Elderly Drivers - Please Stop Driving

[Anonymous]

I just have to hope that GenX and other generations who came of age when Uber / Lyft / Waymo came about and are fine using those services, just won't be such pains when our time comes.

I personally get nothing out of the act of driving myself. I understand it's convenience and necessity, but I also look forward to the Utopia that the Tech folks have laid out that everyone will just subscribe to a Waymo-type service and stop owning a car (or possibly, you can own a Waymo self-driving car...and just tell it where to go and relax in the back seat).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We try, OP. My dad lives in a European capital that has excellent public transportation. He’s 88 and still *needs* his car to play golf.

No he doesn't. You simply take the keys away, or have their doctor send a note to revoke their DL.

So thankful my parents happily gave up their final car by age 82/83.
But I would have taken the keys away if they hadn't within a few years after that

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I like that in Japan if you're 75 you have to pass a cognitive test to keep driving. I think that would be a great idea here - reaction times slow down.

Yes, anyone over 70/75 should be required to have an eye test AND a driving test every 2-3 years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Already and recently covered in-depth:

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1296997.page

Wow, that's about boomers. My parents are silent generation and still driving.

Regardless, as noted in the other recent thread, the stats suggest younger drivers are more at risk:

“[D]rivers between 25 and 34 are involved in the most fatal auto accidents by age group.”

https://www.autoinsurance.org/age-groups-fatal-crashes/

&

“Fatal crashes per licensed driver [are] lower for drivers 70–79 than ages 35–54. All crashes per miles traveled [are] lower for drivers 70–79 than ages 35–54.”

“Results of this study demonstrate that fatal crash involvements among older adults remain lower than the peak levels seen in the mid-1990s. Although a slowing of declining trends can be seen, there is no evidence to suggest an increase in fatal crash rates among older adults, as had been hypothesized when considering the increasing proportion of older adults in the United States population and their elevated crash risk.”

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0022437521000463?

Is there a stat for 80-99??? Also no one here suggested a blanket driving ban based solely on age but mandatory testing every few years once you reach a certain age seems reasonable. All of these people are confident enough in their own driving to be out on the road with all of us so they shouldn’t have a problem with doing that.

Really? Then I think you missed the title of the thread.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Already and recently covered in-depth:

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1296997.page

Wow, that's about boomers. My parents are silent generation and still driving.

Regardless, as noted in the other recent thread, the stats suggest younger drivers are more at risk:

“[D]rivers between 25 and 34 are involved in the most fatal auto accidents by age group.”

https://www.autoinsurance.org/age-groups-fatal-crashes/

&

“Fatal crashes per licensed driver [are] lower for drivers 70–79 than ages 35–54. All crashes per miles traveled [are] lower for drivers 70–79 than ages 35–54.”

“Results of this study demonstrate that fatal crash involvements among older adults remain lower than the peak levels seen in the mid-1990s. Although a slowing of declining trends can be seen, there is no evidence to suggest an increase in fatal crash rates among older adults, as had been hypothesized when considering the increasing proportion of older adults in the United States population and their elevated crash risk.”

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0022437521000463?

Is there a stat for 80-99??? Also no one here suggested a blanket driving ban based solely on age but mandatory testing every few years once you reach a certain age seems reasonable. All of these people are confident enough in their own driving to be out on the road with all of us so they shouldn’t have a problem with doing that.

Really? Then I think you missed the title of the thread.

The actual original post says essentially (I feel like you would find issue if I missed a word so I’ll add essentially) if you have elderly parents please take an honest look at whether they should still be driving. It doesn’t say no one over 80 should have a license. I expect you are of that age group though bc this is reminding me of trying to discuss something with my parents and them focusing solely on my tone to avoid hearing what I’m saying.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Already and recently covered in-depth:

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1296997.page

Wow, that's about boomers. My parents are silent generation and still driving.

Regardless, as noted in the other recent thread, the stats suggest younger drivers are more at risk:

“[D]rivers between 25 and 34 are involved in the most fatal auto accidents by age group.”

https://www.autoinsurance.org/age-groups-fatal-crashes/

&

“Fatal crashes per licensed driver [are] lower for drivers 70–79 than ages 35–54. All crashes per miles traveled [are] lower for drivers 70–79 than ages 35–54.”

“Results of this study demonstrate that fatal crash involvements among older adults remain lower than the peak levels seen in the mid-1990s. Although a slowing of declining trends can be seen, there is no evidence to suggest an increase in fatal crash rates among older adults, as had been hypothesized when considering the increasing proportion of older adults in the United States population and their elevated crash risk.”

