Elderly Drivers

[JADIEBUG]

Should almost 90 year olds be allowed to drive? My husband was pulling onto a side street by our house and an elderly driver I guess did not see his huge lifted black F-150 and tried to turn onto the street my husband was turning off of and hit him on the driver side. She of course was at fault and now my husband is sad his favorite truck is most likely totaled. So what are your opinions on 85+ elderly drivers?

[blsdbyangel07]

Depends on how well they drive.  I think some teenagers should have their licenses taken away!

[itsm3]

NO.  i'm all for freedom and kudos to the seniors who are mobile and independent but if you're afraid to drive or have trouble seeing/hearing, you should not be on the road.  heck, there are some young folk who shouldn't be on the road!

[wickedfiress]

It depends on the person. Some people could handle it, others cannot. I do think after 75, a driving test every couple of years should be required just to keep everyone safe.

[KairisMama]

If they are fully aware of their surroundings and still capable of having a quick reaction time, sure. I do think they should be TESTED yearly once they hit a certain age. Hell I am thinking 75.

[ta2dirishlass]

Hard to say, I know some pretty hale and hearty oldsters that can handle driving just fine but on the other hand, we know that reflexes and vision decline in the later years. Some states used to require yearly vision testing past a certain age, I don't know if they still do. I'd go for the vision testing past, say, 65?

[bmw29]

It's not always an age thing. Some people are wonderful drivers at that age and some people can't drive for shit at any age.

[mommyoftwo103]

No. My father in law is 85 yrs old and hit the post office wall.. instead of backing out, he went forward... he crashed into the wall!!

[bmw29]

65 is still fairly young.

Quoting ta2dirishlass:

Hard to say, I know some pretty hale and hearty oldsters that can handle driving just fine but on the other hand, we know that reflexes and vision decline in the later years. Some states used to require yearly vision testing past a certain age, I don't know if they still do. I'd go for the vision testing past, say, 65?

[PookaboosMom]

I live in Sebring Florida
.....where everyones grandparents retire to, I swear. During the winter months there are more.accidents and it takes 3 times as long to get anywhere because of all the old drivers. Seriously the speed limit is 55, not 25....old drivers drive me nuts lol.

[ejbljb]

I think that there needs to be more testing. We had 3 80+ year old women drive through the front window of our store in 6 months. And they drove up over the 8 inch curb to hit the store.
I think people need to watch their elderly family members more closely for signs that driving would be a bad idea for them.