All right so America has gone through this demographic shift as many industrialized nations have and we have this new aging population. However, there are many problems that can result from that. Everyone has heard of the social security issues that arise, but talking about that could be a whole book instead of just a blog. Another issue is that with more elderly people, there are more elderly drivers and should they be regulated more than younger drivers.
Well why would they need extra regulation? Well there have been reports of elderly drivers driving into someone's house in a dazed state. Also, as people age, reflexes slow, vision blurs, and well, we're just not as alert as we used to be. So, in response, some states mandate road tests for those that are above the age of 65. Is this a good idea.
Well there are many arguments for and against. By doing the road test, we can check vision and reflexes and avoid many accidents caused by elderly drivers. The problem is that most road accidents are actually caused by drivers in the 16-20 age group, followed by elderly drivers. So wouldn't it only be fair to impose stricter regulations on the younger cohort also? Well, I don't know about you, but it seems like the only regulation for this younger group would be delay in licensing or a stricter graduated license and well, I liked getting my ability to drive when I was 16.
So it's an issue that should be put out there. Yeah, elderly drivers pose a threat, but because they actually drive less than other cohorts, its much less of a threat than we perceive, the real threat is unfortunately most (not including us progressive bloggers of course) youth.
There's no issue here. If most road accidents are actually caused by drivers in the 16-20 age group, then they should be more regulated just as well. Actually, if there were an option, I'd choose to impose a less strict regulation on the elders because they at least drive out of necessity (perhaps their children have neglected them completely), whereas kids between 16-20 drive to get into troubles.
It's true you'd want to be able to drive when you're 16, but then which teenager doesn't? In the meantime, what you want and what you get are two different things.
Since someone must be at least 15 to get a driver’s permit, why should there be no restrictions on older people? Why is there no age limit for driving?
Older people should have a limit to which they can drive. True, they do not tend to drive as often as youth, but this is because they are not traveling to and from school or work. The older a person gets, the less aware they are of their surroundings. This is not always due to carelessness. Most of the time, it is a side effect of age. One cannot see as clearly because of failing eyes, their hearing is not as good, or they cannot remember the laws for driving as well because of memory problems. An older person may say they should not lose their rights to drive because they have lived a longer life and they know more about the ways of the world. In a way, they are right. But they should also be aware that they are causing a hazard to themselves and others when they get behind the wheel.
I personally feel that once someone reaches 90, they should not be driving. Unfortunately, I know that they still are. There is a kind gentleman that I know of that visits with me often. He drives himself around even though he is over 90. Is he a bad driver? Not totally. But he is far from a good driver. He has backed into a fence several times when leaving and has “bumped” into the side of a car at least once to my knowledge. Luckily, he has not done anything that has harmed him or others. But it will only be so long before something does happen.
Another reason the elderly should not drive is because of their failing health. I know of an older woman who was involved in an accident that did her no bodily harm. Unfortunately, she died of a heart attack. The scare of the wreck caused her to have the heart attack even though she was fine otherwise.
To finish off, I belief an older person should be limited on how long they are able to drive for. Otherwise, there will be people out there driving who are no longer aware of exactly what they are doing and they are causing a risk to the other drivers on the road.
But older people still need to live. They still need to get food, take care of legal stuff, and perhaps socialize. Accidents happen no matter how long they're allowed to drive. Maybe we should come up with a bus designed for the elderly, but even they still have some pride and will refuse to be called "elderly."
I don't know where I was going with that.
Yes, older people do need to live. There are transit venues out there for them to use,just like young people do when they cannot drive. And pride? It's hard to weigh who has more pride, youth or the elderly. Either way, there should be guidelines for both age groups.
some of them dont need to be on the road. I think cities should have transport availiable that is low cost and reasonable. 1-2 dollars a trip is not bad. I think in some instances elderly who have to travel to distant doctors that there should be some sort of transport for free covered by grants to get them there.
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