Should the elderly lose driving priveleges after a certain age?

**OnTheWarpath15** · 01-30-2007, 09:33 AM

According to studies, senior drivers have the highest rates of fatal car accidents per mile except teen-agers.

Just yesterday in STL, an 84 year old woman slammed through a school cafeteria wall, killing one student and injuring several others.

This summer, a 70 year old woman struck and killed a highway worker. The worker was on the shoulder of a closed lane. The driver was travelling an estimated 15 MPH over the work zone limit.

This morning, while heading to Walgreens to pick up a script for my wife, an elderly lady was driving in the middle "suicide" turn lane, ran a red light and struck a family waiting to make a left turn (coming the other direction) at a stoplight. Her first comment to police? "I don't know why that car was in MY lane....."

Should legislation be passed that senior citizens have to be retested at a certain age?

Poll to follow......

**ChiTown** · 01-30-2007, 09:36 AM

I agree on the re-testing after the age of 70.

I'm actually more concerned about "kids" than old people. Teenagers driving on the road are the ABSOLUTE worst drivers in the world. They make elderly drivers look like Drivers Ed Instructors.

Brock · 01-30-2007, 09:42 AM

Oh, and if you can't speak english, F OFF. NO LICENSE.

**Bearcat** · 01-30-2007, 09:44 AM

I've seen one elderly person turn left and drive up the off ramp of I29 North at Barry Road like she was going onto 29 South..... and another one driving the wrong way on 9 Highway just north of Northtown where there wasn't anywhere to turn around.

Yes.

**Rain Man** · 01-30-2007, 09:44 AM

As Chitown says, a better approach would be to not allow people to drive until they're 25.

The figures are actually skewed a bit on the fatal crashes, too. While teenagers are more likely to be involved in fatal crashes, it's because they're REALLY screwing up, and I suspect that "their" fatalities are more often the person in the other car. Elderly people's fatal crashes more typically involve themselves as the death due to their lesser physical condition, in crashes that may not be as bad. At least, that's what I've surmised from the data. (I've done a fair amount of work in this area.)

Kraut · 01-30-2007, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiTown

I agree on the re-testing after the age of 70.

I'm actually more concerned about "kids" than old people. Teenagers driving on the road are the ABSOLUTE worst drivers in the world. They make elderly drivers look like Drivers Ed Instructors.

Both of your points are right on. I agree with the re - testing at 70.

Simplex3 · 01-30-2007, 09:46 AM

Driving is a PRIVILEGE, not a right, and should be treated as such.

The tests for driving a 2000lb weapon should be much harder to pass than they are.

I'd love to see something to the tune of a video game with force-feedback at the DMV that tests people's ability to react to a kid stepping out between two cars, etc. If you don't have the strength/speed to maintain control of the vehicle or the mental facilities needed to turn the proper directions you don't need to be driving.

boogblaster · 01-30-2007, 09:55 AM

Id say testing after retirement every time you get a new licence..we've got a neighbor hes 91 still drives.. if you meet him on these gravel roads you have to get over..he won't get out of the middle..we like the ole-fart so we take him for granted..if he lived in a metro hed be dangerous tho....

pikesome · 01-30-2007, 10:01 AM

I don't know about taking it at a certain age. Driving drunk is dangerous mostly because you lose reaction time as well as some decision making ability. I would say that most older folks suffer from the first in some form or another, the second is probably less widespread. I'm not sure how you would effectively test it but reflexes aren't going to come back once age starts to degrade them, it would seem that failing a reflex test ought to pull your licence.

Ultra Peanut · 01-30-2007, 10:07 AM

Testing after a certain age -- say, 65 -- is perfectly fine, and in no way unfair to those who are still capable of driving.

Frankly, though, people should probably be required to be tested every few years, regardless of age. I remember passing my driver's license test and thinking, "Wait, that's it?"

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rain Man

As Chitown says, a better approach would be to not allow people to drive until they're 25.

That would just result in the rate of fatal crashes among the 25-30 age group skyrocketing.

King_Chief_Fan · 01-30-2007, 10:13 AM

What is the right age to start testing?
I see folks that look to be 30-50 that I wonder how in the heck did they get a license to drive.

Redrum_69 · 01-30-2007, 10:13 AM

CRUCIFY THEM!

**Rain Man** · 01-30-2007, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ultra Peanut

That would just result in the rate of fatal crashes among the 25-30 age group skyrocketing.

I have no doubt that it would go up, but I doubt that it would approach the levels of the 16 and 17 year-olds. A 25 year-old is an entirely different species than a 16 year-old in terms of judgment.

I agree with the retesting beyond a certain age, though.

**Rain Man** · 01-30-2007, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by King_Chief_Fan

What is the right age to start testing?
I see folks that look to be 30-50 that I wonder how in the heck did they get a license to drive.

We hold the power. You can't mess with us.

RJ · 01-30-2007, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

According to studies, senior drivers have the highest rates of fatal car accidents per mile except teen-agers.

Just yesterday in STL, an 84 year old woman slammed through a school cafeteria wall, killing one student and injuring several others.

This summer, a 70 year old woman struck and killed a highway worker. The worker was on the shoulder of a closed lane. The driver was travelling an estimated 15 MPH over the work zone limit.

This morning, while heading to Walgreens to pick up a script for my wife, an elderly lady was driving in the middle "suicide" turn lane, ran a red light and struck a family waiting to make a left turn (coming the other direction) at a stoplight. Her first comment to police? "I don't know why that car was in MY lane....."

Should legislation be passed that senior citizens have to be retested at a certain age?

