I am sure many of us have encountered an older adult driving around town. Not necessarily driving recklessly but driving extremely slow in streets, when it is obvious they are driving way under the speed limit. I have witnessed elderly drivers swerving in streets, or even cause accidents in intersections. Some times elderly drivers are just not mentally fit, or sharp enough to be driving in streets. Tougher regulations on older adult drivers should be required in the state of Texas. And enforce mental fitness tests yearly after the the age of 79 to keep driving privileges. These issues are rarely brought up but should be addressed.
According to David Frum “As we age, our driving skills diminish. The likelihood of a car crash begins to rise …show more content…
Department of Transportation's Fatality Analysis Reporting System. 75 years and older drivers have higher rates of fatal motor vehicle crashes than drivers in all other age groups except teenagers. People 75 years and older cause the highest rate of pedestrian deaths per 100,000 people of any age group. About 50 percent of fatal crashes involving drivers 80 years and older occur at intersections and involve more than one vehicle. (Niedrich1).
Some elderly stay sharp and cable to the age of 90 while others don’t. Unfortunely, not all elderly drivers are responsible enough to quit driving when they are in-cable to safely operate a vehicle. We repeatedly hear stories in the news of disoriented elderly drivers running over pedestrians, driving in wrong direction lane, or even driving into buildings because they are more likely to confuse the reverse and drive paddle. Enforcing mental fitness tests yearly to drivers after age of 79, would help to keep the mentally unfit off the roads. Therefore, cause a great decrease of accidents and fatalities.
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety the only requirements for drivers of 79 or older. Must always renew in person and take a simple vision test. Sadly, the state is little help, to keep unsafe elderly drivers off the road. The state of Texas should stop hesitating and take action in these issues for the public
According to David Frum “As we age, our driving skills diminish. The likelihood of a car crash begins to rise …show more content…
Department of Transportation's Fatality Analysis Reporting System. 75 years and older drivers have higher rates of fatal motor vehicle crashes than drivers in all other age groups except teenagers. People 75 years and older cause the highest rate of pedestrian deaths per 100,000 people of any age group. About 50 percent of fatal crashes involving drivers 80 years and older occur at intersections and involve more than one vehicle. (Niedrich1).
Some elderly stay sharp and cable to the age of 90 while others don’t. Unfortunely, not all elderly drivers are responsible enough to quit driving when they are in-cable to safely operate a vehicle. We repeatedly hear stories in the news of disoriented elderly drivers running over pedestrians, driving in wrong direction lane, or even driving into buildings because they are more likely to confuse the reverse and drive paddle. Enforcing mental fitness tests yearly to drivers after age of 79, would help to keep the mentally unfit off the roads. Therefore, cause a great decrease of accidents and fatalities.
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety the only requirements for drivers of 79 or older. Must always renew in person and take a simple vision test. Sadly, the state is little help, to keep unsafe elderly drivers off the road. The state of Texas should stop hesitating and take action in these issues for the public