Elder Drivers

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Elder Drivers

Driving is a serious task requiring coordination, good reaction time and a great sense of responsibility. Although senior citizens were at one point capable of all these skills; as times as progressed they have lost ability to do so. Because of diseases such as glaucoma, rheumatoid arthritis, and cataracts the elderly people’s ability to drive have diminished through each passing year. So it goes without saying that Florida should adopt mandatory testing of drivers over the age of 65.

As findings have shown motor vehicles are the leading cause of accidental death among elder aged 65 to 74 and the leading cause for those over 75 years. Having senior citizens on the road incapable of driving causes more unneeded dangers to the road putting themselves as well as others risk. To some degree it is equivalent to having intoxicated drivers on the road. Impairments typically found within the older population are visual, hearing, and mobile which are without a doubt vital skills needed to drive. Chronic conditions like diabetes, and Parkinson’s which causes tremors and slowness in movement can limit mobility. In addition presbycusis, a hearing impairment associated with age can cause older individuals to disregard signals such as honking and emergency sirens.

In addition medical side-effects as a result of combining different medications to treat age associated conditions can cause one to become drowsy and unconsciously lose control of the vehicle. This accompanied with the inability of most to read road markings and signs due to presbyopia and macular degeneration all but strength by decision to test drivers over the age of 65. Additionally the inabilities of the elderly can also be mental as well as. Dementia a serious cognitive disorder affecting memory, attention, and problem solving can alter the perception, mental capacity and leave one unaware of his or her surrounds while driving.

So as you can see there are many conditions and diseases that can limit the older populations’ ability to drive like they once use to. However it is important to keep in mind that not all individuals 65 and older are incapable of driving. These findings can only be applied to a select few. Furthermore testing senior citizens is something that should be done but requiring senior citizens to comply with these test and regulations that threaten their independence which many have strived to achieve is hard to do and we must take their feelings into consideration.