Safe driving requires levels of physical and cognitive skills. When these skills are being lacked, it has a negative impact on their ability to control a vehicle. Some mistakes that elders make while driving are associated with high stress levels that increases with the complexity of the road (Cantin, et al., 2009). One major distracting factor is social pressure that comes from other drivers. A few factors like cutting the drivers off when they are driving under the speed limit, honking, and tailgating comes from peer pressure (Rudnenko). Honking your horn at elderly drivers can cause stress, and it can cause them to panic which has a big effect on their decision making (Rudnenko). The elderly population will continue to increase in the years,
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Reflexes began to get slower as we age. Also, we realize that our attention spans become shorter than usual. Unfortunately, these are normal changes that affects seniors driving skills. Once their reflexes are affected, their response times reduces as well (Aplin). Older people are slower to respond while driving, they are about 0.2-0.3 seconds slower than younger drivers (Green). Research shows that 90 percent of older drivers who fail the reaction test at high speeds perform satisfactory at speeds 10 mph slower (CT.gov). With over 32 million licensed drivers over the age of 65 on the road throughout the United States, it is predictable that traffic collisions with these drivers will occur. Without constant and ample test or renewal procedures in place, the chances accidents will definitely increase with time. (McGee Lerer & …show more content…
However, as stated previously older adults are likely to receive citations, and get into accidents around the age of 70. A few solutions to the problems that frequently occur would be to test elder drivers around this age range. The testing should consist of annual visual acuity, sensory and motor skills, and written and driving exams (Rothe). Not only should the elderly drivers be aware of the roads, but younger drivers should be aware of the elderly drivers. For example, driving behind an elderly driver can be frustrating at times, and we tend to honk the horn or cut them off. This can be frustrating to both drivers, as a result, the younger driver should respectfully drive pass the older driver without causing these
Reflexes began to get slower as we age. Also, we realize that our attention spans become shorter than usual. Unfortunately, these are normal changes that affects seniors driving skills. Once their reflexes are affected, their response times reduces as well (Aplin). Older people are slower to respond while driving, they are about 0.2-0.3 seconds slower than younger drivers (Green). Research shows that 90 percent of older drivers who fail the reaction test at high speeds perform satisfactory at speeds 10 mph slower (CT.gov). With over 32 million licensed drivers over the age of 65 on the road throughout the United States, it is predictable that traffic collisions with these drivers will occur. Without constant and ample test or renewal procedures in place, the chances accidents will definitely increase with time. (McGee Lerer & …show more content…
However, as stated previously older adults are likely to receive citations, and get into accidents around the age of 70. A few solutions to the problems that frequently occur would be to test elder drivers around this age range. The testing should consist of annual visual acuity, sensory and motor skills, and written and driving exams (Rothe). Not only should the elderly drivers be aware of the roads, but younger drivers should be aware of the elderly drivers. For example, driving behind an elderly driver can be frustrating at times, and we tend to honk the horn or cut them off. This can be frustrating to both drivers, as a result, the younger driver should respectfully drive pass the older driver without causing these