Is there an age to stop driving a vehicle?
By Jeff Unruh
@mypointsju (583)
Westland, Michigan
April 5, 2016 8:31pm CST
My dad is getting to a time in his life that his driving is starting to scare me. Last year while in Florida, we were on a 5 lane road and he was not stopping and there were cars everywhere. I am yelling to stop and he said he couldn't. Me being stupid I reached over and used my hand to push on the brake (very dangerous if we got in a car accident) and I would have been toast if we got into an accident. Now I find him going into the other lane and driving slower (not dangerously slow, but if it 70 MPH he will do 55 MPH).
So my brother and I have to determine when is the time to say, "Dad, you really can't drive anymore", because that would crush him, that is tough, but I am worried for him and the other drivers.
Maybe it is just me putting it off on other people or maybe it is a good solution. because I have seen some 80 year olds that drive great, so I don't think it should be an age limit. What I do think is at a certain age there should be mandatory driving tests (not just a written tests). As you get to even older the tests should be more frequent. If you pass, great, if not, well then you should not be driving.
What are your thoughts?
20 people like this
19 responses
@BelleStarr (61101)
• United States
6 Apr 16
I think each person is different. My mother had to stop when she was about 93 but driving in Florida is crazy on some roads and I find it a challenge.
2 people like this
@mypointsju (583)
• Westland, Michigan
6 Apr 16
Yes and I think every one is different, but if there was a mandatory driving tests at certain ages and they passed the test, then let em drive. If not, well then I do not want them on the road.
My dad lives in Michigan for 8 Months out of the year and then goes to Florida. Yes Florida driving is interesting.
2 people like this
@Inlemay (17713)
• South Africa
6 Apr 16
I am not sure - I have a great Aunt who is 91 and the traffic department said her eyes were not so good even though she passed the test by the required percentage. They recommended that she stop driving, so she went to the EYE specialist, got a proper EYE test and report and submitted it to the Traffic department where they then issued her licence. She drives a Toyota Yaris and is quite capable still. On the other hand my hubby is 56 and drives like a lunatic - I would take him off the road first - regardless of his age!
1 person likes this
@mypointsju (583)
• Westland, Michigan
7 Apr 16
I have never said that younger people can't be idiots when driving, but usually over a certain age, we either think we rule the road or our reaction times are slower or we are not paying attention. I have no problem with someone 120 years old driving as long as they could pass a road test.
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
6 Apr 16
In the Uk we have to renew our driving licence every 3 years once we reach 70. It's a farce because all you do is tick the boxes saying that you don't suffer from this or that.
I think we should have to have a doctor's certificate saying we are fit to drive.My husband is 85 and voluntarily stopped driving about 10 years ago because he wasn't confident any more.
I'm 76 and still drive well, but I hope I will know if and when I become a danger to others and myself.
1 person likes this
@mypointsju (583)
• Westland, Michigan
7 Apr 16
Every 4 years in the State of Michigan in USA, but for that, I believe (I could be wrong), you just have to take a written tests.
1 person likes this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
6 Apr 16
I am in full agreement with you @mypointsju . Not only written, but driving test. As we age our reaction times slow down and people are easily distracted. Although I know a hell of a lot of people younger than 50 that should have their licenses taken away too.
1 person likes this
@mypointsju (583)
• Westland, Michigan
7 Apr 16
Ohh I agree and yes I have seen the stupid drivers that are younger and I have seen great older drivers. Just a simple road test for older people would make me happier.
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29820)
• Momence, Illinois
6 Apr 16
My husband had to stop his dad from driving. He refused and was upset with my husband. So while my father in law didn't know it he too the distributor cap off the car and the car wouldn't start. My father in law asked my husband to fix the car but my hubby pretended he couldn't fix it and my father in law didn't have the money to get it fixed. So eventually he quit asking to get it fixed. He never drove again. Problem solved.
@fishtiger58 (29820)
• Momence, Illinois
7 Apr 16
@mypointsju It worked for us, my father in law had no clue my husband made the car not work.
@miniam (9154)
• Bern, Switzerland
7 Apr 16
@mypointsju
Ask around,there might ¨be driving test for seniors
@mypointsju (583)
• Westland, Michigan
7 Apr 16
I never heard at least in Michigan a mandatory driving tests, but that would be great. I like one idea to video tape him and then show him his driving habits. Maybe that would help.
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
6 Apr 16
Have him take the AARP driving course. Not sure of the name of it. Often times it is offered for a nominal fee through the DMV.
