Boy, people sure do have a chip on their shoulder when it comes to elderly drivers. What about all the exceptionally poor drivers of other age groups? I'm outraged they're still on the road and ever managed to pass a license test. They don't even have an excuse.
I agree there need to be checks to ensure that bad drivers are identified and kept off the road but why are we pretending like at some magic number drivers become "too" incompetent. Let's be retesting people all the way along, if that's the solution, because I know damn well some people never learn how to drive, let alone forget.
Unfortunately "out-of-control-geezers" is a media past time and we all seem to latch on to it. It is just so convenient. My personal experience has been that while I've seen elderly people have a lapse in judgment while driving, the pathologically dangerous driving I see day in and day out is from a much younger driver. So let's put things into perspective, shall we?
@NSFU: Because other regulations would fix those problems.
"out of control" younger groups are generally caused by things such as DRIVER DISTRACTION. Which many states are trying to pass laws about... you know, NO TEXTING. NO CELL PHONES, etc.
I can more or less gaurantee if you were to retest a "TERRIBLE" 34 year old driver, with a sheriff deputy in the car (at least here in ohio, deputy's do testing) they would pass the test quite easily. Why? The person taking the test isn't going to be yakking on a cell phone or trying to text 10 friends at once.
@Adam Spano: Even before cells, new drivers were bad drivers. They lacked experience, they overestimated their abilities, and were reckless but not, alas, wreckless. They hadn't had time to develop good habits. Indeed, cars were the leading cause of death in young men before bullets took over. Would you rather have a surgeon who's been operating for a year, or one for 10 or 20 years?
You are trying to simplify a complex problem to justify your ageist agenda. Driver distraction, or DRIVER DISTRACTION as you put it, is not the leading cause of poor driving, it certainly is a symptom of it though. These people are poor drivers no matter what they're doing or not doing. Do not delude yourself into believing that there are obvious targets to eliminate poor driving. It's more complicated than that.
@Novaload: I would not want a surgeon with arthritis and parkinsons operating on me, I would much rather have the surgeon who's been doing these things for a couple years than the guy that can't hold a scalpel straight.
I am not talking about the 1-2 year drivers. They are inherently dangerous and there is no way to get past that.
Face it. When you age, your reaction speeds, strength, mind, everything begins to fade. That is life. We should allow the person with the reaction speed and eyesight of a drunk to get behind the wheel even if they don't have any alcohol in their system? Come on now. Common sense, prevail, please.
The day I become too incompetent to drive, I will gladly hand my license over. #carcrime
@Adam Spano: My objection is "55" -- and first of all, Parkinson's can strike anyone at any age. Ask Michael J. Fox. Ditto arthritis. You seem to think people at the age of 55 are decrepit. That's just wrong. Oh, and for the record, sleep-deprived drivers are way up there on the list too--second only to texters and cell phoners. The impairment is the same as being drunk. #carcrime
You really don't wanna lose control of anything in a gas station...except maybe patience for elderly morons cheating odds and endangering others for their own pride and convenience.
I don't understand why we restrict teenage driving requirements but we do nothing about the elderly, who's reaction times generally decrease over time. Just because you've had your license for 65+ years does not automatically mean you are qualified to operate a deadly motor vehicle. More likely, it's BEEN 65+ years since you've taken the drivers test and had driver's training, and things and patterns have changed since then...mandatory driver's re-license test please.
Case in point: My grandmother ABSOLUTELY REFUSES to drive over 55 on the freeway. It's a harrowing experience to ride with her, and unnerving considering how unsafe it really is that EVERYONE is trying to get around her and avoid a rear collision. She thinks the 70s-80s 55mph mandate is still in effect, no matter what anyone says.
@UnlimitedRevs: Unfortunately,every time someone tries to bring about the changes you mention,the AARP and other senior groups rile them up,advising them that they will "lose their freedom"etc., if such legislature passes. They make up a large voting bloc. Do the math.
And I'm with you on the grandma thing...when mine was alive,she had the sense to quit when she decided things were too much to deal with,driving-wise. And yeah,I realize to some people once they quit doing that,they have to begin relying on other means to get around,or feel like it's "the beginning of the end",but I would love for someone to do a few follow-up articles on those same folks who have plowed into a crowd,or even just hit one person,and see how they feel about driving then.
