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An Aging Population and Tougher Driver Licensing Laws
Two years ago, a young cyclist in Ohio was killed by an 83-year-old driver whose family believes should never have been behind the wheel. This family is pushing for tougher licensing standards for elderly drivers in Ohio.
November 19, 2011 /Government PR News/ -- Two years ago, a young cyclist in Ohio was killed by an 83-year-old driver whose family believes should never have been behind the wheel. This family is pushing for tougher licensing standards for elderly drivers in Ohio.
Growing numbers of Elderly Drivers
In the United States, there is a steady increase in the number of elderly people in the population, which means the number of elderly drivers is also on the rise. This increase is also reflected in Ohio. Since 2000, the number of elderly drivers has increased by more than 89% in Montgomery, Miami, Greene, Butler and Warren counties, which are the counties that house cities such as Dayton and Lebanon.
According to studies, young drivers and senior citizens have the highest number of car accidents. For young drivers, the reason may be inexperience or distracted driving, such as texting while driving or talking to friends while driving. For older drivers, the cause can be related to their cognitive ability or memory. For example, a significant danger for older drivers is the difficulty in making left turns, which requires attention, memory and decision-making skills. Ohio state troopers have reported an overall increase in the number of car accidents caused by elderly drivers.
Driving Restrictions
Even though it is clear that the number of elderly people in the United States and in Ohio is increasing, whether or not the traffic laws and licensing laws should change is up for debate. Ohio does not currently have any laws in place that restrict elderly drivers.
Some other states, such as Illinois, Texas and Massachusetts have implemented stricter procedures for approving drivers licenses for elderly people. These include requiring medical reports and road tests before granting a license. Another technique is to shorten the duration of an elderly driver's license. This requires the driver to get the license renewed more frequently so that a judgment can be made about the person's continuing ability to drive.
If the implementation of new licensing restrictions on senior citizens is something necessary for the safety of the roads, it should be handled carefully. As seniors age, they are often forced to sacrifice much of their independence and instead rely on others to assist them. Putting driver's license restrictions on this population may further take away their independence and cause them distress. The goal is to make the roads safe for everyone.
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