Some statistics to consider:
- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported in 2006 (when the last data was computed), there were about 30 million elderly drivers in America
- In 2006, nearly 6,000 elderly people were killed in road accidents
- By 2030, the elderly would make up about 25% of the total driving population and they will be involved in nearly 25% of fatal vehicular accidents
With those huge figures at a national level, Florida should take as many preventive measures possible to decrease the likelihood of driving fatalities resulting from elders over the age of 65. I don't believe Florida's requirement for drivers 80 and older to pass a vision test is enough. The age requirement for an annual vision exam should start at 65. Florida's current requirement resulted in a 7% loss of a license for elderly drivers seeking renewal. While about 20% of those over 80 years old gave up driving because they did not think they could pass the vision test.
When I was a teen driver, my parents limited my driving to certain places because I did not have the experience and maturity of adult drivers. It's ironic how elder drivers have experienced so much from years behind the wheel but due to the aging process their abilities have greatly declined. Diminishing visual acuity, reflexes, and memory are just a few examples of what make driving harder for elders.
If Florida adopts mandatory testing for drivers over 65, our roads will be safer and we will be more prepared to handle the baby boomer generation when all of them are at least 65 years old in 2030. Prevention is key and it should not take a horrific accident for state legislatures to put something into action.
Resources:
http://www.babyboomercaretaker.com/Law?Elderly-Driving-Statistics.html
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-05-02-older-drivers-usa1a_N.htm