I have had a few clients that insisted on driving. I became concerned and explained that it was not their driving ability I was concerned about, it was their reaction time and the fact that others don't drive as slowly and would cause them a great deal of harm physically if they were to get into an accident.
@mypointsju (583)
• Westland, Michigan
6 Apr 16
I think that would be a good approach for my father. I just wish there was an age mandate to have an actual driving test. If he passed, great, if not then I do not want him on the road.
The reason why I state a driving test versus a written test is my dad for sure still has the smarts and could easily pass the quiz. Reaction time yes is a huge factor.
1 person likes this
@dodo19 (47336)
• Beaconsfield, Quebec
6 Apr 16
I think that if he's struggling, then he may have to stop driving. It's for his safety, as well as the safety of others. Granted, each person is different. There may be some people your dad's age, who may be able to drive with little to no problems. However, for some, like your dad, it may just be best for them to stop, as difficult as it may be.
@marguicha (223776)
• Chile
6 Apr 16
It depends. My 93 year old aunt still drines although she does it at daytime and only to the supermarket and the like. I, on the other hand, decided to sell my car because I don´t trust much my eyes anymore.
@Butchcass4 (5895)
• United States
23 Jun 16
I totally agree with you that at certain ages there should be tests done to determine if they are still safe to drive. This is a very serious matter and one that needs to be addressed asap as I've seen the elderly driving and they are dangerous to say the least. I'm sure some of them can drive ok but there are those who can't and shouldn't be on the road. I encourage family members that have an elderly person driving to keep a close eye on them and if your concerned talk to them about it before they or someone else gets seriously hurt or God forbid killed!
@cacay1 (83577)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
6 Apr 16
I think age does not matter in driving as long as the drier has a good eye site. Why I say so because when I was in New Zealand as a visitor there, I met a man 94, years old and he could still drive. I met him in pack and save Shopping center,he is a huge man.There are many there still driving at ages 90, 85, and others.Just have a slower speed.
@cacay1 (83577)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
7 Apr 16
@mypointsju That would be nice to avoid problems.
@mypointsju (583)
• Westland, Michigan
7 Apr 16
There are a lot of 90 years olds that can drive safely. All I am saying is after a certain age, there should be a road test. If you pass, keep on driving, if you fail, then you hang your keys up.
1 person likes this
@AnneEJ (4917)
• Dollard-Des-Ormeaux, Quebec
6 Apr 16
I think it depends on the person. Some older people are very good drivers, others not so much. Here we have to get a Doctor's and Optometrist's form filled out when we turn 75 and again at 80. In some provinces, you have to do a written test at 80 and if you fail it, you have to take a road test. I would hope that when I don't feel secure about my driving, I will have sense enough to quit.
@mypointsju (583)
• Westland, Michigan
7 Apr 16
I think he could get a doctor to pass him and his eyes are OK. For sure he would pass the written test, but the road test I think he would not do that well. I hope when I am that age I realize that I should not be on the road. We do not have any kids to tell us that our driving is bad.
1 person likes this
@Ladypeace (2028)
• Singapore
6 Apr 16
If I were old and received feedback from people that I should stop driving because I'm missing out on safety, I would be glad to stop.
@mypointsju (583)
• Westland, Michigan
7 Apr 16
I think some people would be that way. After my mom passed away, my dad still drives from Michigan to Florida (that is a long ways) to stay in Florida for 3 Months of the year. I think (I do not know for sure) would fight it and say, but I then can't get down to Florida, etc. and I enjoy that.
1 person likes this
@beatrizguiselle (1118)
• Spain
6 Apr 16
I believe every person is different, there are young people or people of mid age (40-50) that should not be driving, yet older people drive more responsibly.
It is a fact that with age coordination and reaction speed are not the same. I am a strong believer that anyone above 60 should get tested most often instead of every X years.
@epiffanie (11326)
• Australia
6 Apr 16
Yes it depends on how confident the driver is..My father in law drove until he was 87 .. some elderly people can still drive confidently at 93 .. I am 60 and I hate driving so I avoid driving as much as possible. I still renewed my drivers' licence though for another ten years .. But I think I won't renew after the ten years ..
@Macarrosel (7498)
• Philippines
6 Apr 16
In that case maybe there should be a mandatory rule so that accident will be avoided for those old persons.
@Morleyhunt (21744)
• Canada
6 Apr 16
In Canada there is a re test that is mandated as a certain age. Unfortunately it only eliminates a few of the inept elderly drivers.
