Too Old to Drive?

I'm going through the "you're too old to drive" thing with my poppa right now. Two recent accidents - once colliding with another car and once driving into his garage. And I do mean "into" his garage. As in not via the car-sized opening.

But I don't know. This feels like focusing on technology that serves to relegate elderly drivers to become entirely dependent on others or worse become shut-ins. I'd rather focus on making cars which augment poor driving skills. Or even better, cars that more-or-less drive themselves. There's been a lot of progress in that area lately, I think.

"Or even better, cars that more-or-less drive themselves."

Ya, that's the ticket. I would love one of them now. Punch in "work", then lay back down until I get there.

You'll get my keys when you unwrap my cold, dead fingers from around them.

Statically, older drivers are the safest drivers, until the day you loose it.

I went through this with my grandfather, at age 89. He went 70 years without an accident or a problem. Then one day, he got lost 1 mile from home. We pulled his keys. He was indignant and appalled. But he was OK with it after a while, and died happy 6 years later. I should be so lucky.

Cars that drive themselves are the way to go. I want a camper that I can tell it where to go and it will take me there. Of course it will have an engine that runs on malted barley, the byproduct being Bass Ale.

Yes definitely...

There should be age limits below which you are too young fast and cocky (if you are male) and above which you are too old, smug and slow.

The limits should be about 39 and 41 respectively .

Del

Well then I guess Del, that you have someone that drives you around. Oh, but of course kittys can't drive, huh? Oh, the joys of being a feline...

Ditto!

Del, you know we are all going to jump on your "age limits", even tho they were said in jest. I don't think any age limits for older people can be applied across the board, unless it some useless number like 95 y. o. Age has to be an individual case. Most of us know someone who it well into their 80s or early 90s and still drive admirably well. Then there are those, who you allude to, who are unsafe drivers at any age. And by the way, it's the young girls who are the major terrors here in the U.S. A number of young adult to mid-40s mothers in their big SUVs tend to be pretty casual about safe driving. Most of the boys may be cowboys, but they seem to be, on the whole, better drivers, unless alcohol or drugs are a factor. The one thing that usually seems to be a factor in fatal driving accidents: Speed kills!

Interesting that it seems different on your side of the pond... (dunno if we are allowed to make gender stereotypes these days..the thaught police will be onto us...quick put this foil hat on )

Del

Exactly the same on this side.

I used to wonder what the 'magic' number of the upper limit was.

I have this old friend who was a Battle of Britain pilot, got burned in an aircraft fire, survived and is now 90. He rides a stand-up jet ski, skiis double black, goes to Vail every year, and drives like the wind. All better than me.

Expanded my vision somewhat.

It's all a matter of attitude. If you think you're old, you will be. And you've got to take aboard criticism and advice 'till the second you die.

Cheers,

Stu

Drivers of big rigs in this country must take a physical and a driving test on a regular basis. I cant see any reason not to require the same of drivers 65 and over.

I'm 65 and older, and I totally agree! At least once every 5 or 10 years. The last 5 sure went by quickly! Right now I don't feel old (that is until I play any game that requires quick response, with any youngster), and I think I drive pretty well, but I suspect that everybody thinks they drive pretty well. If I live to the point that someone can show me that I DON'T drive well, then it will be VERY difficult, but I hope I will be wise enough to let someone else do the driving...

Dick

To my opinion for avoiding any aging discrimination claims these technologies must go along others which really could help us to drive safely regardless ours age, physical health state and driving skill.

I am supposing that it is quite possible for car of morrow. Depend upon wish of car owner he/she can rely in driving on a robot. Car-owner can chose either full- or assistant- control driving mode implemented in built-in AI. At least for everyday routes (home-work, home-supermarket etc) it's believed to come as true.

A lot of todays' car simulators promote such kind of technologies for virtual reality. As I know there are a few projects for AI driven vehicles in real world.

Reminds me when I was 18 years old, A neighbor (which was in his eighties) from down the road stopped in.

I was out the night before, and wasn't feeling too chipper. He told my dad that they should not give drivers licences to people under 25 years of age because all they do is drive around with no place to go.

The smart ass kid I was, I replied not every person is like your son, but I agree, and then I added they should take the licenses away after they turn 75 years old, because they drive around with no place to go and think the own the road.

The look in his eyes I knew he wanted to strangle me, My dad and I where in the barn working I looked out the window to watch him drive out our driveway and I saw a truck coming and knew what was going to happen, I told my dad look at this, an accident is about to happen. sure enough he drove out of our driveway didn't even stop, the oncoming truck had to take the ditch to miss him.

The old fossil, (I can still say that) tried pulling him out with his Subaru BRAT. and did nothing but spin his tires, The Truck driver we were watching from about 100 yards away, and you could tell what kind of language he was using.

I was going to get a tractor to pull him out, and my dad stop me, and said let Olaf (our elderly neighbor ask you.)

He had the truck driver who took the ditch walk over come over to ask. Not a word was said, when I pulled him out.

The truck driver, (who was also a nieghbor offer to pay me) my reply was I do this all the time for a nieghbor.

interesting story I thought. which brings me to my saying better to keep ones mouth shut and look stupid than than to open it and remove all doubt, I believe my dad told me that at the time.

Old age is not for the weak. Nobody will get passed it with their life.

Driving ability does however not depend on age alone. My Mother is 94 and just renewed her licence. She do 50 km trips with no problem and did not have an accident yet.

A youngster (±30) in my neighborhood is an accident looking for a place to happen. A short time ago he went of the road and one passenger was killed.

Here in SA we have hell driver mini bus taxi drivers. Some of them would do well in F1 but the licenses of some should be revoked.

I think that there should be a limit to an age,but how do you figure it? There are people that can drive in to their 80's and not have a problem and then there are those who probably should not be driving that are in their 60's & 70's (even younger). Should it be up to the family of the drivers? Yes in the long run I think so. The older drivers do not seem to have the response time to get by on the freeway, maybe that is why they routinely drive at 45-50 mph on our freeways (here in Ferrisville) and that is a real PAIN in the A$#. It is also very dangerous for the other drivers on the road. Also, we have frequent accidents where a car is drivern through windows of shops, into houses, bleachers at parks etc. where serious injury even death has occured because they (the elderly driver) stepped on the gas pedal instead of the brake pedal... Not to say that the younger crowd isn't safe... what with the stret racing/drag racing thing that is going on and on and on (no thanks to hollywood)........

Cheers

Limit should be on driving skill, not age. Drivers need to pass test to keep their license. There are too many out there that is not fit to drive. Current driving test is a joke. Anyone and their dog (or cat) can get a license. Take the idiots out of the road and we solve a few problems.

There also should be different levels of license. So drive with less training and skill cannot drive high power vehicles or vehicles above a certain weight.