When is it time to stop driving?

After all, driving is the last symbol of independence for the elderly.  And generally the older drivers drive  too slowly to cause major accidents. But when they do kill, it always makes headlines.

Here are 11  huge obstacles  elderly drivers face.

1. Peripheral vision

2. Distance Judgment

3. Speed and gap perception

4. Neck and shoulder stiffness

5. Slower response times

6. Individual medical problems

7. Cars with complicated gadgetry

8. Weather conditions

9. Adapting to glare from oncoming traffic

10. Too many distractions such as signs and billboards

11. Not being able to hear sirens and horns

Here are some of the solutions:

Australia: Mandatory testing by a doctor every year

Japan: Incentives to stop driving such as  discounted chiropractic appointments  and free delivery from department stores

Canada: Possible limited driver's licenses- one size does not fit all

Germany: Voluntary health checks, but mainly more driving help such as available driving schools for older drivers

U.S. More user-friendly cars for the elderly.  (The Ford Focus is the top selling car for elderly drivers in the UK who are over 65 because it is easy to manage and has seats that are the right height.)

Here are more questions:

1. What if we take the car away too early? Older people would be forced to go into nursing homes and assisted living.  That means more expenses and busy families would have to take over running errands.

2. Aren't accidents caused by people of all ages?

For example, for 44 years my Dad used to keep the phone number of a commercial glass company beside his typewriter because so many customers  of all ages used to drive  through the side plate glass window at his drugstore.

3. What about cell phones? How many elderly drivers are causing accidents while on the phone?

4. Who's really watching 16-year-olds? What about their driving record as a group?  Is that  something to brag about?

5. What about the areas where traffic laws are not enforced?  Is it really the aggressive older drivers who are speeding, running red lights, and tailgating on a regular basis?

Driving is still  a major  necessity for people of all ages.  Taking the keys away from an elderly driver should be done only as a last resort.

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