MT Poll: Should Seniors Ever Be Required to Hand Over Their Car Keys for Good?

When it comes to risky drivers, several measures have been taken to educate and restrict teen drivers, and stop distracted drivers from using their cell phones. But has enough been done to assess driving aptitude of the elderly?

Just recently in Los Angeles, a 100-year-old man (going on 101) backed his car into a group of bystanders waiting on a corner near an elementary school, according to the Los Angeles Times. Four children were seriously injured from the mishap, and police are investigating whether the man mistook the accelerator pedal for the brake. Police reported the senior, who has a valid driver’s license and no history of traffic violations, was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol. This sounds all too similar to a July 2003 incident, when an 86-year old man killed 10 people and injured 63 after plowing into a bustling farmers’ market in Santa Monica.

Sobering accidents like these raise an important, and controversial, question: When should elderly drivers give up the keys for good? In California, once a driver turns 70, they are required to pass a vision and written test every five years. Drivers younger than 70 and with clean records, however, are eligible for two automatic license renewals every five years. Giving up the privilege to drive could feel like a loss of freedom, which could be a reason why seniors continue to drive despite red flags like reduced vision and slower response times.

Though adult children of elderly drivers should monitor their parents’ driving ability, do you think a government agency like the DMV should also step in to officially regulate the driving privileges of elderly motorists? Tell us what you think and vote in our poll below.

Source: Los Angeles Times