Age limit for drivers?

If you were to compare 16~22 year old drivers to those over 70, which group causes more fatalities?

I am for a retest of all drivers every five years, including eyes and hearing. I've met people that are 50 and useless, while others that are 85 have active sex lives, with the onset of diabetes type two who's to say at what age your eye sight reduces? Just make a retest for your 20th, 25th, 30th, 35th, 40th, 45th, etc...birthdays for all drivers.

 

So what you're asking is: Should the government do the right and responsible thing rather than the fiscally advantageous thing?

 

If you do not like where your are, feel free to move. You will never pass an age discrimintation law like you are alluding to, especially in a state with as many seniors as Florida. The story could just as easily read "the 24 year old was so high on PCP he did not notice the person on his hood". While these stories get lots of hype, seniors account for very little of the traffic deaths on the nations highways. When you cure road rage and seniors are the last real threat, that is when you might find a politician willing to address this issue in earnest.

 

Where did you get this information from????? I get the annual reports every quarter from NHTSA.

 

Here are a couple quotes from the NHTSA website:

CRASH INVOLVEMENT--
" ...The risk increases for drivers 65 years and older, with drivers 85 and older having a rate 2.5 times as high as the average driver."

TOTAL INVOLVEMENT RATES--
"...For drivers over 75 the rate climbs steeply and reaches a value of over 10 for drivers in the 85 and over group."

Their words. Not mine.

 

The data was from the late 90s, but I'm sure it still stands. Their site is pretty cluttered, so finding something specific can be a struggle.

I don't think we need to discriminate against the young or the elderly. I just don't believe that they should be treated any easier, either. There should be firm requirements for operating a vehicle, and if you're not capable, then too bad. No sliding scale, just because you're older. This is where the insurance lobbyists usually come into the picture...

 

I agree once you reach a certain age you should have to be re-evaluated every 6 months. I know a guy who was involved in an accident he is 92 years old, but his license doesn't expire until 2007

 

yea dont 4get the ppl who send away for theres, cause i know there is NO WAY they got it from the DMV.....BAN from all roads...

 

Real educated response. If you do have a DL, how did you pass the exam?

 

The actual driving TEST should be re-run every year for those over 70 IMO, not just an eyesight test. They should need to take the actual driving test over. I realize its a PITA but they are retired and dont have jobs for the most part, and since the onset of various diseases is so sudden, a 5-year period is not feasible.

Around here you dont often see seniors driving on the highways. I bet their accident rate is HUGE compared to younger drivers. I'm not talking fatalities I am talking accidents. Kids in ricers will do dangerous things at high speed - like weave in and out of traffic. Seniors tend to be going slower and be oblivious to whats going on around them.

My previous office was near a train tracks and one day the two gates came down because a train was coming. Two old ladies stopped in front of the gate, except they were in front of the farther gate and their car was ON the train tracks. There is a dinging bell, other drivers honking and yelling, and a massively LOUD train horn blasting for a good 30 seconds before it crosses, and these two old ladies still couldnt get it. They were hit and both killed.

 

I'd like to raise the standard for all drivers by making 90% or better a pass. Anything less = driving school.

Annual test for drivers over 70 with a 'three strikes' provision. Three citations in a year and the state pulls your license and boots your car. After one year, mandatory certification by a driving instructor to get your license back. Loose your license again, you're done driving.

I'd also like to see 'failure to signal', 'failure to yield' (especially the passing lane) and 'no cell phones while driving' enforced for all drivers. 1st offense = $500. 2nd = $1000. 3rd = lose your license, boot on your car for six months.

Tough love people. You know we need it.

 

Multiple choice test. No written portion.

 

I'd like to meet the politician that is going to turn down AARP donations. While 60% of the overall population votes, its more like 90% for seniors so they control the purse strings and the voters' booth. If younger people truly desire to pass age discriminating legislation they had better form a lobbyist group, fund it, and make it a point to always vote.

 

Here we go. Assign 90-year-olds as the private drivers for politicians. A couple hours of that might change their loyalties.

 

I agree with all the comments relating to frequent retesting. I myself live in a bit of a retirement city where half our drivers are probably over 65. The quality of driving in my city is horrible. On one hand we have the old people who actually speed and tailgate, and really pay no attention to traffic law, and on the other we have those who always go 20 below the limit and have trouble staying in their own lane. Sometimes I just have to stand and watch these people attempt to drive.. nearly every day I see old people backing their cars into eachother trying to get out of parking spots (worst of all they'll usually just leave if they hit a parked car).

I'm not just a witness in this matter.. I've had old people attempt changing lanes into the side of my car, cutting me off, nearly hitting me in parking lots, etc. Just like Florida, nothing will change here as our mayor is only in power due to the seniors votes.