Reports of a motor vehicle accident in Pennsylvania are not exactly breaking news. However, with more senior drivers taking to U.S. roads, lawmakers and family members face complex decisions. As 10,000 people celebrate their 65th birthday daily, by 2020 almost one of every six people will be seniors.
Most are capable of driving safely for many years into the future. The American Automobile Association has studied this issue. They agree that most seniors will enjoy years of safe driving experiences without being involved in a car accident.
However, some seniors will generate a "silver tsunami" of driving problems resulting from diminished eyesight and/or reflexes. Even after many years of safe, responsible driving, some seniors, through no fault or disregard of their own, can pose a dangerous risk to themselves and others on roadways and highways.
Since the decisions to permit or prohibit auto driving is left to family, regulators and insurance companies, all must focus on creating a "balance" between road safety and elder independence. These are heavy, complex responsibilities. Unlike many other issues, these are "black/white" decisions, as there are seldom any gray areas. These permission/prohibition decisions are best decided by, but most difficult on, family members.
Further complicating drive/no drive decisions is the fact that there is no "magic age" when senior driving becomes unsafe. Some states, including Pennsylvania, allow senior drivers to renew their licenses by mail/e-mail, without any in-person testing of eyesight or reaction ability. Senior drivers with good eyesight and "catlike reflexes" can drive safely to and beyond age 80. Others may be highway dangers at much younger calendar ages.
Researchers must continue to gather data and create solutions that reward seniors who remain safe drivers, while better controlling or prohibiting driving by those who pose danger to themselves and/or others. The "jury" of public opinion, regulators, insurance companies and family is still "out."
While many close family members are in the best position to evaluate their beloved senior's ability to operate an automobile, unless the elder person voluntarily curtails their driving, prohibition decisions pose serious dilemmas. The former parent/child dynamic can be a powerful inhibitor to sound, safe driving decisions.
Source: FOX News, "Diminished motor skills: 'Silver tsunami' of elderly drivers prompts tough decisions," Joshua Rhett Miller, April 16, 2012