Compare And Contrast Elderly Driving And Defensive Driving

Biggest issue within the United States today relates to driving skills between young and older age adults. Of course there are differences that create the reaction of the cause and effect within adults that are experienced with motor vehicles. Timing is also considered another factor on what type of vehicle is being utilized due to; braking capability, weather factors and experience of other drivers within the surrounding. Young age and old age driving comparison shows completely different aspects from vision to timing reaction to any kind of significant events. First issue is the exam and driving test, by law it is required at the age of 16 in most states. Few states authorizes at the age of 15 due to limited population in some cases. When performing mandatory eye exams, the test will determine if the applicant is either colorblind or night blind. It doesn't disqualify the person to drive but have certain restrictions to operate. When it comes time to operate machinery for jobs that require license, it
can affect the outcome of the hiring process. Over time, eyesight will change and colorblind or blindness goes away after constant exposure of driving. Eyesight deteriorates similarly. Some people may be safe to drive during the day, but not at night. Others may not be safe on long trips, because of loss of concentration, but would be fine pottering down to the shops (2015). First area which creates differences of driving is speeding. This infraction is the highest percentage throughout the United States however, younger drivers are known to commit these offenses because of oversleeping and not taking the actual responsibility creating sleep schedule which can help the individual get up. In comparison of the older generation, biggest understanding if the body needs rest to become ready for the very next day. Working at a time sensitive job is always the reason why both young and old adults commit speeding offenses. Here is a statistic as one of the high offenses relating to speeding. Young drivers have a tendency to drive fast but at a higher rate of fatality due to inexperience. Take New Jersey for example for young drivers, the crash rate was estimated at the highest percentage throughout the United States itself. When obtaining a license there are phases which the license is earned, beginner, and intermediate. For example, the 38% of drivers who transitioned in the first month of eligibility (i.e., 13th month) experienced a 24% higher crash rate in that month than drivers who remained in the intermediate phase (observed rates: 158 vs. 127 per 10,000 licensed drivers, respectively) (Curry). Next comparison between old and young age adults relates to reaction time of driving. This area carries many advantages and disadvantages when operating motor vehicles which deems unsafe and safe in some cases. Reaction time comes into play during weather and driving in areas which speed limit is extremely high with limited amount of time. Younger age carry the advantage due to learning capability at an accelerated rate. On the other hand, reaction time for older adults deteriorates due to health conditions and issues relating to the nervous system. Supplements were introduced to help reduce fatigue in which benefit drivers that have problems staying awake behind the wheel. This occurs with both young and old drivers within reaction time driving. Caffeine is one of the supplements that have helped with reaction driving. Energy drinks refer to beverages containing caffeine and sometimes other stimulating herbal products. One hundred and thirty of these products contain more than the 0.02% caffeine limit the US Federal Drug Administration (FDA) requires for soft drinks, typically 80-141 mg caffeine per 8 oz. (2010). Within the findings and research within the article, the age range of adults was ranged from 20 to 31 years including gender and ethnicity. It is believed that it depends on the operator driving that makes the difference. Another driving difference relates to is defensive driving.
Defensive driving is a concept of defending yourself but instead of a person, it relates to vehicles and others around you. Defensive driving is known within today’s military and also used within law enforcement. Regardless, these methods should be taught for teens all the way to elderly in order to help understand the indicators to react of potential hazards that may or will happen. Numerous accidents happen because a driver does not pay attention to what is happening on the road. Any vehicle, immaterial of its size, can be the cause of an accident (2012). This falls into both age ranges when it comes to not paying attention or might possibly that the driver doesn’t care about the surroundings. Research on drivers with marginal deficits in cognitive function, mainly older drivers, also points the possibility of compensation of these deficits, e.g. by driving more defensively and carefully
(zingg). In comparison between old age and younger age drivers, experience varies between age and proper mentorship of reducing amount of accidents within young and old population. At end state, advantages and disadvantages apply for the young and some apply to the elderly. Utilization of vision is always imperative to all ages while operating a motor vehicle. If the individual cannot drive, clearly that person shouldn’t be driving and putting many at risk of injury or possibly death. Driving programs should be implemented to all ages to ensure the safety of the individual and others in the surrounding.