Older Drivers (Very Sensitive Topic!)

My mother turns 91 in September and still drives.

I had to go down to Portland and talk to her about her failing short term memory. Both my brother and myself were receiving phone calls from her credit union, pharmacy, and a couple other places.

Needless to say, not the most fun conversation I have had with my mother. However I told her she needed to see her doctor about this, and she agreed. I was not able to go back down for the appointment, but my brothers wife went with her. One of the things that was discussed was her driving. The doctor stated that he did not want to take away her driving priviledges. I was surprised.
 
I think something needs to be done. It can't be age based, I know some people in the 70-80s that are great drivers and some much younger that are a real hazard to themselves and others. I really think that an annual physical driving test, as well as eye and hearing tests should be administered beyond 65-70 to try and weed the ones out that don't need to be driving.
 
physical health should be involved too. commercial drivers are required to pass a DOT physical every two years unless their blood pressure is high or they have other problems. as long as they are healthy and have all their sense's i dont see a problem with it. i can see where it would be a problem in bigger cities. if the government lowered the speed limit like in the 70's it would conserve fuel too. kinda like killing two birds with one stone.
 
All drivers should have to pass a more involved test than they currently do. Proving that you can drive around some cones in a parking lot on a pretty day does not prove that you can interact safely with other vehicles on the road. This is especially true in a city like Atlanta where drivers are 5 lanes wide, bumper to bumper, at 80mph. Driving has become a right, it isn't. Driving is a privilege and if you exercising that privilege puts other people at risk then you shouldn't have it.

I live in an area with a large population of seniors. Most of them drive under the speed limit, pull out into traffic w/o accelerating, hit their brakes because they thought they saw something etc. While they may not be involved (hit) in many accidents, they cause many more.

Everyone, simulator to get license, retest every 10 years
Over 65, simulator test every 3 years.
Over 75, simulator every 2 plus proof of fair health
Over 85, simulator every 1 plus fair health, plus physical
 
Scrambler1 said:
...Most of them drive under the speed limit, pull out into traffic w/o accelerating, hit their brakes because they thought they saw something etc. While they may not be involved (hit) in many accidents, they cause many more.
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I resent those comments, but I also resemble them:( :( :(

Joe I think your test criteria are too liberal ;) :p

I would push for annual driving checks for everyone over the age of 65. And regular checks for those under 65 maybe every five years.
 
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Prof said:
I resent those comment, but I also resemble them:( :( :(

Joe I think your test criteria are too liberal ;) :p

I would push for annual driving checks for everyone over the age of 65. And regular checks for those under 65 maybe every five years.
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They do that now in California....

Quick, 64 and counting.....
 
Well my grandmother was killed in a car accident when she turned in front of a semi truck, she was 86. She had a farm in south ga and was coming back from town. Her mind was prob on all of the things she had to get done for family to be in town instead of on driving. We've all had those moments, the difference is that at 86 her reaction wasn't fast enough to realize her mistake before she was hit.

My father is in his mid 60's and I can tell that his driving ability has begun to slip. I've already told him that if he starts hitting shit that I'm going to get him a driver. He laughs now because it's half joking but when the day comes it's going to be a battle. He loves to drive, boats/cars whatever. The discussion would be a lot easier if I had some simulator results to look at or if he lost his license.

Roy, I'm letting your liberal comment go :)
 
Scrambler1 said:
Roy, I'm letting your liberal comment go :)
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Sorry, really, I just could not pass the opportunity! :D


I think tough love is something we have to consider with older drivers...and yes, I may have to sell my truck if my quarter mile times slip into the 15's due to driver age!
 
Prof said:
Sorry, really, I just could not pass the opportunity! :D


I think tough love is something we have to consider with older drivers...and yes, I may have to sell my truck if my quarter mile times slip into the 15's due to driver age!
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saw on the news today Obama's rating dropped to 54%:D
 
eddie102870 said:
saw on the news today Obama's rating dropped to 54%:D
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Yup, but that is 2% higher than the percentage of the popular vote he got! Strange numbers...certainly better than the 27% that George had at then end of his administration.
 
Prof said:
Yup, but that is 2% higher than the percentage of the popular vote he got! Strange numbers...certainly better than the 27% that George had at then end of his administration.
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we will see where he's at in 3 years.looks like he's having him a ball spending our grandkids tax dollars
 
Yes, the expense is staggering. I hope there will be avenues that are not too onerous to resolve the debt issues. But we also have the Medicare Trust Fund, and the solvency of Social Security to address too!
 
According to this survey, 45 - 64 are the best driving ages. WOW.. I.. didn't.... know that..
 
Somekind of "abilities" test needs to be taken.....I live in S. Fla where 1/2 the drivers on the road are either old or not from this country which is just as bad of a hazard.....
In the past week I was nearly sideswiped, and swerved to the shoulder lane by someone who recently moved here, and about 2 days ago at the store I was almost hit by an old lady who did not look backing out...
I've rode in the car with my 81 yr old grandfather and he's still got the skills but things don't come as quick to him anymore as someone like me who is a lot younger!
 
Age is only one of many factors. There are so many people on the road that can't drive it is insane. Old folks are not the biggest problem if you ask me. The biggest problem today is texting while driving.
 
One thing to remember is that driving, like a lot of skills takes practice to stay sharp.

Look at Paul Newman. He was still driving race cars when he was in his 70's, and doing a damn fine job.

That is one of the reasons I like performace cars. You have to stay sharp to drive them.
 
Prof said:
...and yes, I may have to sell my truck if my quarter mile times slip into the 15's due to driver age!
Click to expand...

Hey, good idea. Have simulator tests for those over 65. If they can't run in the 12's with a 500 hp car (or 650 hp truck), they have to take a more rigorous cognitive function test. If they pass the second test, but fail the first, they are restricted to driving in the right lane only. And to signal their driving status to other drivers, they will be required to leave their left blinker on indefinitely. I've noticed that some of the elderly are already doing this voluntarily, so the word must be spreading....
 
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