Who is safe on the road as we get older ?
@samtaylorskykierajen (7977)
Canada
May 5, 2007 12:53pm CST
Before one is able to get a driver's licence one is required to pass a driver's test to make sure that one is safe to be on the road but what happens when we get older . Once you have a driver's licence it is yours as long as you follow the laws of the road but what happens as we get older and we become a danger to the everyone . Should there be an age where one should be checked out to be sure that they are still safe to be on the highway ?
I know in our area one has to renew their driver's license every ten years as you can change your looks so much in ten years , yet there is no other test that is required to make sure you are not a hazzard to everyone on the road or to yourself . A lot can happen in a period of ten years such as being required to wear glasses or even getting older .
Many do not want to complain about the elderly that are driving even though they are a danger to themseves and to anyone else on the road for fear of hurting someone's feelings but what happens when someone is hurt as a result of this ? Do you believe their should be a law passed that requires each of us as we age to take a drivers test to ensure the safety of everyone on the road or should it be left the way it is ?
3 people like this
9 responses
@villageanne (8553)
• United States
5 May 07
We were hit by an elderly man who could only see out of one eye. He pulled out of his drive way and hit us broad side. The state police came and explained to us that he was old. I just thought to myself "DA, I can see that but he needs his license taken away if he cant see to drive". This same man hit another vehicle just a week later the same way he hit us.
The elderly dont realize that their reflexes are not as fast as they once was. They dont realize that they cants see or react as good as they once could.
My husbands Grandfather has so many wrecks the last month of his driving. Finally we got till we would forget to give him his keys when we moved the truck for him or we would ask him to go to town with us when he mentioned going to town. We were never mean but we were just trying to portect him and everyone else.
I dont know what the solution is. I hate to think of being rude to people just beause they are elderly. Some elderly loose their ability to reason and think much sooner than others so I am not sure that a certian age would work. I just dont know whtat the solution is but there does need to be something done. I just dont want to be the one to do it. LOL I love the elderly with all my heart.
@villageanne (8553)
• United States
5 May 07
This reminds me of that joke about the elderly woman is watching the new and they have a "happening news" come on. they tell of a vehicle driving down the wrong way on the interstate. Police are trying to get this vehicel to pull over.
The woman immediately thinks of her husband who went to the market. She calls him on his cell phone and tells him to be careful as there is a vehicle driving in the wrong direction.
He says "they are all driving in the wrong direction. The police are behind me and not even stopping them."
LOL
1 person likes this
@samtaylorskykierajen (7977)
• Canada
6 May 07
I agree with you completely , no one wants to be the one to have to tell their loved ones that they are now too be driving and a hazzard on the road but they are causing accidents .
The joke is cute . Thank you for your response .
1 person likes this
@easy888 (10405)
• Australia
5 May 07
Hello,samtaylorskykierajen,I think there is no problem for old people to drive ,in fact,some even drive much more careful than the teenagers.
It may be a good idea to pass a law so that drivers have to renew their licenses regularly,let say 5 or 10 years,it may not only applied to the old people but everyone so that the standard of the drivers can be maintaine.For example, if a person got a license when he/she is 20 but have not been driving for ten years, may be the skills have became awkward,so it will be beneficial to other road users if drivers tests are taken for the drivers in particular time.
@kgwat70 (13388)
• United States
5 May 07
Not all of the older people are hazardous drivers as there are many older drivers here that drive well and safely. I think it is more the younger people driving that are more hazardous and maybe they should make it tougher on the teenagers to get licenses. Drivers tests are good for people of all ages, not just the elderly. Where I live you still have to pass the eye exam when you renew your license to make sure you can read the signs on the road. They just do not make you take a written or a driving test again. We renew our licenses every five years.
1 person likes this
@dragonstar13 (1465)
• United States
6 May 07
I think by the age of 45 or 50, annual or biannual road tests should be mandatory. I am 52 and I know my reflexes are slower and my eyesight has changed several times since my last licensing test.
But I know the DMV just doesn't have the personnel to administer that many tests. Are you younger drivers willing to ante up a higher registration amount on your vehicles to pay for more driving examiners? I know I can't afford much more in taxes.
Also, if we are going to ask some people to renew their license every ten years by mail, and others to take an actual test every year, the people coming in annually should not have to spend the afternoon in line. They should have some type of appointment time where the wait would be minimal.
By the way, AARP offers refresher driving courses for older drivers.
@Destiny007 (5805)
• United States
6 May 07
I think a law like this should be passed. If not for every time you renew your license, then at least every other time.
It should be for all ages and not just for the elderly.
@di1indilin (802)
• India
6 May 07
As a guy gets older his driving license matures to a license to kill, and the law hopes that he is the one who gets killed.Simple as that.
@Viralg (66)
• India
6 May 07
y??? whn one becomes old he becomes a danger i thin the fresher will b much dangerous thn a old person cus he will dry slow and smooth but the fresher will try to accelerate as much as possible and risk ta olds life!!!!! i think lisence should b given taking account coolness during traffic!!! so that accidents will come to a end!!
