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When I get to the point where I've shrunk so much that I can't see over the steering wheel and I'm driving five miles an hour slower than everybody else, please take my keys away.
Consumer Reports published an analysis this week of the problems and issues facing older drivers. It said, "People 80 and older are involved in 5.5 times as many fatal crashes per mile driven as middle-aged drivers," and says asking older people to give up their keys is a sensitive issue.
In my neighborhood, it certainly is. There is no public transportation. Without a car, you're stuck. The 90-year-old woman who lives around the corner from me still drives her 20-year-old Crown Vic to the library and to get her hair done. The car is enormous; there isn't much traffic; and she's pretty sharp. But the one and only time I ever rode with her, she put a big scratch on the fender pulling out of the garage, and that made me wonder.
If you live in a neighborhood like mine, figuring out transportation solutions should be part of your retirement planning. Consumer Reports recommends that older people who are continuing to drive into retirement should buy a vehicle that accommodates their special needs.
These accommodations include easy access, good visibility, adjustable driving positions, straightforward access to controls, and some sort of electronic stability feature. It suggests these vehicle models -- new and used -- as cars that best meet these demands. The cars are listed in alphabetical order.
- Acura RDX (2013).
- Ford Taurus (2008-2009).
- Honda: Accord V6 (2006-2007), Accord (2008-2012).
- Hyundai: Azera (2006-2011), Genesis (2009-2012).
- Infiniti M (2006-2010).
- Lexus RX (2006-2009).
- Mercury Sable (2008-2009).
- Nissan Altima (2010-2012).
- Subaru: Impreza (2012), Legacy (2010-2013), Outback (2010-2013), Forester (2009-2012).
- Toyota: Avalon (2005-2012), Camry (2007-2012), Highlander (2004-2012), RAV4 (2006-2012).
- Volkswagen Tiguan (2009-2012).
None of these vehicles are very sexy, but I suppose it is better to be safe than sorry.
My 86 year old mom drives a Jaguar XJ saloon. Three hundred horsepower V8.
I understand I am supposed to get it when she dies...hopefully a long time off.
Long live The Little Old Lady From Pasadena! (Actually, Wisconsin.)
"Old Person"....did you "new" what you were doing in spelling class too?
Any age driver today is a distraction & potential killer. Ever see that 20/30/40/50 old driving and talking on a phone or texting a response!
Most of the vehicles listed are too low to the ground. You need to be a contortionist to enter and leave them
It's easy to condemn older drivers,...NOW. But when we are in our 70's and 80's,...or 90's.....will WE be willing to give up our ability to be mobile, and get groceries, and run errands? Face it, the Bus System stinks. Not only is it unsafe,...try carrying 4 bags of groceries on a Bus. We are a Mobile Society. No one wants to sit home, waiting for someone to visit, or drive you around. Not everyone has that option. But there SHOULD be a driving test (simulated) for elderly drivers that are cited for driving erratically. And NIGHT or EVENING driving should be STRONGLY Discouraged with drivers over 75. Elderly drivers often mistake the Gas for the Brake when they panic. And their Judgement and Vision are greatly reduced as Seniors. You wouldn't trust these people to perform Surgery on you, so how can you trust them to make safe driving decisions on roads whose traffic conditions are constantly changing. But to take their driving privelages away is too harsh. And frequent testing, is too intrusive and discriminatory. What is the answer? I suggest a Utopian Senior Community in every city, that supplies transportation for members, and has a supermarket and shops that are Powerchair and Electric cart accessible. Complete with Medical Facilities. No Fulltime Visiting Children, or live-in visiting relatives or friends that are NOT of permissable age. No Exceptions. A Gated Utopian Senior Community, with Armed Security, and Parks and Walkways, and Recreational Facilities. No Vouchers accepted for admission. Just to keep out the Riff-raff.
We old people got to be old because we new what we doing.
Driving or just getting around for the older drivers is a serious problem. Not just for the older driver but for the safety of the public in general.There has been people walking down the side walk or sitting on a park bench that have been killed by an older driver who lost control of their car. I know of a pregnant women who was in a store shopping for her baby that was coming and she was killed by a older driver who lost control of their car (while parking their car in front of the store they stepped on the gas pedal instead of the brake causing the car to rush forward smashing through the store Killing the lady while she shopped).
On the bottom of your licence it states that driving is a privilage and not a right. Which everyone signs for and agrees to the terms. So if you can't drive your license can and should be taken from you weither you like it or not.For Everyones Safety including your own.
Spelling correction; on second line should be "walking" and smashing through the store "Killing" the lady shopping.
Sorry!
Driving or just getting around for the older drivers is a serious problem. Not just for the older driver but for the safety of the public in general.There has been people wlking down the side walk or sitting on a park bench that have been killed by an older driver who lost control of their car. I know of a pregnant women who was in a store shopping for her baby that was coming and she was killed by a older driver who lost control of their car (while parking their car in front of the store they stepped on the gas pedal instead of the brake causing the car to rush forward smashing through the store liking the lady while she shopped).
On the bottom of your licence it states that driving is a privilage and not a right. Which everyone signs for and agrees to the terms. So if you can't drive your license can and should be taken from you where you like it or not.For Everyones SAftey including your own.