Elderly Drivers on the Road

Elderly Drivers on the Road
One thing that’s just as dangerous as a young and jittery, under-aged driver without any previous driving experience or perhaps even an intoxicated driver raging aggressively through numerous traffic lights is the thought of a vision impaired, elderly man or woman cruising nonchalantly through the wrong lane of traffic or driving 50 mph on a major highway. Due to the continuous trend of our older generation engaging in traffic accidents that could have been prevented if the proper precautionary actions were taken, I feel that it is only right those citizens who are driving at or above 70 years of age to be required to pass an annual test for eyesight and physical ability before they can renew their driver’s license.
Though they stand at the most experienced end of the driving spectrum, it’s a contradictory fact that elderly folks are involved in far more crashes and highway fatalities than any other age group, after teenage drivers. It’s even more shocking to realize that drivers 80 years of age and above are actually engaged in almost 6 times as many fatal car crashes per miles driven as that of middle-aged drivers. “Although elderly drivers only consist of 9 percent of the population, according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration statistics, senior drivers account for roughly 14 percent of all traffic fatalities and 17 percent of all pedestrian fatalities” (ABC News Internet Ventures, 2014, p. 1). These numbers and statistics are a bit scary, but also an accurate demonstration of how the safety of our streets continues to be affected by the inefficient driving of some of our elderly population. It’s obvious to me eyesight and physical ability tests are extremely vital in a solid attempt to reduce these fatal statistics and save lives.
It’s a devastating feeling for an elderly driver to have to give up his or her license, but the consequences of not doing so may be even more devastating. I believe making the streets and highways a safer place for everyone first requires the responsibility of recognition and awareness from our elderly population that they may not be as capable to drive as effectively as they once could. Although I carry a strong opinion, however I do not agree on removing the license of the elderly based on their age, but on their capability to pass the eyesight and physical ability test on a yearly base. It has been proven that these driven tests are legit. “According to a 2004 study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that requiring people to show up for license renewal helps reduce crash rates. Researchers say those who are unfit to drive decide not to seek a new license out of fear they will flunk if they show up” (The Wall Street Journal, 2009, p. 1). If one can complete that test successfully, congratulations you are a qualified driver; but if not, that’s just too much of a risk for me and thousands of other innocent lives.
Putting myself in the shoes of an elderly person, I can actually understand the frustration of being required to perform these tests yearly. Just as well, I am fully aware that these actions must be followed through accordingly if we intend on making our streets a safer driving environment for everyone, even if it’s at the expense of a few. The purpose of developing these new set of laws is not intended to look down on or offend any social group, young or old, but to acknowledge the never-changing fact that as we age those things such as our vision, or quick decision making skills begin to deteriorate and are nowhere as crisp as they were in our younger days. In my opinion, if taking this annual performance test can save at least one life, then it was well worth it.

References
Neporent, L. (2014). How old is too old to drive. Medical Unit. 1.
Shishkin, P. (2009). Looking at the Research. Crashes Fuel Debate on Rules For Older Drivers, 1.