by Dawn Taylor

Created on: March 27, 2008   Last Updated: April 11, 2011

There should be no question that the elderly should be retested on their driving on a regular basis. I lived in Florida, the retirement capitol, for over 20 years. We were used to "Snowbird season" and an ever-growing population of elderly that relocated to our state each year. Florida, like other states, would release their annual traffic reports. And each year the elderly topped the list of traffic accidents.

Several factors influence why the elderly should be retested. Take into account the rising number of elderly being diagnosed each year with illnesses such as Alzheimer's disease, dementia, neuropathies (which effect motor function), etc. As the "youth" of this country we tend to jest about "the first thing to go" when we age. Truthfully, the first thing to go is your judgment.

If we blur everything else and just focus on "judgment," then let's look at some external factors that add to this problem: construction, teen drivers, drunk drivers, road rage drivers, and distracted drivers. So what does judgment have to do with it? The driver's judgment determines how fast or slow, when to stop and when to swerve - all of this while taking into account who's in the next lane, how close is the guy driving behind me, and can I make the light. If these actions are determined at the last minute, because of delayed judgment, then we may end up in an accident.

If these facts and figures don't convince you, maybe this will. I was at the Driver's License Bureau getting my address changed since we had moved. While waiting what seemed like forever, three older people walked in the door. Two women that looked to be in their 50s were on each arm of a gentleman on oxygen that looked to be in his late 70s, helping him in the door. Because they had an appointment they went ahead of me, and I watched in shock as, not the women, but the gentleman was there for a renewal of his license. This man could barely walk on his own. He went to the counter for the eye exam and he kept failing it over and over again. Finally he got it right. Then after a few questions to confirm his personal information was up-to-date, he was issued a renewed driver's license. I left right behind him and I waited and watched as he pulled out of his parking spot with great difficulty. I wanted to walk back into the office and cause a scene. I have elderly people in my family and I love them; but I don't want them behind the wheel of a car.

I understand that this is a freedom, an independence that people don't want to lose. They think that the cost of alternate transportation will outweigh the cost of their cars and expenses that come with them. Actually, more and more communities provide free transportation for the elderly to doctor appointments, grocery stores, community activities, etc. It helps to make our streets safer by increased testing.

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