@UnlimitedRevs: That's because when an elderly person gets in an accident it's at a lower speed than the teenager, who has just bowed to peer pressure to find out how fast the old Dodge Dynasty can really go.
Also, teens are usually thinking about sex, not how they're driving.
The driving test should require more than a rudimentary knowledge of basic automobile operation. Additionally, drivers should be required to pass it every time it expires, regardless of age.
@NSFU: Agree. Adam Spano, road-rage belongs to a younger age group. And you obviously think 55 is "really old"--recheck that. And I think people who drive and text should be executed and cellphones who are on for longer than 1 minute without pulling over should get two years in jail. Try my plan and see how drastically accident stats improve.
10/13/09
Sorry Matt, I'm just a little feisty today.
10/13/09
10/13/09
I agree there need to be checks to ensure that bad drivers are identified and kept off the road but why are we pretending like at some magic number drivers become "too" incompetent. Let's be retesting people all the way along, if that's the solution, because I know damn well some people never learn how to drive, let alone forget.
Unfortunately "out-of-control-geezers" is a media past time and we all seem to latch on to it. It is just so convenient. My personal experience has been that while I've seen elderly people have a lapse in judgment while driving, the pathologically dangerous driving I see day in and day out is from a much younger driver. So let's put things into perspective, shall we?
Incidentally I am 24 years old.
10/13/09
"out of control" younger groups are generally caused by things such as DRIVER DISTRACTION. Which many states are trying to pass laws about... you know, NO TEXTING. NO CELL PHONES, etc.
I can more or less gaurantee if you were to retest a "TERRIBLE" 34 year old driver, with a sheriff deputy in the car (at least here in ohio, deputy's do testing) they would pass the test quite easily. Why? The person taking the test isn't going to be yakking on a cell phone or trying to text 10 friends at once.
How is that for putting things into perspective?
10/13/09
10/14/09
10/14/09
10/15/09
I am not talking about the 1-2 year drivers. They are inherently dangerous and there is no way to get past that.
Face it. When you age, your reaction speeds, strength, mind, everything begins to fade. That is life. We should allow the person with the reaction speed and eyesight of a drunk to get behind the wheel even if they don't have any alcohol in their system? Come on now. Common sense, prevail, please.
The day I become too incompetent to drive, I will gladly hand my license over. #carcrime
10/16/09
10/13/09
10/13/09
10/13/09
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10/13/09
"Youth is truth, I wish 'old' rhymed with 'lies.'"
10/13/09
Case in point: My grandmother ABSOLUTELY REFUSES to drive over 55 on the freeway. It's a harrowing experience to ride with her, and unnerving considering how unsafe it really is that EVERYONE is trying to get around her and avoid a rear collision. She thinks the 70s-80s 55mph mandate is still in effect, no matter what anyone says.
10/13/09
And I'm with you on the grandma thing...when mine was alive,she had the sense to quit when she decided things were too much to deal with,driving-wise. And yeah,I realize to some people once they quit doing that,they have to begin relying on other means to get around,or feel like it's "the beginning of the end",but I would love for someone to do a few follow-up articles on those same folks who have plowed into a crowd,or even just hit one person,and see how they feel about driving then.
10/14/09
Also, teens are usually thinking about sex, not how they're driving.
10/13/09
shakes fist at teens...
10/13/09
10/13/09
Accidents and more importantly road-rage would decrease nationwide almost immediately
10/13/09
10/13/09
10/13/09
The driving test should require more than a rudimentary knowledge of basic automobile operation. Additionally, drivers should be required to pass it every time it expires, regardless of age.
There, fixed it for you.
10/13/09
10/13/09
You mean LeSabres, or Lucernes? Perhaps LaCrosses?
(BTW, Buick needs to lose the whole "Le-" prefix.)
(BTW, GM should have trashed Buick, not Pontiac.)
(BTW, Buick Sucks.)
10/13/09
They need to bring back the RWD Park Avenue or at least the Electra.
10/13/09
Forget the retirement age and just leave it at 55 then. IF you can drive fine at 55, then it's no concern!
10/13/09
What is flawed in this, exactly?
If you cannot pass the test that a 16 year old must take to get their drivers license, why should you still be allowed to drive?
A drivers license is a privilege, not a right. Being old does not mean the privilege should not be re-checked.
But yes, the fact old people are majority voters means this would never fly.
10/13/09
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