DEBATE: Should Elderlies Be On The Road?

It seems that elderly drivers are popping up everywhere these days.  And, I am not simply speaking of older drivers. You know the ones I am talking about.

The snow-haired grandparent that is either crawling at 20 MPH in a 50, the elders who sit in the "fast lane," on the interstate, and perhaps even make a right-hand turn from the left lane. Usually it becomes a game of cat and mouse while I weigh the risk of passing Father Time who, more often than not, cannot see over the steering wheel and looks more frightened than a goldfish about to be swallowed by a great white shark.

This raises a question: why are they still on the road?

In these dire times of bankruptcy, it makes me wonder why statewide Department of Transportation boards are not insisting that drivers need to retake licensing tests. Especially when states, like New York, require that all vehicles within the state MUST get newly redesigned license plates -- a $50 charge per vehicle. The state is that strapped for cash. Mind you New York already did this five to eight years ago, give or take.

Instead of doing something that is passive, why not do something actually useful?

I want to know, SPIES, do you think we should have annual driver exams?

Most drivers seem to forget that driving is not a right, it is a privilege.


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jpighetti - 11/28/2009 9:55:43 AM

+6 Boost

I think this is an important, but sensitive, topic. However, age is not the only determining factor here; it's anything that impairs someone's ability to drive a vehicle. For some it might be a medical condition like a seizure disorder or narcolepsy, for others it might be the reduction in reaction time that comes with age. I think there should be a mandatory re-test at maybe age 65 or 70, as well as an obligation on the part of the doctor to request a retest if he or she feels it's necessary.

dumpsty - 11/28/2009 10:25:47 AM

+3 Boost

Agreed.

But this is a loaded question. There are plenty of people 65 and older than can hop in their vehicle and zip around in whatever traffic is in their way. But there are elderly drivers that slow-poke in the left lane of rush-hour traffic because they feel the speed limit is way too fast --- those people need not be driving.

My grandmother is 85 and she'll go to the gym, store, and gas station. But she knows to stay off the roads during peak traffic hours. And if she absolutely needs to go someplace during rush-hour or after dark, she'll call somebody younger to ask for a ride.

Many of us get very impatient with elderly drivers b/c they know they shouldn't be out on the highways during peak traffic times, but they do it anyway.

jpighetti - 11/28/2009 12:23:23 PM

+2 Boost

Yeah I think the only time someone's age should ever be factored in is solely as a firm basis for a retest, since there would have to be a specific number at which the retest is required. You get your license at 16 1/2, buy smokes at 18, drink at 21, and get retested for your license at 70. Same number for everyone, no discrimination. From there it's the responsibility of a health care professional to pay attention. Your doc has no problem telling you to stop overexerting if you have a heart condition so you don't kill yourself. He should have no problem telling someone that it's likely no longer safe to drive to perhaps prevent them from killing someone else.

0to60 - 11/28/2009 12:42:35 PM

+2 Boost

There are many "not so elderlies" that do this to. What do we do with them?

Agent63 - 11/28/2009 10:19:32 AM

-2 Boost

The elders who make the road a boring place to be in some parts of America are driving around in Lexus automobiles. The exciting ones are driving around in SL's, 6 series, and the likes.

I just had to say it to test you all :) Deboost me now.

rxh8me9000 - 11/28/2009 2:09:44 PM

-2 Boost

lol your 100% right. I still see 70 year olds in Vettes light up the street at a light,but I do see a lot of older people driving the Lexus ES in black,white or champagne and they do seem to be the ones holding up traffic.

800over - 11/28/2009 11:42:34 AM

+3 Boost

And you wonder why there are all these "Unintended accelerations"

stone - 11/28/2009 12:24:14 PM

+1 Boost

It should be all about their capabilities, we have some of the weakest requirements to get a license I have ever seen. We need to make the price of admission for getting a license higher for EVERYONE, if you learn how to properly handle a car when you are younger, you will take those skills with you throughout your life, your reaction time might get slower but that's about it.

