In the past month or so it seems that every week the local media has reported a fatal automobile accident involving an elderly driver. One gets the impression that driving privileges should be suspended for anyone over 75, as most of these drivers are an accident waiting to happen. Well, that is not the case. 7% of Massachusetts drivers are aged 75 or over, but they account for only 3.6% of the accidents. But, when the older driver does get into accident, it is more likely to be a fatal accident, largely because the older driver is just not as healthy or strong as he once was and he becomes the fatality.
However, as I age it's clear that I'm not as good a driver as I once was. Yet, renewal of my driver's license is just as simple as it was when I first drove. There will come a time when my reactions will not be as swift as they should be. Shouldn't I be tested in some way to ensure that I am still a capable driver? That's not the case today in Massachusetts. It may be the case in a few years when I will have reached the stage where I should be tested, for my safety and that of others.
1 comment:
In Britain, my father is approaching 94 and still driving. He does have to have an assessment every three years, to determine his general health, but is not required to be retested. Personally, I believe the young cause far more vehicle accidents than the elderly.
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