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0022437521000463?

Is there a stat for 80-99??? Also no one here suggested a blanket driving ban based solely on age but mandatory testing every few years once you reach a certain age seems reasonable. All of these people are confident enough in their own driving to be out on the road with all of us so they shouldn’t have a problem with doing that.

Really? Then I think you missed the title of the thread.

The actual original post says essentially (I feel like you would find issue if I missed a word so I’ll add essentially) if you have elderly parents please take an honest look at whether they should still be driving. It doesn’t say no one over 80 should have a license. I expect you are of that age group though bc this is reminding me of trying to discuss something with my parents and them focusing solely on my tone to avoid hearing what I’m saying.

Then perhaps choose your words more carefully than Elderly Drivers - Please Stop Driving. The original post from the nearly identical previous thread, Boomer Drivers, also lacked nuance: “Dear Boomers - Please stop driving before you kill someone or damage even more property by ‘accidentally’ driving into someone’s home or business - which seems to happen all the time without repercussions.”

No one is arguing this issue isn’t a concern, but it’s also quite complex, and the data bears that out:

Number of Auto Accident Fatalities by Age
Age Group / Fatal Accidents
16-24 / 5,623
25-34 / 6,548
35-44 / 5,117
45-54 / 4,958
55-64 / 5,347
65-74 / 3,658
75+ / 3,556

https://www.autoinsurance.org/age-groups-fatal-crashes/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8752189/
https://assets.thehartford.com/image/upload/we_need_to_talk.pdf

[Anonymous]

There were two more instances of drivers driving into local buildings - just in the last two days. 78 year old woman ‘mistook gas pedal for brake’ in Glen Burnie and crashed into a doctors office - injuring people.

And then someone drove into the American Girl store in Tyson’s - thank god was middle of the day middle of the week or it would have been packed with kids. No word on the demographic of the driver but I would be willing to bet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Already and recently covered in-depth:

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1296997.page

Wow, that's about boomers. My parents are silent generation and still driving.

Regardless, as noted in the other recent thread, the stats suggest younger drivers are more at risk:

“[D]rivers between 25 and 34 are involved in the most fatal auto accidents by age group.”

https://www.autoinsurance.org/age-groups-fatal-crashes/

&

“Fatal crashes per licensed driver [are] lower for drivers 70–79 than ages 35–54. All crashes per miles traveled [are] lower for drivers 70–79 than ages 35–54.”

“Results of this study demonstrate that fatal crash involvements among older adults remain lower than the peak levels seen in the mid-1990s. Although a slowing of declining trends can be seen, there is no evidence to suggest an increase in fatal crash rates among older adults, as had been hypothesized when considering the increasing proportion of older adults in the United States population and their elevated crash risk.”

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0022437521000463?

Is there a stat for 80-99??? Also no one here suggested a blanket driving ban based solely on age but mandatory testing every few years once you reach a certain age seems reasonable. All of these people are confident enough in their own driving to be out on the road with all of us so they shouldn’t have a problem with doing that.

Really? Then I think you missed the title of the thread.

Just like we don't let 12 yo drive a car, we should require a vision and driving test for everyone over 70/75 every 2 years, imo. Cognitive decline and reaction time decline is real. If you are still safe to drive you get to keep your dl for another 2 years. If not, the state takes it, just like they would do for someone who is blind or has severe stroke risk or other medical conditions.

[Anonymous]

When they take away my keys, hand me my gun.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I like that in Japan if you're 75 you have to pass a cognitive test to keep driving. I think that would be a great idea here - reaction times slow down.

Yes, we need this. I know a student who was hit by an elderly driver and one of my doctors had a terrible life altering accident caused by an elderly driver. You can contact the DMV with concerns and sometimes they will require an evaluation. Also, make sure doctors know concerns because there are things they can evaluate that are necessary for driving.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Already and recently covered in-depth:

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1296997.page

Wow, that's about boomers. My parents are silent generation and still driving.

Regardless, as noted in the other recent thread, the stats suggest younger drivers are more at risk:

“[D]rivers between 25 and 34 are involved in the most fatal auto accidents by age group.”

https://www.autoinsurance.org/age-groups-fatal-crashes/

&

“Fatal crashes per licensed driver [are] lower for drivers 70–79 than ages 35–54. All crashes per miles traveled [are] lower for drivers 70–79 than ages 35–54.”

