't have to go and renew their license if they were guided by someone else in the first place. Also, what about the people outside of California? Anywhere in the world, there will always be reckless drivers, so it's better to be safe than sorry.
DeleteI understand that elders may have a bigger risk on driving than younger people, but those tests prove that they are capable of driving. Sure, their lives may be on the risk and they may still get into car accidents, but everyone who drives is in a risk of a car accident. Also how are the elders gonna have a younger person with them all the time? An Uber and Lyft seems to be very money consuming. What happens if they don't have the money or someone to be in the car with them, but is in need for going to places like doctor visits?
DeleteYou make a very good point, Nicole. Older people put themselves and others at risk when they continue to drive despite their vision and hearing beginning to fail them. I agree that some older people are still very capable of driving and should not be forced to stop because of their age. Your idea of having a younger person beside them as a guide is well thought out; however, I feel that if the older driver is at a point where they are in need of someone else guiding them, they should just stop driving. Their guide could simply drive for them as they are already in the car, and for the elder to drive at that point seems more like them just wanting the novelty of being behind the wheel.
ReplyDeleteAccording to the DMV as you get older you must test your vision, hearing, reaction skills and more as you get older. The DMV purposely has Elders who are 65 and older come back to retake those tests to make sure they are still safe enough for our roads. I believe that everyone who decides to drive should think about their lives and the life of others before they decide to begin driving recklessly.
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