Should there be mandatory driving tests as people get older?

[Bodi]

And i mean late 60's or older... every five years? 2years? Depending on skills observed by instructor?

 

[ajn678]

Oh yes.

 

[Bodi]

Oh yes.

Why is it not already in place? My thoughts are politics. Losing the elderly vote.

 

[clownboy]

Already in place, depends on the state. DLs are not federal.

 

[ajn678]

Why is it not already in place? My thoughts are politics. Losing the elderly vote.

Probably so. Even though being able to drive is not even a right in America. It is a privilege. And with that, you should have to show that you still can drive as your body begins to change for the worse. I'll probably get some hate from the 60 year olds on here that think they are still 20, but scientifically the older you get, the worse your ability to control a car in an efficient matter becomes.

 

[Skeptic Bob]

Seems prudent. But I would be curious to see what percentage of accidents are actually caused by the elderly.

 

[joG]

And i mean late 60's or older... every five years? 2years? Depending on skills observed by instructor?

Discrimination by the state should never be allowed unless one can show extraordinary danger unequivocally.

 

[Bodi]

Discrimination by the state should never be allowed unless one can show extraordinary danger unequivocally.

Driving is not a right...

 

[clownboy]

Discrimination by the state should never be allowed unless one can show extraordinary danger unequivocally.

Once again, already being done - here's CA:

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/?.../dmv/about/senior/driverlicense/driverlicense

 

[Bodi]

Seems prudent. But I would be curious to see what percentage of accidents are actually caused by the elderly.

Tough to find a solid stat that actually means anything. 70 and over have about as many crashes as 29 and under but there are far more drivers in the latter. It looks like around town driving or countryside older people are totally fine. It is freeways, round abouts and high speed intersections where their problems occur. Maybe extra testing for that?

 

[JANFU]

Seems prudent. But I would be curious to see what percentage of accidents are actually caused by the elderly.

The main issue is elderly drivers who are unfit are unlikely to self report. Drs are also in many areas not required to inform if a person is unfit to drive.
Family members are in an emotional bind, knowing that their parent is unfit and unsafe to drive.
The same applies to younger people who are also medically unfit to drive.
1 thing that is not considered is the number & severity of accidents. If you are having frequent accidents, where you are at fault, then possibly implement a mandatory driving test.



Teenage and Older Drivers - Consumer Reports Magazine
View attachment 67204555

https://www.aaafoundation.org/sites/default/files/2012OlderDriverRisk.pdf
Page 5 & 6 for graphs.

 

[faithful_servant]

I think that there should be a written exam every 7 years and a behind the wheel exam every 14 years. Laws change and people's abilities change and we should expect that they keep up with the laws and that their abilities match the demands of driving.

 

[Bodi]

The main issue is elderly drivers who are unfit are unlikely to self report. Drs are also in many areas not required to inform if a person is unfit to drive.
Family members are in an emotional bind, knowing that their parent is unfit and unsafe to drive.
The same applies to younger people who are also medically unfit to drive.
1 thing that is not considered is the number & severity of accidents. If you are having frequent accidents, where you are at fault, then possibly implement a mandatory driving test.



Teenage and Older Drivers - Consumer Reports Magazine
View attachment 67204555

https://www.aaafoundation.org/sites/default/files/2012OlderDriverRisk.pdf
Page 5 & 6 for graphs.

Irrelevant . Their d.l. will expire and they will be driving illegally.

 

[Bodi]

I think that there should be a written exam every 7 years and a behind the wheel exam every 14 years. Laws change and people's abilities change and we should expect that they keep up with the laws and that their abilities match the demands of driving.

So you have one at 72 and not again til 86 and that is specifically when thevproblem starts? Then not until 100?

 

[JANFU]

Irrelevant . Their d.l. will expire and they will be driving illegally.

Nope.
A simple license renewal.

 

[faithful_servant]

So you have one at 72 and not again til 86 and that is specifically when thevproblem starts? Then not until 100?

Good point. Maybe bump that up to every 7 years for both after age 75. Also, give both physicians and optometrists the ability to send notifications to the State if the person under their care loses critical functions that make them unsafe to drive. I'd even like to see a program where people can ask for someone to review a driver's ability (regardless of age) if there is substantial cause for concern. My MIL shouldn't be driving at all, yet she is legally allowed to. Her kids keep trying t stop her, but short of taking car away (she'd report it as stolen and have them thrown in jail in a heartbeat), she's going to keep driving.

 

[Bodi]

Nope.
A simple license renewal.

If they do not renew then they are illegally driving. Wasnt your point that they simply wont renew and drs and family wont tell on them... or whatever?

 

[WCH]

IMO the kids or spouses should step in when it's obvious there are issues.

If the states pass laws regarding testing, the insurance companies will soon follow by denying coverage for certain cases.

 

[Bodi]

Good point. Maybe bump that up to every 7 years for both after age 75. Also, give both physicians and optometrists the ability to send notifications to the State if the person under their care loses critical functions that make them unsafe to drive. I'd even like to see a program where people can ask for someone to review a driver's ability (regardless of age) if there is substantial cause for concern. My MIL shouldn't be driving at all, yet she is legally allowed to. Her kids keep trying t stop her, but short of taking car away (she'd report it as stolen and have them thrown in jail in a heartbeat), she's going to keep driving.

My dad should never drive at night anymore but the dmv has no idea his night vision is shot so he legally can and does and my grandma is 96 and drives... like crap. She is an absolute danger. But she is rich and we are hoping... one car accident. Just joking... about the death part. Sort of.

 

[Bodi]

IMO the kids or spouses should step in when it's obvious there are issues.

If the states pass laws regarding testing, the insurance companies will soon follow by denying coverage for certain cases.

If the state will take family or dr. info that is fine too...

 

[humbolt]

Just the ones driving Buicks.

 

[mike2810]

I voted No.

if the curve chart is correct, then it seems the 18-30 groups should also apply to the more restrictive testing some want for the older crowd.

Seems the stats don't really change till 70+.

How many younger drivers text and drive. Bet it is far greater than the 65+ drivers.:lamo

 

[JANFU]

If they do not renew then they are illegally driving. Wasnt your point that they simply wont renew and drs and family wont tell on them... or whatever?

Nope- they will for the most part renew. I listed some issues.

 

[Winchester]

Seems prudent. But I would be curious to see what percentage of accidents are actually caused by the elderly.

Yeah, convince me there is a problem overall that periodic driving tests would detect and solve, then yeah.

 

[Winchester]

And i mean late 60's or older... every five years? 2years? Depending on skills observed by instructor?

Not all old people are created equal.