Why are people still driving at 80???!!!

I hope I wouldn't have to drive when I turn 80 but if I would always be in the house getting bored or something and I have a license to drive I would definitely drive myself to get around...but very, very, carefully. You're lucky you weren't hurt or anything. Reese Witherspoon was hit by an 80-yr old woman also last month while Reese was crossing the stop sign jogging. She didn't sue but the old lady was asked to take a driving test. I wonder if she passed it...

I have to say the most irresponsible drivers I see are either very young, or very old. I am a firm believer that at some point, we have got to have people take the driver's test again. We all take it when we first get our license, and then as long as we get our license renewed every four years (or 6 in some states), no one ever monitors who is out on the road. I cannot believe I didn't kill someone when I was sixteen. I had my license and cannot tell you how many times I almost had an accident. It was inexperience. Well, when we are old, the experience we might have gotten over the years seems to not matter as much, our reflexes are slower, and the quality of our driving goes down. I'm not trying to be mean to older people. It's just a natural thing. Some people are 70 and drive great. But some don't. I think when a person gets to sixy five years old they should have to take the driver's test again. The driven part, not the written. To me, sixty-five is not old. But it wouldn't hurt for a refresher. And for maybe an instructor to catch some bad habits that could only get worse as they go further into older age.

Well I can understand your frustration. I saw that happen at the school before and it was a little old lady. She most likely took off because she was scared out of her wits. I agree that we should be much more particular in allowing people of age to continue driving. They should have driving tests like once or twice a year, or maybe be given the all clear by their doc. The part I dont really get would be suing her. I would feel kinda bad, like I was suing my grandma or one of her bingo buddies.

The obvious reason is to get herself around, if she can get someone drive her around like shopping for necessity and visitng friend and love one, i am quite sure a 80 years old will be more than happy not to drive a car anymore due to slow reflex action and deteriorating responses to fast traffic. When one getting old, it doesn't means that she /him is not going to live like the rest of us who are younger, they still need to visit friends and go shopping to keep up with daily life, not driving will keep her from living especially in today modern world. Driving has become such an essential part of modern day living for majority of people.

Well people grow differently, you will find a person who is 80 years of age but still looks like a 60 year old. You will pretty much get almost nothing from an old person.

You should be an police! You helped her, did she have a driver licens? regards oliver

Amanda81587, I thought there's a maximum age limit for elderly drivers in your country and if this individual is still driving, then the legislators will have to certify that she is actually fit to retain her licence and drive. I hope that she is still legally insured or you might just be paying for the damages on your own.

amanda 81587 watch it I am not like a million years old I am 84 and of sound mind but I do not drive. I have a friend who is 78 and she has an excellent driving record. so saying anyone 80 should not drive is assuming we are all bonkers and senile. Now you found one who is a poor driver, but she was probably a poor driver 20 years ago too.She is really stupid running off from the scene of an accident I grant you but now if she had been sixty would you have said she was a million years old?what would you have anyone over sixty do? shrivel up and die? the law lets older people drive if they pass written and driving tests. I hope you can get this settled as she had no right running off I am just saying show a little more respect for people over 50 or 60 as we are living longer and are keeping our brain power intact.We also do not like being laughed at as being a zillion years old. bad drivers come in all ages,

I don't know why people in there 80's are still driving. I really think that over a certain age the eldery should be made to sit a test to see if they are still ok to drive. They need to make a new test for these people as after we pass our driving test we all drive differently and I bet if we sat the same test after many years of driving we wouldn't pass so a new test will need to be made to test if the eldery are still safe to drive.

Yes, I have had some experiences with the elderly, older than me. but, the age group, I want to stay away from are the teenagers. OMG. They scare me. I know they are just enjoying life and all and get carried away, but it is scary sometimes. I know people I worked with used to tell me that my daughter, when she was about 16 or so would tailgate people and they were afraid she was gonna hit them. My mom turned 86 in August and still drives when her back isn't hurting too bad. She can take a pill tho, and is able to get out more. LOL! She is a very good driver tho. She is very alert and doesn't get nervous on the road. She is pretty amazing at some things.

Unless they've been qualified to do so, I also agree that they should be off the road. I know that there are some 80+ year olds who are still very capable, but unless it's proven so, I think it would just be safer if they are not. Safer not only for the people on the road, but also for her.

You were in subway enjoying the delicious sub. Were the children with you at that time and you could run immediately outside and take details about that old lady. Was you vehicle damaged so much that you have to file insurance claim. Anyhow I wish you and the old lady success.!!!