topic Re: Retesting Elderly Drivers...Opinions in Community Chat

Retesting Elderly Drivers...Opinions

ciao_bella — Tue, 16 May 2017 11:58:40 GMT

What do you think about retesting elderly drivers, and if so, what age?

Yesterday, I was at a local grocery store and leaving the parking lot. I had already pulled out of my parking spot and was in the lane to exit the lot but had to wait in line because a car was in front of me. The car had stopped in front of me and I was about a car length away from it. All of a sudden, the car in front of me started to back up. I blew my car horn several times but it continued to backup. There were some people walking in the parking lot yelling at the car to stop but it continued to back up. It happened so quickly, and the car hit the front of my car. Instead of the person getting out and acknowledging the accident, the car pulled forward and appeared as it was leaving. I followed the car, hand on my horn constantly blowing it and trying to memorize the license plate at the same time. Finally, at the very end of the parking lot I pulled around the car and yelled to pull over.

The driver pulled over into an empty parking spot and we both got out. The driver was an elderly woman, I would estimate in her 80s. She claims she had no idea she hit my car. Luckily my car didn't seem to have any superficial damage, nor did hers. I was clearly upset and told her it could have been a shopper with a basket, or a kid, or employee who rounds up the loose shopping carts. She did apologize but after the incident, it got me thinking. Clearly, she didn't look into her rear view mirror before backin up, nor did she hear my car horn blasting constantly, or hear any of the people in the parking lot yelling for her to stop.

So, what do you think about retesting elderly drivers, and if so at what age?

Re: Retesting Elderly Drivers...Opinions

StylishLady — Tue, 16 May 2017 12:13:02 GMT

I have mixed feelings about it. My relatives up in Ontario Canada are required to do so at age 80. Their test is basically a mental test. You are asked to draw a clock face and a given time. Seriously. look it up. I know Florida has looked into some sort of testing, but the cost would be enormous. Funny to think that our grandchildren may never actually drive a car the way progress is being made with driverless cars.

Re: Retesting Elderly Drivers...Opinions

software — Tue, 16 May 2017 12:14:19 GMT

I'm sorry this happened to you but there are bad drivers of every age.

Being elderly myself, I'm going to do everything I can to stay independent and drive safely, like I have for the past almost 50 years. I've never had a wreck!

If the elderly must be retested, then everyone should be retested.

@ciao_bella

Re: Retesting Elderly Drivers...Opinions

Bri36 — Tue, 16 May 2017 12:19:01 GMT

I don't know if there's a magic number. It seems sometimes that many older people resist giving up their driving privileges for any number of reasons. I think it's important for family and/or their medical team to step in when there is risk to themselves and other drivers.

My dad is going to be 86 this year. He has to take a driving test and get medical clearance every two years to renew his license. I know once someone reaches a certain age in Illinois, they have to renew more often.

Re: Retesting Elderly Drivers...Opinions

BabyYoda — Tue, 16 May 2017 12:20:43 GMT

I had something similar happen to me where the driver was an elderly man driving a older car stick shift and he took his foot off the brake and started rolling back and hit my front end. I had beeped the horn but he did not hear me.

I took my mom's car away from her last year after she hit another car. I legally could not stop her from driving and putting others at risk. I had a long talk with her and got her doctor involved to have her stop driving.

There should be a physical driving test for people over a certain age to see how they drive. I know there is an eye test when they renew their drivers license over a certain age but there is no hearing or physical test. It would save a lot of lives as I just saw the news that an elderly man drove into a house at night.

Re: Retesting Elderly Drivers...Opinions

151949 — Tue, 16 May 2017 12:23:22 GMT

When my grandpap was in his mid 90'sw my Mom felt he wasn't competent to drive anymore so she notified the state police and they made him retest. He passed with flying colors!

To be honest - there are a lot of incompetent drivers out there of every age. I think everyone should be retested every 10 years or so.

Re: Retesting Elderly Drivers...Opinions

Sooner — Tue, 16 May 2017 12:34:32 GMT

Ageist much? How about keeping drunk drivers off the streets first? Take away licenses for DUI. Road rage? I think the fear of old drivers should come way down on the list.

Re: Retesting Elderly Drivers...Opinions

SaRina — Tue, 16 May 2017 12:45:12 GMT

Yes, I think elderly drivers should be retested. I guess the age would be determined by statistics.

In my area, on Mother's Day no less, an elderly woman backed into a mother and daughter. The mother, seeing what was happening, pushed her daughter out of the way and saved her life. Tragically, the mother was killed. The elderly driver said she thought she had the car in Drive when she put her foot on the gas pedal. She was not charged.

It seems this confusion of gas pedal vs. brake pedal happens way too often.