“Results of this study demonstrate that fatal crash involvements among older adults remain lower than the peak levels seen in the mid-1990s. Although a slowing of declining trends can be seen, there is no evidence to suggest an increase in fatal crash rates among older adults, as had been hypothesized when considering the increasing proportion of older adults in the United States population and their elevated crash risk.”

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0022437521000463?

Is there a stat for 80-99??? Also no one here suggested a blanket driving ban based solely on age but mandatory testing every few years once you reach a certain age seems reasonable. All of these people are confident enough in their own driving to be out on the road with all of us so they shouldn’t have a problem with doing that.

Really? Then I think you missed the title of the thread.

The actual original post says essentially (I feel like you would find issue if I missed a word so I’ll add essentially) if you have elderly parents please take an honest look at whether they should still be driving. It doesn’t say no one over 80 should have a license. I expect you are of that age group though bc this is reminding me of trying to discuss something with my parents and them focusing solely on my tone to avoid hearing what I’m saying.

Then perhaps choose your words more carefully than Elderly Drivers - Please Stop Driving. The original post from the nearly identical previous thread, Boomer Drivers, also lacked nuance: “Dear Boomers - Please stop driving before you kill someone or damage even more property by ‘accidentally’ driving into someone’s home or business - which seems to happen all the time without repercussions.”

No one is arguing this issue isn’t a concern, but it’s also quite complex, and the data bears that out:

Number of Auto Accident Fatalities by Age
Age Group / Fatal Accidents
16-24 / 5,623
25-34 / 6,548
35-44 / 5,117
45-54 / 4,958
55-64 / 5,347
65-74 / 3,658
75+ / 3,556

https://www.autoinsurance.org/age-groups-fatal-crashes/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8752189/
https://assets.thehartford.com/image/upload/we_need_to_talk.pdf

This would be great data to show a star class for a critique. You need a ratio for starters- number of accidents over total number of people driving in that age range. There are people over 75 who already stopped driving, have passed away and who never learned in the first place. Also, you really need to break 75+ into even year by year ratios especially once people hit 80, a notorious age for increase in decline.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: I understand it's convenience and necessity, but I also look forward to the Utopia that the Tech folks have laid out that everyone will just subscribe to a Waymo-type service and stop owning a car (or possibly, you can own a Waymo self-driving car...and just tell it where to go and relax in the back seat).

If the government would get off its ass and promulgate the safety standards the manufacturers need we could have this in time for me. Not a fan of government regulations but this is how it works now.

I had thought 10 years ago I would be buying out last car now and it would be autonomous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Already and recently covered in-depth:

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1296997.page

Wow, that's about boomers. My parents are silent generation and still driving.

Regardless, as noted in the other recent thread, the stats suggest younger drivers are more at risk:

“[D]rivers between 25 and 34 are involved in the most fatal auto accidents by age group.”

https://www.autoinsurance.org/age-groups-fatal-crashes/

&

“Fatal crashes per licensed driver [are] lower for drivers 70–79 than ages 35–54. All crashes per miles traveled [are] lower for drivers 70–79 than ages 35–54.”

“Results of this study demonstrate that fatal crash involvements among older adults remain lower than the peak levels seen in the mid-1990s. Although a slowing of declining trends can be seen, there is no evidence to suggest an increase in fatal crash rates among older adults, as had been hypothesized when considering the increasing proportion of older adults in the United States population and their elevated crash risk.”

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0022437521000463?

Is there a stat for 80-99??? Also no one here suggested a blanket driving ban based solely on age but mandatory testing every few years once you reach a certain age seems reasonable. All of these people are confident enough in their own driving to be out on the road with all of us so they shouldn’t have a problem with doing that.

Really? Then I think you missed the title of the thread.

The actual original post says essentially (I feel like you would find issue if I missed a word so I’ll add essentially) if you have elderly parents please take an honest look at whether they should still be driving. It doesn’t say no one over 80 should have a license. I expect you are of that age group though bc this is reminding me of trying to discuss something with my parents and them focusing solely on my tone to avoid hearing what I’m saying.

Then perhaps choose your words more carefully than Elderly Drivers - Please Stop Driving. The original post from the nearly identical previous thread, Boomer Drivers, also lacked nuance: “Dear Boomers - Please stop driving before you kill someone or damage even more property by ‘accidentally’ driving into someone’s home or business - which seems to happen all the time without repercussions.”

