I feel that once someone reaches a certain age, they need to retake the Driver’s Exam every year. I have seen far too many very elderly people get into car accidents or endanger the lives of other drivers due to reckless driving. Once someone reaches a certain age, their hearing and sight just don’t work as well anymore and they should have to retake the driving exam to ensure they are still safe to drive. When I bring this up to elderly people I know (70 years old and older), most think it is a good idea.
Agreed, but we also need to consider that some of these folks may not have anyone to take them for shopping or medical appointments. They may drive out of necessity rather than desire. If we take that from them, we need to offer assistance to shore up the gap this leaves.
I completely agree that some drive out of necessity, maybe offer some form of free or reduced transport. For example, around my area, the county offers transportation via a small bus that will come to your house to get you and then drop you back off, and it is an 85% discount for the elderly
You didn’t mention how old you were. In many places you need transportation to buy groceries and get around. Being able to drive is one’s freedom. Are you volunteering to buy groceries and do shopping for an elderly person who can no longer drive. Yes, things do slow down as you get older but if you think the elderly should have to take a test ever year, I think young people should take a course on driving friendly, patience, respect and giving some leeway to other drivers espeically the elderly drivers. I am over 70 years of age and don’t care for the reckless driving displayed by others. I think most elderly drivers are responsible adults and know what their limitations are. Life is difficult enough without having to be concerned over whether you get to continue to drive. What would you do if you were older and could no longer drive?
I’m 30, and I do already deliver groceries to elderly not only through Walmart delivery, but also through my local church outreach. If, no matter what my age (because you are right there are many unsafe younger drivers as well), I find out I can no longer drive myself safely, then I would stop driving to make sure there were no accidents or harm to others. There are local transportation, such as the bus I mentioned above, and there are dozens of churches around that offer help, whether they get and drop off your groceries for you, or they take you to get them or to go to doctors appointments, or wherever you would need to go. I would not put my pride over the safety of other drivers.
No causes undue financial hardship.
I don’t agree.
I think both sides have a point here. It is age discrimination but at the same time, I have seen many 80+yo drivers pull out onto the highway where there is 50mph+ and only go 35mph. If this speed is kept, and they go over a hill, it is hard for traffic to stop on a dime to avoid hitting them. I had a neighbor who served in Korea, was over 90yo, and drove a very large pickup. He was a disaster waiting to happen – he died in that very truck. There is a line, somewhere, that should be drawn, if only lightly, for the very same reason that it is drawn on the lower end of the age bracket of licensed drivers. Likewise, is it not also “age discrimination” if we don’t toss the car keys to a 10 year old? By the same arguement, it would be (regardless of ‘minor’ status). Public safety overrides age at some point, especially if an entire family is wiped out because we let either a 10 year old, or a 110 year old behind the wheel.
Without taking sides, I think perhaps a point is being made that should be addressed in the “public safety” space using real scientific data. My two cents. 