Imagine having a loved one get in a fatal car accident caused by another driver. Elderly drivers are an extreme priority in America today. Not only are elders challenged with psychological damage, but they also struggle with the physical effects people face as they grow older. A debated topic going on is whether or not elderly drivers should be required to reapply for their drivers licenses. However, it is evident elderly people should be required with their struggle of vision, hearing, and reaction time. It is very clear why the eyes are an essential part of being able to drive. Having good eyesight makes the driver aware of others actions, signs, and lights. Unfortunately, as people grow older not only are they more prone to blindness,
Indeed, healthy eyes are always required while you are required while you are driving. Especially, when you are driving on the night, healthy eyes will help you to see more clearly and drive carefully. In the article, the author mentioned that she was uncertain the signals and slowed down when she noticed that there is a problem with her eyes. Yes, eye problems could cause several negative influences, such as, car
Your senior loved one should not be driving if they have not had their eyes checked in the last two years. You should also make certain that the windows and mirrors in the vehicles are kept clean to insure they can see properly out of them. If you notice any hearing difficulties, address this with your senior loved one so they can make sure they can hear well enough to respond when driving.
Summary: The central focus of Pollastek et al’s (2012) study was to determine why elderly drivers are more likely to be involved in vehicular accidents at intersections than younger experienced drivers. As a means of data collection Pollastek et al (2012) tested the scanning ability of elderly drivers at intersections through a series of different scenarios. Each scenario took place in a simulated environment, testing the scanning ability of elderly drivers where they were instructed to go through 1) a four-way intersection, 2) turn right at a T-intersection and 3) proceed through an intersection. Pollastek et al (2012) found that elderly drivers fail to properly scan for potential hazards while proceeding through intersections. Pollastek et al (2012) also found that by providing video feedback the participants in the training group performed similarly to younger experienced drivers.
Visually impaired people who are categorically denied licensure in many jurisdictions are those with homonymous hemianopia or quadrantanopia. Ophthalmologists and neurologists commonly recommend driving cessation for their patients diagnosed with these conditions. Homonymous hemianopia or quadrantanopia are relatively common consequences of brain injury. Preventing a person from driving has potentially serious consequences for quality of life in that it has been linked to depression, social isolation, employment challenges and increased placement in long-term care. It is important for policies that deny licensure be evidence-based. Few previous studies have examined the impact of heminopia and quadrantanopia on driver performance. Up to two-thirds
Once people reach a certain age their health starts to degrade. It is more severe with some people than with others because it can faster to some people and slower to others. This severely affects a person’s driving capabilities. You need to have keen vision to spot hazards on the road.
“In the hands of an impaired driver, a vehicle becomes a murderous weapon.” ( ) Everyone can think of someone who has driven impaired, or even maybe you have done it yourself. The fact that one can think of someone who has driven impaired is a problem. Too many people are getting behind the wheel after drinking, smoking; or are not paying attention while they drive. Impaired driving continues to a problem although strides have been made to make a difference. There are many different types of impaired driving, each that have their own consequences. These types, and consequences will be explored in this essay.
why an annual mandatory driving and written test will separate those who can and can not operate a vehicle safely. These tests should be mandatory over a certain age. The driving test is important to better access relexes and other senses while the written test may seperate those who maintained psychical abilites yet lack in other ability such as memory and if raod signs and rules of the road are still familior. According to Alzheimer 's Society many indivduals with dementia may still be able to drive for some time until their dementia progresses. Part of the problem is that many older drivers feel that driving is a largely automatic activity and should be able to continue. The Alzheimer 's Society also states that many with dementia retain their learned skills even after being diagnosed, and that "driving is a complicated task that requires a split-second combination of complex thought processes and manual skills, such as “make sense of and respond to everything they see – including road signs and obstacles” ( Alzheimers Society)
This will guarantee that all individuals are driving securely and submitting to the traffic laws. I've seen excessively numerous elderly individual’s relatives, family, and friends who are losing their vision/hearing or can't see around evening time, yet they keep on driving as though nothing has changed. To the extent I know, having Alzheimer’s or dementia doesn't influence your driver's permit in the US, however I believe it's an exceptionally perilous benefit to keep up for those sorts of individuals. I'd say the more than a half of elder established individuals who keep on driving can do in this way, yet re-tests ought to be compulsory and executed at a particular age to test for mental mindfulness (both about road laws and potential circumstances) and physical response time to work a 2000-pound object that could go to more a 100 mph. In the event that messaging or holding a wireless while driving is illicit in a few states, so ought to drive without having the greater part of your faculties in place(Debate.org, 2013).