No one is arguing this issue isn’t a concern, but it’s also quite complex, and the data bears that out:

Number of Auto Accident Fatalities by Age
Age Group / Fatal Accidents
16-24 / 5,623
25-34 / 6,548
35-44 / 5,117
45-54 / 4,958
55-64 / 5,347
65-74 / 3,658
75+ / 3,556

https://www.autoinsurance.org/age-groups-fatal-crashes/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8752189/
https://assets.thehartford.com/image/upload/we_need_to_talk.pdf

This would be great data to show a star class for a critique. You need a ratio for starters- number of accidents over total number of people driving in that age range. There are people over 75 who already stopped driving, have passed away and who never learned in the first place. Also, you really need to break 75+ into even year by year ratios especially once people hit 80, a notorious age for increase in decline.

Wow you are so right and I didn’t realize that - they have the number of fatal accidents per group but they don’t say out of how many drivers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Already and recently covered in-depth:

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1296997.page

Wow, that's about boomers. My parents are silent generation and still driving.

Regardless, as noted in the other recent thread, the stats suggest younger drivers are more at risk:

“[D]rivers between 25 and 34 are involved in the most fatal auto accidents by age group.”

https://www.autoinsurance.org/age-groups-fatal-crashes/

&

“Fatal crashes per licensed driver [are] lower for drivers 70–79 than ages 35–54. All crashes per miles traveled [are] lower for drivers 70–79 than ages 35–54.”

“Results of this study demonstrate that fatal crash involvements among older adults remain lower than the peak levels seen in the mid-1990s. Although a slowing of declining trends can be seen, there is no evidence to suggest an increase in fatal crash rates among older adults, as had been hypothesized when considering the increasing proportion of older adults in the United States population and their elevated crash risk.”

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0022437521000463?

Is there a stat for 80-99??? Also no one here suggested a blanket driving ban based solely on age but mandatory testing every few years once you reach a certain age seems reasonable. All of these people are confident enough in their own driving to be out on the road with all of us so they shouldn’t have a problem with doing that.

Really? Then I think you missed the title of the thread.

The actual original post says essentially (I feel like you would find issue if I missed a word so I’ll add essentially) if you have elderly parents please take an honest look at whether they should still be driving. It doesn’t say no one over 80 should have a license. I expect you are of that age group though bc this is reminding me of trying to discuss something with my parents and them focusing solely on my tone to avoid hearing what I’m saying.

Then perhaps choose your words more carefully than Elderly Drivers - Please Stop Driving. The original post from the nearly identical previous thread, Boomer Drivers, also lacked nuance: “Dear Boomers - Please stop driving before you kill someone or damage even more property by ‘accidentally’ driving into someone’s home or business - which seems to happen all the time without repercussions.”

No one is arguing this issue isn’t a concern, but it’s also quite complex, and the data bears that out:

Number of Auto Accident Fatalities by Age
Age Group / Fatal Accidents
16-24 / 5,623
25-34 / 6,548
35-44 / 5,117
45-54 / 4,958
55-64 / 5,347
65-74 / 3,658
75+ / 3,556

https://www.autoinsurance.org/age-groups-fatal-crashes/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8752189/
https://assets.thehartford.com/image/upload/we_need_to_talk.pdf

This would be great data to show a stat class for a critique. You need a ratio for starters- number of accidents over total number of people driving in that age range. There are people over 75 who already stopped driving, have passed away and who never learned in the first place. Also, you really need to break 75+ into even year by year ratios especially once people hit 80, a notorious age for increase in decline.

Wow you are so right and I didn’t realize that - they have the number of fatal accidents per group but they don’t say out of how many drivers.

I'm surprised insurance companies would make this mistake in presenting data. If they presented it as percentages, they'd likely have a case to charge the elderly more and require tests.

[Anonymous]

Here is the info you are looking for, though it is 10 years old.

https://aaafoundation.org/rates-motor-vehicle-crashes-injuries-deaths-relation-driver-age-united-states-2014-2015/

"Drivers ages 60-69 had the lowest crash rate. Crash rates began to increase beyond age 70; however, drivers ages 70-79 had crash rates similar to or lower than those of drivers ages 30-59, and drivers age 80 and older had crash rate higher than those of drivers ages 30-79 but lower than those of drivers younger than age 30. Rates of [crashes with injury] generally followed a pattern very similar to overall crash involvement rates."

However, elderly drivers are more likely to be killed in a crash. Driver fatalities are highest for drivers over 80. That likely has to do with the general frailty of people over 80. The second highest rate of driver fatality belongs to drivers age 16 & 17, followed by drivers 18-30. Then comes drivers 70-79.

The lowest rate of crashes, crashes with injury, and driver fatality are drivers 60-69.

So, you see, lots of agism in this thread.