Retesting Elderly Drivers...Opinions

ciao_bella · ‎03-13-2010

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?

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StylishLady · ‎03-11-2010

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.

software · ‎06-08-2016

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

Bri36 · ‎02-20-2017

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.

BabyYoda · ‎03-09-2010

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.

151949 · ‎03-09-2010

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.

Sooner · ‎03-10-2010

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.

SaRina · ‎04-17-2015

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. :-(

NickNack · ‎03-10-2010

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.

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-Henry David Thoreau

Zhills · ‎11-15-2011

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.