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There should not be a mandatory age when a person must cease to drive! With our advances in technology and medicine we no longer have to rely strictly on the results of a motor vehicles drive test.

I am 71 and approaching the age when many people would like to see me quit driving. However, in my 56 years of driving, I have had only one small fender scrape, and that many years ago. I have had a few speeding tickets over the years, but who hasn't? I believe my driving meets and exceeds the standards most public drive testing courses demand.

First of all, I am very careful about how I feel behind the wheel. If I tire, I quit driving and turn the wheel over to the spouse. I try to not drive at night, simply because older persons do not see as well at night as they did 10-15yrs prior. I try to drive in areas where I am most familiar with the roads and usual traffic conditions. When people driving near me start doing things I don't approve of, I simply slow down and let them get away from me. This avoids "road rage" on both parts.

I would give up my drivers license in a minute if my physician examined me and concluded that I could not control a vehicle on the highways in a safe and sane manner. However, if the state motor vehicles determines that I am too old or they need medical information, they send me to a physician I don't know. This physician tries to assimilate the facts from a one time examination and make a judgment on my skills. They rarely contact my/your attending physician to get the long term history necessary to buttress such an opinion. I believe that most states have constructed ridiculous standards for vision and hearing. A physicians panel should be used to construct what is a reasonable level of vision and hearing skills.

Limited licenses could be granted to the elderly so they can continue vital functions, like shopping, attending church, visiting close friends, medical appoints, etc. We have been granting limited driving licenses to drunk drivers, and other persons who had their privilege suspended, for many years. These licenses allowed the individuals to follow a designated route to and from work.

There are many situations requiring transportation that simply must be filled by someone if the elderly are not allowed to drive. Most elderly do not have the resources to "hire" a driver on demand for specific jobs. In todays society often close relatives who could fill in for the elderly live too far away or have a schedule that makes it very inconvenient for them to help elderly relatives. How are we to fill these - that's the subject for another article!

Should there be a maximum age for driving? I think there already is an age when one should quit driving - when you are no longer safe on the road. I know people much younger than I who are not safe. I think I am a safe driver. I have several friends who are older than I am who drive very well and are not a danger to themselves or others. The key question in this situation is how do we know when a drivers license should be suspended. Again, a return to the safe and sane driving rule must be adhered to. This is the most painful way of doing business in this very ticklish area, but the fairest.

Learn more about this author, Fred Tolleson.
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