Should old people be allowed to drive?

[melvinator]

well then your one of a kind,
and there is no need to be rude,
to be honest thats pretty unrealistic.
how many old people do you actually see other that you racing around the streets.
thats ridicoulous.


'please reply'

[PAULINE]

OF COURSE WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO DRIVE,WHAT NONESENSE

[PAULINE]

SO LONG AS UR FIT & HEALTHY,CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH WHY NOT?
WHAT AGE DO HAVE TO RE-TEST,IS IT 70?

[mandem]

i agree they should be retested every 2 years at least too see if they are fit enough to drive.

[mandem]

i think that oldies should sell there car to pay for heating and use their free bus pass to get around

[John]

Can you image the cost and the army of people that you would need for 10 year
re-tests? It is well over £50 now.

Drivers with maturity and thought should get better as the years pass by.

It is those that drive beyond theire ability and not realising that they would be better giving up.

[sianybarny108]

heey guys!
after reading through all the replies to this question I was asking why you all say 'oldies' and why younger people say 'them' or 'they'. I just wondered if you took offence to this at all?

I am doing coursework for my biology GCSE and the title is 'should old people be allowed to drive?' I have to do all kind of research and look at scientific data and laws by the goverment and its pretty confusing if i am being honest! But data I have found so far shows that 95% of people aged 65 up have much slower reaction times than people aged 25 - 40. There is also other data that say the same and about challenging eye sight. Some of the thing mentioned so far have put more ideas in my mind about possible arguments I could put forward and things I could google! Personally I thing You should have a driving test every year after the age 65. Or put new laws or legislation saying that the doctor has to do reaction times on your medical check ups and examinations.
But OAP's do have the facilities to get around, free bus passes and most communities have a mini bus that drops people around anyway. As a young person I know that having to rely on a bus isnt that free and you loose a sense of independance. But you have to live with it I am afraid, and if it is vital that you are near a certain area then move to a suitable location and walk.
I thought you would all like to read my essay when it is finished? if so then email me at : sian.cool@hotmail.com with the subject title as: 'Should old people be allowed to drive?' can I know more?
and I shall email it to with the given grade I achieved.
Thanks you if you have managed to read this far
Sian Hughes xx

[John]

Driving has much to do with reaction - but not the sort that
driving properly incurs.

This is reflected by risk and the cost of insurance, age
related accidents and injury.

You need to get a balance of the real picture and not
just the reaction one.

Boy racers no doubt think that they have an high reaction
time and this makes them good drivers.

Depending on your driving experience it is normal to have
to make allowances for 'Boy Racers' who are in fact
sometimes driving quite dangerously.

But to them they are wonderful - well that what their mates
reckon when attending the funeral...

[Hells Granny]

I have quit driving voluntarily. I am 61, and 2 years back I was diagnosed with cataracts.

I was a police trained and safe driver, and gave up rather than cause an accident which might have resulted in somebody's death, or permanent disability.

Cheers, HG

[zapata]

its all very well saying people should keep resitting the driving test every few years or even as someone said (every year),in the past i remember when it took 6 months to get a test,can you imagine how long it would take to get a test if people had to constantly retest,unless you want thousands more government employees,personally i think we are overburdend with with them now,and just to add that i am often tailgated even though i drive at the correct speed and more often than not i find it is a woman who is trying to get in my boot,so leave the pensioners alone theres good and bad in all age and gender groups.thank you.

[John]

Re-tests would just be a stealth tax and possible job creator.

I hope Gordon does not read this. But then again he
does not listen to the electorate - so I expect
this means all forms of communication are ignored...

[capewell]

yes they past there test {have you} :)

[capewell]

i forgot every time i am cut up it seams to be some youg f1 driver i would rather be hit at 25 mph than 60 mph think about it ??

[chrissydrove]

Never mind about old people retaking their driving test, what about young drivers being taught properly in the first place.
Most don't know how to signal on a roundabout. Many don't know the rules of a roundabout. Many think it is their right of way to barge onto a motorway or duel carriageway.
Many young drivers think they can drive like F1 drivers because they are not mature enough.
In this call for banning pensioners from motorways etc., are they trying to say that the younger people stick to the speed limit and drive properly? I know that they don't.
Possibly over 80 may need to be checked out re reflexes etc. but not before unless there is a medical reason for it and this could be at any age.
Personally I think all in all the driving instructors need to raise their bar in teaching quality to younger arrogant drivers. Sometimes I despair when I see the poor quality of teaching standards.

[Oldwrinklyone]

I will give up my car when I hear that my local MP  (who is older than me}has sold his in favour of public transport.