The Crittenden Automotive Library

Should There Be An Age Limit On Driving?

Should There Be An Age Limit On Driving?

Lucy Wyndham
1 February 2018

Photo by Abi Ismail

By 2030, it’s estimated that between 85 and 90% of Americans aged over 65 will hold a driving license. Despite varying health problems, it’s not the elderly who pose the biggest threat on the road, instead it’s teens, aged 16-19 years of age, who have the highest prevalence of road traffic accidents than any other age group. However, the elderly continue to carry the stigma of being bad drivers who are too old to drive. So, do senior citizens really pose such a great risk on America’s roads?

The law

Different states across America have different regulations in place regarding the age a driver’s license expires at and its renewal process. The law across the country varies so much, with some drivers having to have medical certification, eye tests and written exams to receive a new license. Whereas, other states are much more lenient on the terms of renewal.

Pros and cons

For many seniors being able to drive gives them a sense of freedom and allows them to maintain their independence. Many elders require their vehicle to get out and about, to visit friends and to obtain groceries, and while they are physically capable of completing these tasks themselves, should there really be so much pressure on them to give up their keys?

Additionally, elderly drivers have more driving experience, are less likely to drink and drive and are more prone to following the laws of the road, including sticking to the speed limit - a major cause of road traffic collisions and fatalities in the US.

With the pros come the cons. It’s inevitable that as individuals age, their reaction times slow down, their eyesight decreases and their overall health may be impaired. However, it’s unfair to tarnish all seniors with the same brush as there are some 80 year olds who age better than some 60 year olds.

Staying safe

Ultimately, giving up their license is a decision that only an individual can make. However, family members should also be on the lookout for signs that their elderly relative is nearing the end of their driving life and politely and delicately pitch the idea of quitting to them. As with motor racing, there are signs that it’s time to cease driving, such as frequently getting lost in well known areas, having close calls with other road users or objects on the road and struggling to see or read road signs.

There is no right or wrong age for a senior to hang up their keys and surrender their license. Each individual will have different health and reasons to call it quits depending on what stage of life they are at.