Too old to drive?

Cerise · Aug 30, 2012

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-19419495

The article is about a driver aged 100, actually a few days short of his 101 birthday, who reversed into a group of children some of whom were seriously injured.

My husband and I disagree on the subject of age/driving.

He says that people should be allowed to drive for as long as they feel safe, that young drivers also cause accidents and that for some, its their only way of getting out and about. He says he will 'probably' stop driving long distances at some point but will continue to use a car to get to the local town 3 miles away.

I disagree. I think that a driving licence should be revoked on reaching retirement age and that a strict test should be compulsory every year. If its failed for any reason then the licence is gone and should not be regained
I take this view because I think that the number of years spent driving accident free has nothing to do with a persons current safety, that the older you get then the slower your reactions and the less likely you are to be as fit and healthy as someone half your age.

myp · Aug 30, 2012

I do not think there should be an age limit. There are easily better 80 year old drivers than 16 year old drivers. If they are still competent, they should be allowed to drive.

On a side note, this might be a passing problem if self-driving cars can get over political barriers.

David · Aug 30, 2012

Cerise said:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-19419495

The article is about a driver aged 100, actually a few days short of his 101 birthday, who reversed into a group of children some of whom were seriously injured.

My husband and I disagree on the subject of age/driving.

He says that people should be allowed to drive for as long as they feel safe, that young drivers also cause accidents and that for some, its their only way of getting out and about. He says he will 'probably' stop driving long distances at some point but will continue to use a car to get to the local town 3 miles away.

I disagree. I think that a driving licence should be revoked on reaching retirement age and that a strict test should be compulsory every year. If its failed for any reason then the licence is gone and should not be regained
I take this view because I think that the number of years spent driving accident free has nothing to do with a persons current safety, that the older you get then the slower your reactions and the less likely you are to be as fit and healthy as someone half your age.

Everyone, regardless of age, should be forced to take the written test if they have a ticket on record when it comes time to renew. They should have to take the written and driving tests if they have 2. If they have 4 it should be revoked as soon as the 4th ticket is written.

Nemo · Aug 30, 2012

"The more you drive, the less intelligent you are."
Repo Man (1984)

I'm 72 years old. I quit driving about 4 years ago. I walk mostly; but if I need a ride somewhere too far to walk, I call a cab. And, when I go out on the town, I hire a limo.

clax · Sep 1, 2012

David said:
Everyone, regardless of age, should be forced to take the written test if they have a ticket on record when it comes time to renew. They should have to take the written and driving tests if they have 2. If they have 4 it should be revoked as soon as the 4th ticket is written.

I agree people should have to take a test, however I think it should be souly practical periodically, no matter of how many tickets you get.

I have to take a shooting practical every four years to keep my fire arm license. I have seen far more deaths due to car accidents.

it really is about complacency

Jessi · Dec 20, 2012

I don't think retirement age is appropriate to revoke it. Most times, people are still perfectly fine at that point.

I do agree that the test should be done yearly, though, and I also think that health conditions should be taken into account. Young drivers definitely make stupid mistakes and can hurt people just as easily. Older people tend to come with the higher risk of having a heart attack and whatnot while driving, though, too, and yes, their reaction time slows, so it all needs to be considered before renewing the license each year.

blurinoctober · Dec 21, 2012

As others have said, I don't think strictly revoking at retirement age is the answer, especially because many people retire at different ages. It'd all be different! I think people should be tested and inspected every year. Their health problems should be considered, as well as standard eye and hearing tests, on top of the obvious driving test.

adiscerningheart · Dec 22, 2012

Thank goodness that none of the children got hurt! When it comes to the topic of age and anything, I first think of what I would want in my old age. If I was healthy and cognitive at 65 retirement age, I would want to drive. I would also want to travel the world and enjoy what is left of my life, hopefully another 45 years. When or if I even live to be 100, I am not even sure if I would want to drive. I would be afraid of running something over too! Not sure what really happened with this guy, but I am sure it was an accident just like any other young adult. I wouldn't restrict him because of age, I would first check hearing, vision, and comprehension, then determine the restrictions.

whocky · Dec 23, 2012

I don't think there should be an age limit of when you should stop driving though what i think should happen is that when you reach 70 year old you should have to go for tests every few years to make sure that you are still fit enough to drive and if not revoke the driving license.

ThirdTerm · Dec 23, 2012

Currently, if you're 70 or older, you can renew your driver's licence online as long as you can meet the minimum eyesight requirement but there should be a on-site check by specialists to see if an elderly person is actually fit enough to drive and a 100-year-old man is obviously too old to drive while many elderly folks in their 70s could still be capable of driving safely.

David · Dec 23, 2012

ThirdTerm said:
Currently, if you're 70 or older, you can renew your driver's licence online as long as you can meet the minimum eyesight requirement but there should be a on-site check by specialists to see if an elderly person is actually fit enough to drive and a 100-year-old man is obviously too old to drive while many elderly folks in their 70s could still be capable of driving safely.

I've known some lively centurions...

Too old to drive?

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