Older Drivers: Challenges of Safe Driving in America

Research indicates that older drivers go beyond the age within which they can drive safely. According to the AAA foundation for driving safety, 80% of the older adults do not reveal the challenge to their family members or doctors (Ashley 1). Driving is one of the ways through which a majority of people in America move around to run their errands using private automobiles. Each of the states in America has the right to set their traffic rules to enhance safety and order within their regions (Ashley 1). Despite the freedom to make their own traffic rules, the laws across different states are similar, and licenses are accepted outside one's home region. Various driving regulations govern drivers and other road users, and they entail; speed limits, observation of road signs and seat belt requirements, among others (Ashley 2). However, no regulations are governing the maximum age limit that a person should drive. Despite the lack of age beyond which a person should not drive, older adults ought not to drive because of the challenges they develop at old age, making them less active on the roads.

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One of the reasons why older adults should not drive is that with the advancement in age vision becomes affected. Older adults have difficulty seeing at night or being unable to see objects that are far away from them (Ashley 2). In this regard, they can easily cause accidents because of poor sight that hinders them from seeing oncoming vehicles or through their side mirrors. When a driver does not have a good vision, there are high chances that they will cause accidents or make other road users crash as well.

Another rationale for older adults not driving on the roads is that their energy levels are low, and they and some of them end up sleeping while driving. When they fall asleep on the streets, they are likely to cause accidents. AAA foundation of safety reported that in 2016, more than 200,000 drivers who were over the age of 65 years old were injured in road crashes, and another 3500 died (Ashley 2). Driving at an early age is, therefore, a critical concern that should be regulated to reduce the number of road accidents involving older adults.

Similarly, older adults have difficulty in keeping lanes while on the road, and this can cause an obstruction and making other road users be involved in accidents. Although a majority of the older adults are not willing to share their difficulties of driving with their doctors and loved ones, there is a need for such a revelation to get the required help. Studies indicate that only 17% of the older adults open up to their doctors and families about their inability to drive as a result of advanced age (Ashley 1). It is assumed that older adults are not willing to share their difficulties in driving because their freedom of movement and mobility will be affected as they have to get a designated driver.

Additionally, older adults should also not drive because they quickly get tired, and their ability on the road is compromised. When people attain sixty-five years, their blood is likely to contain high levels of calcium, making them have fatigue mood swings and regular exhaustion. At old age, it is not recommended that people drive to avoid causing crashes (RoSPA 1). According to the report by older drivers task force people above the age of 70 years are likely to cause accidents because of over speeding and eventual loss of control.

Similarly, older adults should not be allowed to drive because at this age, they tend to develop illnesses such as Parkinson's disease, and their memory ability is compromised (RoSPA 1). When the brain cannot function in a healthy way keeping the traffic rules becomes difficult and eventually causing accidents on the road users. Older people are frailty, and it is therefore not advisable for them to drive.

On the contrary, it is essential to note that older adults can drive because there is no age limit to a driver as long as they can be steady and of sound mind while on the road. People age differently, and their ability to perform tasks differs (RoSPA 1). When a person is elderly, and they are still able to drive without problems, they should not be denied driving because it will be limiting their freedom and mobility (Harper et al. 3). However, they should be going for regular checkups with their doctors to ensure that they are often fit to drive. One of the critical issues that older adults should regularly check with their doctors is eyesight. A majority of older adults find difficulty in seeing, especially at night (Harper et al. 3). In this regard, they should be checked frequently to ensure their fitness to drive. Also, once they are above seventy years, they need to have their driving license renewed after every three years to ensure they are still fit to drive. Besides some safety precaution measures should also be applied, such as modifications of mirrors and windows to ensure that they are large enough to cater for the ability of the diminishing vision of the elderly.

In conclusion, it is essential to note that older adults should not drive because at old age their vision is compromised, they quickly get tired while driving and my end up dosing off, causing accidents. Similarly, older adults should not drive because they are unable to maintain lanes and can cause crashes. It is essential, however, to note that people age differently, and some can still drive well and safely despite their advancement in age. In this regard, they should be allowed to drive but go for regular checkups from their doctors.

Works Cited

Halsey, Ashley. Most older drivers outlive the age at which they can drive safely https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/dr-gridlock/wp/2018/08/14/most-older-drivers-outlive-the-age-at-which-they-can-drive-safely/?noredirect=on 2018

Harper, Corey D., et al. "Estimating potential increases in travel with autonomous vehicles for the non-driving, elderly and people with travel-restrictive medical conditions." Transportation research part C: emerging technologies 72 (2016): 1-9.

RoSPA. Driving as you get older retrieved from https://www.informationnow.org.uk/article/driving-as-you-get-older/