Should there be an age maximum for old drivers??

[Doobie]

Well , I just saw on the new that a 94 year old man killed someone while driving or something like that . Now I'm wondering , should elderly people be allowed to drive??? Personally , my solution to that is that people should take a test every 5 years to see if they are eligible to drive on the road . Any thoughts on old people driving around?

[j.23]

i agree with the test part. i take psychology in college and it's proven that older people have significantly slower reaction times than people younger than them -- and as well all know, reflexes is a big part of driving. i too, think that they should take a test (yearly compared to every 5 years). it might be inconvenient for them but it will decrease the amount of accidents like you mentioned.

[Colin]

If they're retired they enough time to take the test. Their game of Bridge can wait until the next day.

[Cable]

They do have to take a test in Canada periodically, I just don't remember when. My grandpa went to take his test recently, he's in his late 70's.

[Jackal_]

I absolutely agree with a age limit. I realise teen driving isn't that safe either but teens dont have such visual and hearing problems.. thats the main concern imo.

[cyanide]

hearing isn't so much of a concern with driving as much as it is with visual and reaction time. Old people should definitely take a test, say after retirement or something, they have to go through mandatory once every 5 years tests or whatever to make sure they're still good on the road.

[Pirate]

This guy you spoke about, he is suffering from demetia, which most old peole do in their late stages of life. His vision was horrible and he hit a 30-something -year-old severed the guys leg off and kept driving for several minutes until he got to a toll booth and the ticket guy saw the dead guy stuck in the windshield.

I figure the elderly should have to take a test every year to get their permits renewed. Dementia and aging can strike fast and hard, so every ficve is not often enough and in 6 months a person of good health can become a threat on the roads.

[cyanide]

Interesting, so how can we prevent this since a 6-month mandatory test is not ideal and practical?

[Jona]

In Chile, you have to take the test every 6 years.

If you don't pass, you can't drive.

[Big-D]

nothing i hate more than an old person going to slow and veiring in your lane.

[hipn]

Isnt it true when you get older (75-90s) that your reaction times gets slower?

[Andrew]

Definitely true.

In Australia everyone over the age of 80s is required to take a driving test annually to ensure they're still alert enough and physically capable of being on the roads.

[boconcio]

man, i think every people over 60 should have a yearly test.
and i think the laws for getting a license should be more hard.
there are some people out there driving who just contribute to traffic jams the way they guide their cars...

[Wormy10]

Definently

They drive too damn slow, i think 80 is a good time to stop, and yea a test at 60 or so

[Andrew]

It depends. Some 80 year olds are alert enough to drive, at least locally since they're familiar with the area and might only go out once or twice a week to shop or run the occasional errand. As long as they're being tested, they shouldn't be able to drive past the point of no longer being able to do so without being a danger to themselves and others.