Elderly Driving Outline
"Senior Citizen Driving"
I. Introduction
A. In 2003, 90yr-old, George Weller made the headlines due to him driving his car into a farmers market in Santa Monica, CA. He was found guilty on 10 counts of vehicular manslaughter and sentenced to 5 years of probation with over $100,000 in fines. (Wilson)
B. Today I want to propose that the federal government institute a law requiring any one age 70 and up with a state drivers license to be tested every year to make sure they mentally and physically capable of driving.
C. I will be discussing the reasons as to why senior citizens inability to drive increases with age, the effects of their driving, and proposed solutions and benefits.
Lets begin my addressing the obvious loss of body functions. …show more content…
Critical Points
A. Why do the elderly develop driving disabilities?
1. Loss of Body Functions
a. Vision loss accounts for up to 90 to 95% of the info needed to maneuver in traffic. (Wilson)
b. Research shows that the average person's hearing and reaction time deteriorates at about 2% every year after the age of 20. (Wilson)
c. Loss in muscle strength and flexibility can increase the time it takes to move one's foot from the accelerator to the brake, sometimes causing confusion between the two and failure to check blind spots. (Wilson)
2. Motor Vehicle Impairment and Sense of Direction
a. Most senior citizens become less aware of the signs of car trouble, the most common being under-inflated tires. (Russo)
b. Due to an increase in memory loss, usually associated with Alzheimer's, they may lose sense of direction. (Russo)
Now that I've covered the causes of senior citizens' inability to drive lets explore effects they have on themselves and on others.
B. The positive and negative effects of senior citizen driving.
1. Positive Effects
a. Senior citizens have a sense of identity and independence when driving. (Russo)
b. They're more involved in activities and maintain social relationships. (Russo)
2. Negative …show more content…
Conclusion
A. Although the result of Weller's law will be a harsh punishment to senior citizens, limiting them socially and physically, old people and driving are like oil and water, they just don't mix. My message to senior citizens is "Get Tested, Save A Life!" Again I want to propose a law to the federal government, Weller's Law, requiring any one age 70 and up to be tested at their local DMV every year to evaluate whether they are mentally and physically capable of driving a car.
Sources
1. Wilson, Kevin A. "What to do about Elderly Drivers: Part 1 of 2; Everyday, we are all getting older. With better health care, life expectancy is rising. For a population that has enjoyed the personal freedom the automobile offers, a potential danger looms. (Special Report)." AutoWeek 57.14 (April 2, 2007): 20. Student Edition. Thomson Gale. Clemson University.
2. Russo, Francine. "Driving Us Crazy: New help for older people who are shaky behind the wheel--and their children. (TIME Bonus Section September 2005: Generations)." Time 166.7 (August 15, 2005): F13. Student Edition. Thomson Gale. Clemson University.
3. Cureton, Ella Belle. Telephone Interview, April 13,
I. Introduction
A. In 2003, 90yr-old, George Weller made the headlines due to him driving his car into a farmers market in Santa Monica, CA. He was found guilty on 10 counts of vehicular manslaughter and sentenced to 5 years of probation with over $100,000 in fines. (Wilson)
B. Today I want to propose that the federal government institute a law requiring any one age 70 and up with a state drivers license to be tested every year to make sure they mentally and physically capable of driving.
C. I will be discussing the reasons as to why senior citizens inability to drive increases with age, the effects of their driving, and proposed solutions and benefits.
Lets begin my addressing the obvious loss of body functions. …show more content…
Critical Points
A. Why do the elderly develop driving disabilities?
1. Loss of Body Functions
a. Vision loss accounts for up to 90 to 95% of the info needed to maneuver in traffic. (Wilson)
b. Research shows that the average person's hearing and reaction time deteriorates at about 2% every year after the age of 20. (Wilson)
c. Loss in muscle strength and flexibility can increase the time it takes to move one's foot from the accelerator to the brake, sometimes causing confusion between the two and failure to check blind spots. (Wilson)
2. Motor Vehicle Impairment and Sense of Direction
a. Most senior citizens become less aware of the signs of car trouble, the most common being under-inflated tires. (Russo)
b. Due to an increase in memory loss, usually associated with Alzheimer's, they may lose sense of direction. (Russo)
Now that I've covered the causes of senior citizens' inability to drive lets explore effects they have on themselves and on others.
B. The positive and negative effects of senior citizen driving.
1. Positive Effects
a. Senior citizens have a sense of identity and independence when driving. (Russo)
b. They're more involved in activities and maintain social relationships. (Russo)
2. Negative …show more content…
Conclusion
A. Although the result of Weller's law will be a harsh punishment to senior citizens, limiting them socially and physically, old people and driving are like oil and water, they just don't mix. My message to senior citizens is "Get Tested, Save A Life!" Again I want to propose a law to the federal government, Weller's Law, requiring any one age 70 and up to be tested at their local DMV every year to evaluate whether they are mentally and physically capable of driving a car.
Sources
1. Wilson, Kevin A. "What to do about Elderly Drivers: Part 1 of 2; Everyday, we are all getting older. With better health care, life expectancy is rising. For a population that has enjoyed the personal freedom the automobile offers, a potential danger looms. (Special Report)." AutoWeek 57.14 (April 2, 2007): 20. Student Edition. Thomson Gale. Clemson University.
2. Russo, Francine. "Driving Us Crazy: New help for older people who are shaky behind the wheel--and their children. (TIME Bonus Section September 2005: Generations)." Time 166.7 (August 15, 2005): F13. Student Edition. Thomson Gale. Clemson University.
3. Cureton, Ella Belle. Telephone Interview, April 13,