old drivers

Many accidents ever year claim the lives of many with the fault due to an elderly driver. Many health reasons, decreased lack of judgment, and the memory loss of older drivers can be prevented if noticed early through evaluations. Age can be a gradual result of decline with strength, coordination, reaction time, ability to concentrate, and hearing. “Drivers aged 70 and over are among those at greatest risk of traffic violations and motor vehicle crashes per miles driven.” (The Older Driver 3) Due to vision impairment, mobility loss and judgment fading there should be mandatory annual license evaluations from age seventy to eighty and a cessation of the license at the age of eighty for the interest in safety.

During a persons older years, senses begin to fade, and bodily mobility tends to decrease also. Vision is one of the most important parts of driving; the driver needs to be able to keep focused on the road, the car in front of the driver, the cars surrounding and also on their speed. Many young drivers have the distraction of the radio, friends in the car, or some times even an electronic device. On the other hand an older person would have minimal distractions but still may not be able to function properly. Over the age of seventy an increased rate of stroke and heart attack is presented especially dangerous while operating a motor vehicle. If someone has a stroke while driving they do not have the time or ability to safely disable their vehicle. The car can have multiple effects when this were to happen, the biggest effect could be immediately stopping and the driver can have a rear impact.

Elderly drivers can also misplace a foot and depress the accelerator very firmly. Many accidents caused by incorrect pressing of the ...

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...o go. With the driver also off the road it gives them the opportunity to sell their car, or to give the car to a loved one who is just starting to drive.

Annual driving evaluations are key to lowering accidents on the road. Elderly drivers have many health considerations that can prevent them to operate a motor vehicle responsibly and this operation can cause many innocent and preventable deaths. The surrender of a driver’s license would also help with the safety of others and their own well being.

Works Cited

Carr, David B., MD. "The Older Driver." : Merck Manual Home Edition. N.p., 01 Feb. 2009. Web. 17 Apr. 2014.

Fried, Joeseph P. "My Library." Two Auto Accidents, Two Elderly Drivers. The New York Times, 13 Jan. 2002. Web. 17 Apr. 2014.

NMA. "Elderly Driving." National Motorists Association Website. National Motorists Association, n.d. Web. 16 Apr. 2014.