3 of 16

No

Write now Print Email Article Invite a writer™ Add to Favorites Contact this writer

On what basis would you set the maximum? An arbitrary number like 70? How can you possibly decide what the age should be?

There is no justification for this notion. All you have to do is analyse the accident statistics and compare the proportion of fatal accidents made by drivers in each age group to the number of licensed drivers in that age group and you will come to the conclusion that the best thing to do is to put a ban on driving in one of the much lower age groups rather than banning people above a certain age to drive!

Yes, we have all seen a fragile little old lady in a silly hat peering underneath the steering wheel and failing to look in any other direction while meandering in the traffic and posing a danger to vehicles, pedestrians and any stray pets as well as a few innocent trees. But I bet we have all seen many more young, fit, healthy people careening down the street way over the speed limit, laughing and shouting and making handbrake turns and posing a danger to everybody in the street as well as for a hundred yards on both sides of the street!

Why all this preoccupation with rules and regulations and control? Whatever happened to the free and the pioneering spirit? Not allowed in modern America, I presume. Let the people drive and let them take the consequences, for goodness' sakes. Of course the state has a mandate to protect its citizens but surely that protection can be exercised when it is needed instead of always blanketing everybody with the same unyielding set of bureaucratic one-size-fits-all legislation.

Honestly, there are serious issues that need the attention of legislators. There is a whole book full of traffic, driving and vehicle rules and regulations that is supposed to prevent as far as is humanly possible the occurrence of accidents and fatalities. Would making one more really make an appreciable difference? The 80/20 rule applies as much to accident prevention as it does anywhere else. Diminishing returns normally correlate with increasing costs and in this case the cost will be covered by whom? The taxpayer, of course! The same person who is going to be prevented from driving may have to help foot the bill!

Learn more about this author, Santi Meintjes.
Click here to send author comments or questions.

more options

hide

Add your voice

Know something about Should there be a maximum age limit for driving in the US??
We want to hear your view. Write now!