Poll to follow......

It's the driving into buildings thing that I find most worrisome. I've lost track of how many times that's happened here locally in the past couple years. Apparently they get mixed up between which is the gas and which is the brake and next thing they know they're parked in a dentist's office and a couple of people are dead.

But on the lighter side, has anyone seen the Southpark episode dedicated to the subject? Very funny stuff. Here's the script.

http://www.twiztv.com/scripts/southp...thpark-710.htm

View Poll Results: Should the elderly be retested for drivers licenses?
Yes. Starting at a certain age, drivers would be retested every year	39	70.91%
No. This isn't fair to seniors who still have their mental acuity	13	23.64%
Maybe.	2	3.64%
Gaz is an excellent driver	1	1.82%
Voters: 55. You may not vote on this poll

01-30-2007, 09:33 AM
OnTheWarpath15 MVP Join Date: Sep 2005 Casino cash: $4901115	Should the elderly lose driving priveleges after a certain age? According to studies, senior drivers have the highest rates of fatal car accidents per mile except teen-agers. Just yesterday in STL, an 84 year old woman slammed through a school cafeteria wall, killing one student and injuring several others. This summer, a 70 year old woman struck and killed a highway worker. The worker was on the shoulder of a closed lane. The driver was travelling an estimated 15 MPH over the work zone limit. This morning, while heading to Walgreens to pick up a script for my wife, an elderly lady was driving in the middle "suicide" turn lane, ran a red light and struck a family waiting to make a left turn (coming the other direction) at a stoplight. Her first comment to police? "I don't know why that car was in MY lane....." Should legislation be passed that senior citizens have to be retested at a certain age? Poll to follow......
Posts: 60,264

01-30-2007, 09:36 AM	#2
ChiTown Stroking to the SB Champs! Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Flatlands of Kansas Casino cash: $3283962	I agree on the re-testing after the age of 70. I'm actually more concerned about "kids" than old people. Teenagers driving on the road are the ABSOLUTE worst drivers in the world. They make elderly drivers look like Drivers Ed Instructors. __________________
Posts: 39,341

01-30-2007, 09:42 AM	#3
Brock Say hello to my little friend Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Larryville Casino cash: $9598422	Oh, and if you can't speak english, F OFF. NO LICENSE.
Posts: 47,314

01-30-2007, 09:44 AM	#4
Bearcat Would an idiot do that? Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Arizona Casino cash: $2804931	I've seen one elderly person turn left and drive up the off ramp of I29 North at Barry Road like she was going onto 29 South..... and another one driving the wrong way on 9 Highway just north of Northtown where there wasn't anywhere to turn around. Yes.
Posts: 55,311

01-30-2007, 09:44 AM	#5
Rain Man NFL's #1 Ermines Fan Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: My house Casino cash: $3308491 VARSITY	As Chitown says, a better approach would be to not allow people to drive until they're 25. The figures are actually skewed a bit on the fatal crashes, too. While teenagers are more likely to be involved in fatal crashes, it's because they're REALLY screwing up, and I suspect that "their" fatalities are more often the person in the other car. Elderly people's fatal crashes more typically involve themselves as the death due to their lesser physical condition, in crashes that may not be as bad. At least, that's what I've surmised from the data. (I've done a fair amount of work in this area.) __________________ I'm putting random letters here as a celebration of free speech: xigrakgrah misorojeq rkemeseit.
Posts: 141,432

01-30-2007, 09:46 AM	#7
Simplex3 MVP Join Date: Sep 2003 Casino cash: $10004900	Driving is a PRIVILEGE, not a right, and should be treated as such. The tests for driving a 2000lb weapon should be much harder to pass than they are. I'd love to see something to the tune of a video game with force-feedback at the DMV that tests people's ability to react to a kid stepping out between two cars, etc. If you don't have the strength/speed to maintain control of the vehicle or the mental facilities needed to turn the proper directions you don't need to be driving.
Posts: 28,527

01-30-2007, 09:55 AM	#8
boogblaster MVP Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Verdigris Valley Campsite Casino cash: $10004900	Id say testing after retirement every time you get a new licence..we've got a neighbor hes 91 still drives.. if you meet him on these gravel roads you have to get over..he won't get out of the middle..we like the ole-fart so we take him for granted..if he lived in a metro hed be dangerous tho.... __________________ WR or S please
Posts: 10,305

01-30-2007, 10:01 AM	#9
pikesome PEW PEW Join Date: May 2005 Casino cash: $10004900	I don't know about taking it at a certain age. Driving drunk is dangerous mostly because you lose reaction time as well as some decision making ability. I would say that most older folks suffer from the first in some form or another, the second is probably less widespread. I'm not sure how you would effectively test it but reflexes aren't going to come back once age starts to degrade them, it would seem that failing a reflex test ought to pull your licence. __________________ 4. Performance enhancing drugs: A) are my ticket to the Hall of Fame. B) would be better if they tasted like fruit and were shaped like various Flintstones characters. C) are not for me, because I find that cocaine aids my performance much more effectively. D) apparently worked for Rodney Harrison.
Posts: 5,191

01-30-2007, 10:13 AM	#11
King_Chief_Fan Praise Him Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: none ya Casino cash: $5895486	What is the right age to start testing? I see folks that look to be 30-50 that I wonder how in the heck did they get a license to drive. __________________ No Jesus No Peace Know Jesus Know Peace Ephesians 2:8-10 English Standard Version (ESV) 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
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01-30-2007, 10:13 AM	#12
Redrum_69 Banned Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: your nightmares Casino cash: $10004900	CRUCIFY THEM!
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