My grandmother drove until she was 85 yrs old and I had no problem riding with her anywhere. One of my uncles just had his 75th birthday and bought himself a brand new M3 to celebrate, I would put him against many of the self proclaimed Lewis Hamiltons on this board any day. After a certain point, age becomes a factor no doubt, and alot of senior just don't know when to let it go, but there are many great elderly drivers on the road and just as many crappy young drivers. The bad young drivers are far more dangerous IMO.

rxh8me9000 - 11/28/2009 2:05:25 PM

+1 Boost

I dont care how young a person feels,but at age 85 very few people should be driving. The average human by age 80 is only able to hear 20% of what they once did.Only 10% can see well.Sensory loss plays a big factor in the elderly holding up traffic,driving slow etc.I think after 60 a person should have to take a hearing and eye exam along with having a doctor evaluate the persons medical history to give the DMV an ok.Now, I'm not saying this applies to every older person because it doesn't. There are some elderly people in their 80's and even 90's still jogging,riding bikes etc.It becomes a case of is it fair to take things away from someone just because they are getting old?If its risks the lives of people around them,I say yes. That car that hits them from the back because they slammed on the brakes,or the car that got hit because someone could not see them till the last minute might be your mom,aunt,brother or sister etc.

jpighetti - 11/28/2009 2:44:48 PM

+6 Boost

As a side note, and I can't believe this escaped the crowd on here, but referring to a group of old people as "elderlies"? Really? Not " Should the elderly be on the road", but "Should elderlies be on the road?".

Who writes this stuff? Idiotses?

Agent00R - 11/28/2009 3:22:46 PM

-1 Boost

Yeah, I wrote it at 3:00 a.m.

Thanks for the tip!

Agent00R - 11/28/2009 3:26:21 PM

0 Boost

Well upon closer inspection it IS being used correctly.

So, thanks for the assumption.

You know what they say about ass-uming

0to60 - 11/28/2009 5:45:53 PM

+4 Boost

The elderly does sound better than elderlies, lol.

rigid - 11/28/2009 6:54:27 PM

+3 Boost

But Tiger Woods is only 34?

MSP6 - 11/28/2009 7:38:44 PM

+1 Boost

I really think Tiger was drunk. 2am, hitting a fire hydrant then a tree, being injured because not wearing his seatbelt.. humm that sounds strange.

That being said, stats proves that 24 yo and younger are causing the more fatalities. Question should be : Should teenager e on the road ?

delan - 11/29/2009 1:08:38 AM

0 Boost

Actually, according to Perezhilton.com (don't judge me...lol) The wife was hitting the vehicle with golf clubs and he veered off the road hit a tree. The lacerations on his face were from her (allegations of infidelity) And here I am thinking it was only sistas who got hardcore like that.

VISO - 11/28/2009 7:54:30 PM

+1 Boost

Agreed, it should not necessarily be based of the fact that someone is over 65 years of age. Many factors such as a physical and cognitive conditions needed to be accounted for. Refresher safety driving courses should be made a requirement for those over 65 (though it would hurt at any age to learn defensive and safe driving). Hey, my mom is 79 and drives her S6 she bought last year without any problems. Luckily, she learned to drive on the autobahns in her native country.

monster - 11/28/2009 8:48:10 PM

+3 Boost

Does anyone has any numbers regarding accidents caused by elderly and those caused by teanagers and youngsters? if you apply the rule to the elderly then you have to apply the same rule to the young.
The other question is even an elderly is driving slow.. given they are a pain for the rest of us, it makes them independent. They can move around and do their chores. You take that right away from them, you might was well put them in the coffin. So you know what's coming for you too. because some day you will grow old.. at lease we all hope that.

If you take away those right, do you want to donate some of your tax dollars to take care of the elderly. The government can even pay social security you think they would be able to take care of people.

Don't be so hypocrite. As much as it pains us when they dive on the road, let them have their freedom.

I know there are some who will say that they drive dangerously... yes... so do youngsters and they get points and gets their license suspended. The same rule applies to elderly.

pennfootball - 11/30/2009 10:44:21 AM

-1 Boost

Old people can't make coffee and they let them operate heavy machinery going 75 miles an hour! This is Madness!

TehShibbs - 11/30/2009 6:24:15 PM

+3 Boost

Mandatory ride-along every 2 years for license renewal. This should go for EVERYONE. Also, doctors should be able to revoke licenses depending on certain illnesses - Alzheimer's being a notable one.