Old People Should Not Drive

Timed Write # 1 What’s more dangerous, drivers under twenty or drivers over seventy? While older drivers have decades of experience, the statistics on these two groups will probably surprise you. It says on Smartmotorist.com that older drivers are more likely than younger ones to be involved in multi-vehicle crashes, particularly at intersections. So if you feel bad for older people that have to re-take their license, think again. It could be you who gets in a fender bender with your eighty year old neighbor. While it’s true that elderly people have a lot more experience than the younger drivers on the road today, they also have a lot more health issues that could cause an accident. With age comes diminishing eye sight, hearing, and especially reflexive response. I agree with the laws today that state people over a certain age are required to re-take the drivers license test. I’ve had many experiences riding in the car with elderly people that make me stick to what I believe today. Just a few examples for you. . . My boyfriend’s grandma was taking me to the airport and on the way over there she ran through a red light. Scary thing is, she hadn’t even realized she had run it. I was too scared to even say anything for fear that she would do something harsh at the last second and cause an accident. I assure no one was going through the intersection but us, otherwise I would have taken action. Another time when I doubt the elderly ‘s driving skills; my grandma didn’t bother looking over her shoulder to make sure it was clear before getting over into the next lane and we almost side swiped the car next to us. So I stand corrected that older people should have to take more tests to re-issue their license. I strongly believe that elderly people are more dangerous on the road but I also believe that they deserve the right to operate a motor vehicle along with everyone else. Along with having to re-take the driving test, people over a certain age should also have to take a short class on the safeties of driving at an older age. Let’s not take away the privilege of driving completely for older citizens, but rather help them out and help us out for safer driving on the road.