Yes, testing to save lives. :-(

Re: Retesting Elderly Drivers...Opinions

NickNack — Tue, 16 May 2017 12:52:54 GMT

Yes, I think elderly drivers should be retested. My father was driving at age 86. He then had to move to the town my sister and I live in and go to an independent living facility. He brought his car with him (someone else drove it) and fully intended to drive here. Thank goodness he never has. He doesn't know his way around and can't remember no matter how many times he's been a certain route. He will be 89 next month and is in no way physically or mentally able to drive. I have no doubt he would still be driving if he hadn't moved here.

Re: Retesting Elderly Drivers...Opinions

Zhills — Tue, 16 May 2017 12:54:36 GMT

When they test older drivers, they test their eyes!

They don't check for the amount of oxy- or hydro-codone

they take a day!!! My neighbor can hardly walk to the car, but he can drive! His reflex time is terrible and he has had several small fender benders in the Wal-Mart parking lot. They don't have to be reported on private property if no one is injured.

However, we have a 95 year old who is as alert as anyone and drives very well.

Re: Retesting Elderly Drivers...Opinions

SahmIam — Tue, 16 May 2017 13:04:52 GMT

I think everyone should be retested every 5 years. You don't pass, you don't drive.

Re: Retesting Elderly Drivers...Opinions

PhilaLady1 — Tue, 16 May 2017 13:12:21 GMT

You followed her, blasting your horn constantly ? I understand you must have been shook up, but the whole tone of your post seems angry and anti-elderly. Please don't throw all older people in one stereotypical lump. If the driver was young and had, say, blond hair, would you say all young blondes are bad drivers and should be re-tested ?

Re: Retesting Elderly Drivers...Opinions

dex — Tue, 16 May 2017 13:12:07 GMT

There are so many bad drivers on the road today..drugs ,alcohol,texting,no insurance..my DH has been hit twice and both times driver had no insurance.Theses people were young.I don't know who the most dangerous drivers are but I don't think it is the elderly.

Re: Retesting Elderly Drivers...Opinions

Pook — Tue, 16 May 2017 13:13:30 GMT

I don't know why so many are so against this. If they have no issues then they will pass! I would be retested every year for the privilege (not right) to drive! If I could not pass the test then it's a good thing I am being taken off the road as I could do some damage or hurt, maime or kill someone. AAA has a course but the instructor has no say whatsoever in recommending someone be retested or have their license revoked even though they know they should not be driving. My SO went to one and couldn't believe how many should not be driving. They used similators and so many flubbed nearly everything using the excuse that it was not like their car.

Re: Retesting Elderly Drivers...Opinions

Bri36 — Tue, 16 May 2017 13:16:21 GMT

Statistically, teens are involved in more accidents than seniors.

Re: Retesting Elderly Drivers...Opinions

deepwaterdotter — Tue, 16 May 2017 13:26:49 GMT

I am a driver in my 60's and would be fine with retesting at my current age and in the future. If I am not physically or mentally fit enough to safely operate a moving vehicle, I am a danger to myself and others.

Re: Retesting Elderly Drivers...Opinions

151949 — Tue, 16 May 2017 13:34:26 GMT

@Zhills wrote:
When they test older drivers, they test their eyes!

They don't check for the amount of oxy- or hydro-codone
they take a day!!! My neighbor can hardly walk to the car, but he can drive! His reflex time is terrible and he has had several small fender benders in the Wal-Mart parking lot. They don't have to be reported on private property if no one is injured.

However, we have a 95 year old who is as alert as anyone and drives very we

I would think it would be a good idea to drug test ALL drivers of ALL ages periodically for drugs - + test - license lost, period!

Re: Retesting Elderly Drivers...Opinions

Pook — Tue, 16 May 2017 13:38:13 GMT

@Bri36 wrote:
Statistically, teens are involved in more accidents than seniors.
If you just go by statistics on age probably that is correct. Statistics can be found to support any side of an argument. If you go by miles traveled ratios then statistically seniors are involved in more even though they don't drive as much overall. Teens are inexperienced so they get their experience by driving. Seniors have years of experience and should be able to easily pass a test. I am 64 and am so confident in my driving abilities that retesting would not bother me and if it would then I would think maybe I should not be on the road.

Re: Retesting Elderly Drivers...Opinions

Bri36 — Tue, 16 May 2017 13:41:23 GMT

I think seniors drive less than teens, @Pook.

Teens don't have as much experience as a senior, but a senior's judgment can be impaired because of age and/or medications.

Both seniors and teens can be dangerous...

Re: Retesting Elderly Drivers...Opinions

JML — Tue, 16 May 2017 13:44:09 GMT

Yes, elderly drivers should be tested after a certain age. Today is my 81st birthday and I do very little driving. In less than 2 years I have put on 7,000 miles on my car. I do not drive out of town and have adjusted my driving to certain areas that I am familiar with. I have a leased car which is up to date and safe. In my state elderly drivers are not tested. I have taken 2 drivers ed. courses offered by AARP and that has helped me in keeping up with the new laws. There are crazy drivers at all ages and in my town rear ending is a common occurence. The whole world is in such a d---n hurry to get somewhere.