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Determining When Someone is Too Old to Drive

The title to this article is somewhat misleading in that there is no particular age when someone is too old to drive. A person needs to stop driving when they no longer possess the ability to safely do so. This occurs at many different ages and is in direct relation to the general health of each individual. To determine when someone is no longer capable of driving, you must identify each specific skill necessary to drive safely and rate the individual in question for each one. Here is a list of some of the skills needed for driving.

Eyesight. This is obviously a necessity. If you cannot see you cannot drive. Partial loss of vision will make it much harder to judge distance and speed. It can also lead to missing another car's presence altogether. Most of the time, the state will catch this deficiency during a license renewal as the driver will not be able to pass the eye test. Sometimes however, eyesight may deteriorate too quickly between renewals and must be monitored more often.

Reflexes. Once a person sees a hazard they must be able to act accordingly to avoid it. As we age our reflexes slow down. Older drivers should be checked for reaction time and their reflexes must be fast enough to avoid other vehicles which may cross their path. If they cannot react within one or two seconds, they should not be driving.

Attention span. As we age we begin to lose the ability to concentrate. A driver must be able to keep his or her attention on the road. If a driver's mind begins to wander while behind the wheel, the consequences could be deadly. Some people even have lapses where they forget where they are and what they are doing. These people should not be driving.

Physical capability. When evaluating drivers we must ask: Are they physically capable of handling a vehicle? If they cannot turn the wheel or lift their leg to press the brake pedal, they are simply physically unable to drive. If they cannot turn their head in all directions they will not be able to view all the possible hazards necessary for safe vehicle operation.

A combination of the above. What occurs with most drivers as they age is not a total breakdown of one of the above conditions but a slow deterioration of several. To properly evaluate a driver you must learn the amount of degradation in each area and then determine if they collectively sum up to the unsafe operation of a vehicle.

Many people who have been driving for years will come to a realization on their own when it is time to stop. This usually happens after a few close calls when they fail to drive properly and other vehicles have to maneuver around them to avoid an accident. Unfortunately, if the other driver isn't paying attention there will be an accident. Some older drivers have ended their driving career, and life, this way.

If you know someone who is losing the ability to drive, gently point out a few of their mistakes and drop a few hints that maybe it's time to quit. Be kind and understanding. Someone who has driven their entire life may not be prepared to easily give up this great freedom. Put yourself in their shoes. Help them to come to the realization that they have the right to drive, but they do not have the right to endanger others if they no longer can accomplish it safely.

Learn more about this author, James Dreamer.
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