Written by Miranda Jiang
It’s time to think about making it mandatory for anyone over 60 with health conditions that limit their ability to drive to retake the test every two years or if they receive a new diagnosis that could affect their cognitive or mobility abilities.
People’s health frequently changes as they become older, which may affect their capacity to drive safely. Older folks may find it more difficult to traverse the roadways due to medical concerns including arthritis, eyesight issues, or mental deterioration. This tiny action could prevent fatalities, lower the number of collisions, and guarantee that senior drivers only operate a vehicle when they are physically able to do so.
Health issues that impair driving skills are increasingly common in older persons. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) state that diseases like arthritis can make it difficult for a person to brake or turn the steering wheel. While intellectual deterioration from diseases like Alzheimer’s disease might make it difficult to respond swiftly to unexpected situations, vision issues like cataracts can impair a driver’s ability to see well. Slower reaction times, a diminished awareness of one’s surroundings, and trouble making snap decisions are all consequences of these health issues that can cause accidents.
However, why begin at age 60? According to research, cognitive deterioration frequently starts at this age. According to a Nature article, almost everyone’s cognitive abilities, particularly memory, deteriorate around the age of sixty.
Physical decline also begins at this age, according to AARP, with declines in strength and walking speed noted between the ages of 60 and 79. According to the CDC, drivers over 70 are more likely to be involved in collisions than middle-aged drivers.
60 is a suitable cutoff point for retesting because, according to the CDC and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), age-related changes might impact a person’s driving abilities.
Certain states in the US have already imposed regulations on senior drivers, like vision exams at the time of license renewal. For example, Progressive claims that every six years, drivers over 80 must renew their licenses in person and have their vision examined. Though they are a positive step, eye exams do not address other medical issues that may impair a person’s ability to drive. To solve this problem, it is crucial to retake the driving exam.
A thorough retest would assess physical and cognitive capacities in addition to vision, providing a more complete picture of an elderly driver’s ability to drive safely.
The problem of elderly drivers has also been addressed in other nations. According to a University of Tsukuba article, in order to verify that drivers over 75 can drive safely, Japan mandates that they take a driving test every three years. There is, however, little proof that this approach has led to a notable decrease in accidents. This could be as a result of the exams not being designed especially for those with certain medical conditions, but rather being mandatory for all senior drivers. Japan’s strategy might work better if it concentrated more on drivers with medical issues that affect their ability to drive.
Retest regulations in the US should focus on people who already have health conditions that affect their ability to drive. A person with Parkinson’s disease or a history of strokes, for instance, may have erratic symptoms that impair their ability to drive. A retest would assist them in identifying when their skills are no longer appropriate for safe driving and help them avoid endangering others or oneself.
Retest opponents may claim that it would be unduly burdensome or discriminating for senior drivers. This perspective, however, ignores the possible safety advantages. Retests would shield other road users from collisions caused by drivers who are no longer fit to drive, in addition to protecting senior drivers from harm. A lot of senior citizens would also value the chance to determine if they can still drive safely.
Seniors who are unable to drive can choose from a variety of transportation options in Pennsylvania. Seniors can receive substantial assistance from public transportation, including free or reduced fares. Seniors 65 and older who have a valid Senior Transit ID card are eligible for free bus travel under the Senior Citizens Free Ride Program, according to State Regs Today and Barta Bus. There are also services like the Senior Shared Ride Program that provide elders with inexpensive transportation to important locations like doctor’s appointments.
For people who would rather use ride-sharing services than public transportation, State Regs Today also highlights services like Uber and Lyft, which offer door-to-door transportation. Together with neighborhood projects, these options support seniors in preserving their independence while guaranteeing their safety while driving.
Miranda Jiang lives in Lower Paxton and attends Dauphin County Technical School.
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