An Elderly Driver.
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What's as dangerous, if not more, than a sixteen year old driver?
Answer: An elderly driver.
Although what age is considered elderly varies from person to person, elderly drivers pose a risk to the safety of all other drivers. According the the article, "When to Put the Brakes on Elderly Drivers," elderly drivers experience slowed responses due to a declination of vision, hearing loss, and muscle strength. They also may experience drowsiness due to medication, which is as dangerous as driving under the influence of alcohol, and both is punishable by a DUI.
In 2007, USA Today, a reputable and national American daily newspaper, posted an article about older, dangerous drivers called, "Older, Dangerous Drivers A Growing Problem." In the beginning of this article, Robert Davis and Anthony DeBarros recall the account of an elderly driver, Elizabeth Grimes, and the tragedy of this driver hitting a seventeen year old that was on her way to school. Davis and DeBarros explain that a neighbor saw the signs of Grimes's unsafe driving state, but did nothing about it. They further explain that most elderly drivers cling to the independence of driving, even though it conflicts with other drivers' safety.
In order to be fair and safe, elderly drivers should have to have an annual driver's exam to test their motorist skills. This would be beneficial for everyone because it keeps safe and competent elderly drivers on the road and it increases the safety for all drivers. In the following video, the Patriot Ledger, a local newspaper, interviews an elderly driver, Elsa Grimm. In this video, Grimm states that, "We live in our cars, but everything depends on safety." She claims to be a safe driver and doesn't believe all elderly are unsafe drivers.
A YouTube Video. Interview with Elsa Grimm.
In the next YouTube video, WPBF talks about how some elderly drivers "just lose control" or commonly mistake the gas pedal for the brake pedal. This video supports my view that annual driving tests for those over seventy can efficiently "weed out" the unsafe drivers while keeping capable drivers on the road.
I totally agree with you on this subject, ederly is a big problem on our streets and we need to stop it. I was attracted to your article because living with my elderly grandparents, I see the effects first hand. Even though they are not over seventy, the signs are obvious. In support for your argument you mentioned "elderly drivers experience slowed responses due to a declination of vision, hearing loss, and muscle strength". Have you considered that elderly people are much more fragile than the younger? DrDriving's article mentions many statistics on elderly death vs. those of a younger age when it comes to car accidents.(http://www.drdriving.org/elderly/elderly2.htm)
ReplyDeleteAlthough many older people link their independent freedom to their ability to drive a car, with all of the facts pointing to the danger of elderly driving, the dangers far outway the benefits. We need to make a call as a society on which is more important, a sense of independant freedom, or the safety of other drivers.
I agree with you by far. There is nothing more agrrivating to me than an elder that does not know how to drive, or drives below the speed limit. Your title is very catchy and your blog shows justice for that topic. Although I was expecting to see more about what could be other sorces that we could offer our elder to keep them from behind the wheel. Your opening makes me want to continue to read expecially considering elderly driving is something that agrrivates me. The video is a great assest to your blog, because not all elders are horrible drivers and some may need their licences for every day needs.
ReplyDeleteJustin Moore,
ReplyDeleteI read the article you presented in your post and discovered that although more young drivers are involved in crashes, elderly drivers that are involved crashes are more likely to die ( like you said, "they are more fragile"). However, the ratio of young to old drivers prove that there are less elderly drivers than young drivers, which slightly discredits the research that states that there are more young driver crashes than elderly crashes. I agree with you that the dangers are greater than the benefits and that some elderly drivers infringe on younger drivers' safety. Although the independence of driving is a often a privilege taken advantage of, it is still a privilege and is revocable when necessary.
Brittany Edwards,
I have been thinking of alternatives for elderly drivers that have their licenses revoked and the answer is mass transportation. This would include buses and vans that are particularly meant for elderly people. The buses could transport elderly people in cities and the vans could be used for suburbs and small cities. To pay for the vehicle, gas and driver, the elderly people could pay a small monthly/weekly/yearly etc. fee. This fee would be cheaper than their current car, car insurance, and gas payment with benefit of company on their visits to grocery stores, doctors, and wherever else they might want to go. I'm glad that I watched the interview with Elsa Grimm, too. She explains that all elderly drivers are not incapable of driving, which further proves my point that annual driving tests would eliminate most of the elderly drivers that are endangering other drivers while giving capable elderly drivers their freedom.
I totally agree with you, elderly people shouldn't be driving unless they are in the best stage to drive. From personal experinces they drive to slow. I know we as drivers' shouldn't be speeding to fast but it is soo annoying when your in a 50 mph zone and the car in front of you is driving 30 mph.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading this article i realized how true this matter is and how dangerousd it can be to many people. According to http://www.drdriving.org/elderly/, in 1997, more than 24 million people in the United States were over 70 years of age.
ReplyDeleteRepresenting 9 percent of the population in 1997, the 70-and-older age group grew 2.1 times faster from 1987 to 1997 than the total population.
In 1986 older drivers were 7 percent of licensed drivers; in 1996 they were 19 percent of licensed drivers.
It is now 2010 and technology has improved much more since the 90s. Therefore, more elderly are likely to be behind the wheel of a vehicle. Not only are they being held responsible for the control of the car but also the technology behind it. This dangers everyone, other drivers, bikers and also pedestrians. This can become a bigger problem in the near future if the problem does not get solved. I agree that this needs to be stopped.
I have seen elderly drivers and most of the time they either drive really slow or really fast. I understand that elderly people can cause crashes, but I am pretty sure teenagers cause many more. The older drivers need to ask someone to take them places or use public transportation if they know they are not fit to drive. This is the only way to stop these horrors from happening. On the other hand, teenagers are not going to stop having accidents, it would be like trying to stop teenagers from texting, which is another reason for crashes. I do enjoy how you structured your blog, everything blends just right.
ReplyDeleteThis is avery interesting topic. It brings up the point of "when are you too old to drive". I personally have been driving since I was 15 and can remember numerous occasions where an elderly driver was driving under the speed limit. Not that I was in a rush, but this causes huge traffic jams and can become a safety hazard. You said that driving tests for people over the age of seventy "weed out" the unsafe drivers, but I think that this annual exam should be given to those 65 and above. Though some of these people may be in great physical and mental shape, their reaction time is still slower than normal and they may think that because they haven't hit anyone or ran a red light, that they are driving safe but their wrong! Are you doing the speed limit and are you able to maneuver the way that you need to? The website http://www.smartmotorist.com/traffic-and-safety-guideline/older-drivers-elderly-driving-seniors-at-the-wheel.html, says that the number of elderly drivers ages 70 & older is predicted to triple and that these drivers are more likely to be in crashes. So not only are their going to be a lot more of them, but the accident rates are going to skyrocket. These "mature" yet unsafe drivers need to be taken off the road.
ReplyDelete