The loss of physical strength makes it difficult to maneuver a motor vehicle. A Driver is required to use necessary body parts such as their head and neck to check for blind spots before changing lanes and their hands and arms to grip the steering wheel. Elderly driver’s reflexes are much slower than when they were younger. Their response time to traffic signals, reacting to unexpected pedestrians and other motorists moving in front of them is slower.
Many concerns have been expressed about the potential dangers elderly drivers present when operating a vehicle. Mental and physical capabilities begin to decline as a person ages. When their health deteriorates, the well being of other individuals on the road is at stake. Many elderly drivers should not drive due to their medical history and the fact that they might suffer from possible side effects from taking multiple prescription medicines. In addition, local organizations and neighbors can provide transportation for the elderly to keep them from endangering themselves and others. The threat senior citizens create when driving can be avoided if they are tested to ensure their competence as a driver.
Lees et al. (2007) asked the participants to verbally express what they saw in terms of landmarks (e.g restaurants). While the participants explained the landmarks, the experimenter assessed all the driving faults that occurred and tallied the number of correct landmarks that were acknowledged (Lees et al., 2007). Without being biased towards elderly drivers, Lees et al. (2007) found a common factor. It was not so much that older people could not detect change; it was the speed to which they could react to it (Lees et al., 2007). It seemed as though elders are cognitively busy both assessing the change and deciding what to in regards to it. Lees et al. (2007) acknowledged that people of all ages are susceptible to traffic crashes and proposed that people be aware of the need of attention in driving. Lees et al. (2007) also explained that when researching on different ages, specific stimuli may be considered more attractive to one individual more so than the other.
While my Granny’s passengers knew about her ineptitude for driving, other drivers were unaware of the danger passing them by. Individuals over 85, who drive, have a four times higher fatality rate than teenagers (Landphair). There are many news stories regarding elderly people who have caused numerous deaths by simply confusing the gas and brake pedals (Landphair). Some contribute these accidents to a decline in vision and cognitive functioning, two factors essential to safe driving. Studies have also shown that if older individuals are under pressure, they tend to make more driving errors than teens (Charles).
Everyday people pull out of their drive way entering a world full of aggressive, distracted, and boneheaded drivers. Unfortunately, as people age what goes along with age is some of the reactions and common sense, also as a person who has been disabled can have poor driving skills and can be a threat to themselves as well as the others around them. The problem of elderly driving should be considered a community problem because of the large amount of elderly people in the area of Northern Orange County. When used incorrectly a car can become a weapon and when put into the hands of someone who is not in the right state of mind or should not be operating a vehicle the car and the operator can easily take several lives in a single moment. The problem of elderly driving in the community of Northern Orange county should be solved by forcing a second written and behind the wheel test when the person reaches the age of 70.
Senior citizens need to be retested for their drivers license. “... we also believe elderly drivers with diminished vision and hearing, as well as slower reflexes, pose a greater danger to society as a whole (Should elderly drivers be retested?).” When the elderly looks at a
“An eighty-six year old man killed ten people and injured more than seventy when he drove his Buick into a crowded farmers market in California. In Florida, an eighty-four year old woman drove her car through a window of a Sears and into a cash register and employee” (Murphy). Sadly enough, instances like these are becoming more and more prevalent and require immediate action. It is imperative that a more comprehensive approach be taken when deciding the competence of elderly drivers. Laws must be put into action to mandate and administer testing and re-examining of the skills and eligibility of this group. Equally important, we must consider those who will no longer be able to drive, and ensure their transportation and occupational needs