Someone Asked The Internet If Drivers Over 70 Should Require Special Testing, And Here’s How They Responded
A debate on elderly drivers has flared up after a Reddit user asked the online community if drivers over the age of 70 should require ‘specialized’ testing to keep their licenses. Even the seniors themselves have chimed in, and you might be surprised by how they responded.
Though the Reddit user didn’t clarify exactly what they meant by ‘specialized driving tests,’ their proposed law is already a partial reality in some States. In Texas, for example, drivers over 85 must renew their licenses every 2 years rather than the standard 6, and must pass a vision test each time. It’s a requirement known as Katie’s Law, introduced in 2007 after a 90-year-old driver missed a stoplight and killed 17-year-old Katie Bolka in Dallas. Most States, however, have no special provisions for pensioners behind the wheel.
While it’s true that not every senior driver is likely to cause fatal accidents, it’s clear that people do have serious concerns over whether or not they should be allowed on the road. Scroll down to read the Internet’s reactions, opinions, and personal accounts, and don’t forget to tell us what you think at the end.
retest everyone:
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Share on FacebookYES!! No disrespect intended. It is just a fact of life! As you age, your reaction time slows, eyesight worsens, etc. Elderly drivers cause MANY accidents! My husband was in an accident because an elderly driver thought he had the light turn make a left turn. Phil was coming in the opposite direction, going the speed limit. The elderly man had a RED light! But, he turned left anyway, crossing in front of Phil at the last second! NO WAY for my husband to NOT hit him! Phils neck injury was awful, SEVERE whiplash! New York is a "no-fault" state, (IT SUCKS!). Phil couldnt even sue him for damages, as his injuries were all soft tissue! 5 years later and he STILL suffers from VERY limited range of movement in his neck!
The mileage-based crash rate also decreased with increasing driver ag e until ages 60-69, and then increased slightly as age increased beyond this range. Drivers in their 70’s were involved in about the same number of crashes per mile driven as drivers in their 30’s, drivers ages 80-84 were involved in about the same number of crashes per mile driven as drivers ages 25-29, and drivers ages 85 and older were involved in about the same number of crashes per mile driven as drivers ages 20-24. Teenage driv ers had by far the highest rates of crash involvement both in relation to their share of the driving popula tion and in relation to the amount of driving that they did. https://www.aaafoundation.org/sites/default/files/2012OlderDriverRisk.pdf
I think what is being talked about here is severe cases of dementia, loss of vision and that kind of stuff that might be very dangerous for everybody. You can keep your number. I'd love to keep people that IS DANGEROUS away from our roads, thank you very much.
Load More Replies...My mom works with patients getting eye surgery. More than once, she tested someone, then had to refuse to let them drive home because of how bad their vision is. Once a lady was annoyed she had to come pick up her mother because her mother was supposed to pick up her kids from school. Seriously, you don't see any problem with letting your kids get in a car with a blind driver? I'd support the idea of testing drivers every 5-10 years (road test, not just vision). I've seen plenty of people under 70 who shouldn't have a license. Of course, it is a little hard to judge which age group is more likely to get into accidents, since most data I've seen doesn't show it in relation to how many in that group drive.
You can't single out certain OAP's to take tests. My dad is 73 and is a really good driver. Some old people look so scared behind the wheel and travelling so slow on quite fast roads (70mph motorways mainly). I really don't know how you would get round this. Yes in the UK you are given a bus pass when you are 65 but public transport is just awful! A lot of them still want to drive and have independence and hate having to rely on other people. This will just keep going on and on as there is no solution. I've seen really bad drivers in their 30's let alone in their 70's!!
It's a good idea but you should have included actual numbers on how many accidents caused by 60-90 years old vs 30-60-year-olds vs 16-30-year-olds a year. Then we could answer the question honestly. My mom drove up to when she passed away at 85 and never in her life had a car accident, My neighbor(friend) was killed by a 42-year old that said he never saw the big red stop sign when he ran into her car. So let's have the numbers to see if specialized training is necessary and who should get it.
People are living longer. People are therefore driving later in life and also therefore doing so with a higher likelihood of poorer eyesight or reaction times or potentially with disease such as dementia. I don't see why a test couldn't be done and I see no reason why it shouldn't be done. I also think once you reach 70 your doctor should be expected to provide you with a medical note like diabetics have to get to be able to drive and have that assessed every two years.
One day I saw My elderly father in law driving on the wrong side of the road with all the car doors open... still kept his license . Fell asleep driving on the freeway and went off of an off ramp... still kept his licence... he no longer drives. but not because they took his privileged away...
I think the opinion that everyone should be held to a periodical retest is a cop out and a non-answer. The reality is that given time and luck, we'll all be there at some point and may become increasingly dangerous on the roads. It's gonna suck, but there's no shame in your body just breaking down.
