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If we maximized the age limit for driving in the United States, there would be a lot of perfectly capable people that couldn't drive. Age certainly hinders a persons abilities, but not everyone ages in the same way. People live their lives differently, providing different ailments for the future.

There are people in their eighties that are more physically active and in better shape than some people who are only in their sixties. I once worked for an extremely lively lady, she was fun and always active. If you would have asked me her age, I certainly never would have guessed she was almost eighty years old..in fact, I thought she was joking when she told me.

I definately know how annoying it is, when you are on your way to work or running extremely late for an important event - wondering how you will EVER make it on time - and suddenly you are nearly stopped in your tracks by old folks out for a cruise. Sometimes they are just going the speed limit, some a little - or a lot- under. Nonetheless, it is extremely frustrating.

But when you really think about it, it's not really wrong for someone to gawk at the world around them, maybe they just like to take the time to admire what most people don't even take the time to experience any more. I like to go on back country drives and just check out the scenery or stare in awe at a rainbow, it's really peaceful and honestly, sometimes breathtaking. Obviously i'm courteous enough to keep things moving when I see someone coming up behind me.

Maybe some of the problem is the fact that we are always rushed. Maybe we underestimated the amount of time it would take to get to our destination, or maybe you ran into unexpected traffic. It could also just be that you are a temperamental driver.

For the older drivers that are causing accidents, they happen. Depending on the circumstances, I don't think they should be treated any differently than anyone else. Now, if it was something ridiculous and preventable, they have done it more than once, or they can't function normally in other areas in their lives, of people should definately consider taking their liscense.

I don't really propose waiting until something starts to happen either, certainly nothing serious. So I would suggest that once you hit a certain age, you are required to re-take driving tests on a regular basis..instead of renewal. Monitor them, if they passed but didn't do so great, schedule them to take another test after a certain period of time.

In addition to that, family and friends should be paying attention to their loved ones. If they don't seem capable of driving, suggest that it might be time for them to hand in their keys.

It just wouldn't be fair to punish and hinder someone else if it isn't necessary.

Learn more about this author, Shawna Wilkins.
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