01-06-2011, 09:23 PM
Elderly drivers now account for nearly 20 percent of all motorists, according to the Government Accountability Office.
And that number will increase, because those who make up the first wave of the huge baby-boom generation turned 65 this year.
Are Older Drivers Putting Themselves (And Others) At Risk?
The data on elder-driver safety is a mixed bag.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports that the nation's senior citizens are actually getting into fewer serious car accidents.
However, another study of intersection crashes found that 58 percent of drivers 80 and older failed to yield at intersections, while the number for drivers 70-79 was 37 percent.
By comparison, 26 percent of drivers 35-54 failed to yield.
The increase in the number of elderly drivers, have prompted discussions by government agencies, insurance companies and university researchers about how to address this issue.
Obviously, there is no specific age at which an older person should stop driving – it all depends on the individual, their health, and their driving skills.
Driver's license renewal procedures for older drivers vary from state to state. Twenty-six states have special license-renewal requirements for senior-citizen drivers. Some states require that drivers over a certain age renew their licenses in person rather than electronically or by mail.
Judging If Someone Is Fit For Driving, and when it's time to hang up the keys!
Warning Signs: 20 Things To Look For In Eldely Drivers
• Decrease in confidence while driving
• Difficulty turning to see when backing up
• Easily distracted while driving
• Other drivers often honk horns
• Hitting curbs
• Scrapes or dents on the car, mailbox or garage
• Increased agitation or irritation when driving
• Failure to notice traffic signs or important activity on the side of the road
• Trouble navigating turns
• Driving at inappropriate speeds
• Uses a "copilot"
• Bad judgment making left turns
• Delayed response to unexpected situations
• Moving into wrong lane or difficulty maintaining lane position
• Confusion at exits
• Ticketed moving violations or warnings
• Getting lost in familiar places
• Car accident
• Failure to stop at stop sign or red light
• Stopping in traffic for no apparent reason
So how would you handle getting elder drivers not wanting to hang up their car keys problem?
And that number will increase, because those who make up the first wave of the huge baby-boom generation turned 65 this year.
Are Older Drivers Putting Themselves (And Others) At Risk?
The data on elder-driver safety is a mixed bag.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports that the nation's senior citizens are actually getting into fewer serious car accidents.
However, another study of intersection crashes found that 58 percent of drivers 80 and older failed to yield at intersections, while the number for drivers 70-79 was 37 percent.
By comparison, 26 percent of drivers 35-54 failed to yield.
The increase in the number of elderly drivers, have prompted discussions by government agencies, insurance companies and university researchers about how to address this issue.
Obviously, there is no specific age at which an older person should stop driving – it all depends on the individual, their health, and their driving skills.
Driver's license renewal procedures for older drivers vary from state to state. Twenty-six states have special license-renewal requirements for senior-citizen drivers. Some states require that drivers over a certain age renew their licenses in person rather than electronically or by mail.
Judging If Someone Is Fit For Driving, and when it's time to hang up the keys!
Warning Signs: 20 Things To Look For In Eldely Drivers
• Decrease in confidence while driving
• Difficulty turning to see when backing up
• Easily distracted while driving
• Other drivers often honk horns
• Hitting curbs
• Scrapes or dents on the car, mailbox or garage
• Increased agitation or irritation when driving
• Failure to notice traffic signs or important activity on the side of the road
• Trouble navigating turns
• Driving at inappropriate speeds
• Uses a "copilot"
• Bad judgment making left turns
• Delayed response to unexpected situations
• Moving into wrong lane or difficulty maintaining lane position
• Confusion at exits
• Ticketed moving violations or warnings
• Getting lost in familiar places
• Car accident
• Failure to stop at stop sign or red light
• Stopping in traffic for no apparent reason
So how would you handle getting elder drivers not wanting to hang up their car keys problem?
Carsman: Loves Living Large
Home is where you're treated the best, but complain the most!
Life is short, make the most of it, get outta here!
Home is where you're treated the best, but complain the most!
Life is short, make the most of it, get outta here!