I completely disagree with the statement that elderly people cause no more accidents than younger drivers. I have almost been hit by elderly drivers 2x the amount that I've almost been hit by younger drivers. The youngest drivers need to simply put their damn phones down.
I am from country where the periodical examination in seniors is mandatory. The driving exam is not necessary but they are obligued to undergo medical testing at 65, 68, 70 years and then every 2 years. Most people over 80 are not permitted to proceed with driving, mostly because of eye or response problems. The healt certificate is needed to keep in the car with. Elderly are allowed to use public city transportation without fee and inter-city with discount.
YES!! No disrespect intended. It is just a fact of life! As you age, your reaction time slows, eyesight worsens, etc. Elderly drivers cause MANY accidents! My husband was in an accident because an elderly driver thought he had the light turn make a left turn. Phil was coming in the opposite direction, going the speed limit. The elderly man had a RED light! But, he turned left anyway, crossing in front of Phil at the last second! NO WAY for my husband to NOT hit him! Phils neck injury was awful, SEVERE whiplash! New York is a "no-fault" state, (IT SUCKS!). Phil couldnt even sue him for damages, as his injuries were all soft tissue! 5 years later and he STILL suffers from VERY limited range of movement in his neck!
The mileage-based crash rate also decreased with increasing driver ag e until ages 60-69, and then increased slightly as age increased beyond this range. Drivers in their 70’s were involved in about the same number of crashes per mile driven as drivers in their 30’s, drivers ages 80-84 were involved in about the same number of crashes per mile driven as drivers ages 25-29, and drivers ages 85 and older were involved in about the same number of crashes per mile driven as drivers ages 20-24. Teenage driv ers had by far the highest rates of crash involvement both in relation to their share of the driving popula tion and in relation to the amount of driving that they did. https://www.aaafoundation.org/sites/default/files/2012OlderDriverRisk.pdf
I think what is being talked about here is severe cases of dementia, loss of vision and that kind of stuff that might be very dangerous for everybody. You can keep your number. I'd love to keep people that IS DANGEROUS away from our roads, thank you very much.
Load More Replies...My mom works with patients getting eye surgery. More than once, she tested someone, then had to refuse to let them drive home because of how bad their vision is. Once a lady was annoyed she had to come pick up her mother because her mother was supposed to pick up her kids from school. Seriously, you don't see any problem with letting your kids get in a car with a blind driver? I'd support the idea of testing drivers every 5-10 years (road test, not just vision). I've seen plenty of people under 70 who shouldn't have a license. Of course, it is a little hard to judge which age group is more likely to get into accidents, since most data I've seen doesn't show it in relation to how many in that group drive.
You can't single out certain OAP's to take tests. My dad is 73 and is a really good driver. Some old people look so scared behind the wheel and travelling so slow on quite fast roads (70mph motorways mainly). I really don't know how you would get round this. Yes in the UK you are given a bus pass when you are 65 but public transport is just awful! A lot of them still want to drive and have independence and hate having to rely on other people. This will just keep going on and on as there is no solution. I've seen really bad drivers in their 30's let alone in their 70's!!
It's a good idea but you should have included actual numbers on how many accidents caused by 60-90 years old vs 30-60-year-olds vs 16-30-year-olds a year. Then we could answer the question honestly. My mom drove up to when she passed away at 85 and never in her life had a car accident, My neighbor(friend) was killed by a 42-year old that said he never saw the big red stop sign when he ran into her car. So let's have the numbers to see if specialized training is necessary and who should get it.
People are living longer. People are therefore driving later in life and also therefore doing so with a higher likelihood of poorer eyesight or reaction times or potentially with disease such as dementia. I don't see why a test couldn't be done and I see no reason why it shouldn't be done. I also think once you reach 70 your doctor should be expected to provide you with a medical note like diabetics have to get to be able to drive and have that assessed every two years.
One day I saw My elderly father in law driving on the wrong side of the road with all the car doors open... still kept his license . Fell asleep driving on the freeway and went off of an off ramp... still kept his licence... he no longer drives. but not because they took his privileged away...
I think the opinion that everyone should be held to a periodical retest is a cop out and a non-answer. The reality is that given time and luck, we'll all be there at some point and may become increasingly dangerous on the roads. It's gonna suck, but there's no shame in your body just breaking down.
I completely disagree with the statement that elderly people cause no more accidents than younger drivers. I have almost been hit by elderly drivers 2x the amount that I've almost been hit by younger drivers. The youngest drivers need to simply put their damn phones down.
I am from country where the periodical examination in seniors is mandatory. The driving exam is not necessary but they are obligued to undergo medical testing at 65, 68, 70 years and then every 2 years. Most people over 80 are not permitted to proceed with driving, mostly because of eye or response problems. The healt certificate is needed to keep in the car with. Elderly are allowed to use public city transportation without fee and inter-city with discount.
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