Disclaimer: The views shared in this article are solely those of the author and do not represent DailySpire.
I understand that taking away someone’s driver’s license also removes their freedom, but if it’s for their safety and the safety of others, then it shouldn’t even be a debate.
According to the CDC, in 2020 almost 48 million individuals aged 65 and older had a driver’s license, which is a 68% increase since 2000. And as older folks keep staying healthy, that number will likely keep growing.
While seniors aren’t usually the ones most likely to cause accidents – it’s mainly those under 40 – people over 65 are more prone to getting into crashes due to various age-related issues. In 2020, nearly 7,500 older adults lost their lives in accidents and around 200,000 were treated in hospitals for injuries.
Right now there isn’t any federal law saying when certain age groups should stop driving. I don’t think we need an actual law for this. But I do believe we should rethink what happens when someone turns 70; they can still legally drive according to the law.
When it comes to renewing licenses, every state has its own rules.
As per the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety data from 2020, there are currently twenty-one states with shorter renewal periods based on how old drivers are. For instance, Florida has an eight-year standard renewal period but once drivers hit eighty years old they must renew every six years. Maine allows drivers under sixty-five to renew every six years while those over sixty-five have to renew every four years.
Aside from renewal periods we also need talk about vision tests and road tests.
As of now only four states require older drivers take visual acuity tests after reaching a certain age. The other states either have minimum requirements for all ages without on-site testing or require everyone regardless of age take a visual test during their in-person renewal process.
All states should make sure everyone takes a visual acuity test either during an in-person license renewal or if they can renew online or by mail; they should submit results from recent eye exams instead!
The most concerning part is that just one state requires people above a specific age retake road tests before renewing licenses! However this might change soon as an Illinois legislator wants to remove road test requirements for those over seventy-five years old in his state!
Some say it’s unfair towards seniors while others argue that people with traffic violations need retesting more than elderly drivers do!
Regularly retesting senior drivers can help spot any problems they may face while driving so necessary changes can be made allowing them stay safe on roads!
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) mentions that although strength thinking skills and eyesight may decline with aging getting older doesn’t mean someone can’t drive safely! Since one person’s abilities might remain sharp while another’s fade there shouldn’t be an age limit on driving—just laws requiring certain aged individuals retake road tests!
