Should Old People be allowed to drive?

Yes. Why not?
Providing they are safe and capable - that applies to young people too.

William L

should young people b allowed to drive.

Large Rat

Of course, they are the safest drivers, its the under 25s who shouldnt be allowed in anything other than a very low cc car!

Swany

Yes, as long as they are capable. There are many highly astute, fit and capable elderly people. Everyone should know when it's time to stop. There are far more dangerous mad head young drivers on the road that are more likely to kill and maim than elderly drivers who have experience.

$AfriCan AmericaN$ RiCkS! RocKS!

As long as they are healthy people, why not?

Lily beth

yes

Gillygems

If a person is medically fit to drive it doesn't matter what their age is.

As far as they don't have any health problem that makes driving not allowed, I think there is no problem for it. Actually, it makes them feel still useful and able to do things.

deadrat

The question should be, Should any one under 25 be allowed to drive?

roger.williams20@btinternet.com

How do you assess old age? Many older drivers are fine members of the Institute of Advanced Motorists and the majority of older drivers are far more capable than the young drivers who fly around with little sense of responsibility. Of course older people should be allowed to drive but perhaps it would be advisable for them to undergo a very basic driving test once they have arrived at 75 and then on a five yearly basis. Naturally, should they be suffering from an illness or disability that may cause them to be unsafe drivers then I would expect their doctors to advise the licensing authorities. I am more concerned about the younger drivers who drive unsafe cars at reckless speeds and I would certainly suspend them from driving if they break the law.

scuppo

I dont see why not as long as they are capable. My grandad drove until he was 94.

Medion

My my, how the young people would shut anybody over 60 in a box and feed them once a week. It's a known fact that it's the younger people who cause most of the accidents on our roads, whether through drink, drugs or just incompetence. If an older person has all their faculties, I see no reason why they cannot drive way into old age. By old age I mean even into their 80's. I would bet money on a lot of the older people having quicker reflexes than those younger.

808fl

look at the stats

young drivers are more responsible road accidents than older drivers so should all young drivers stop driving dont stereotype all old drivers the same I like to keep up or over the speed limit but still get the BOY RACERS tailgating

karen f

I think you should have to retake your driving test every 5 years which should increase to every 2 years over the age of 65 - keeps everyone safer.

roddy

I am 61 and have been driving since I was 18. During that time I have developed the sense to drive within the capabilities of how far I can see. That is the distance up the road not my physical sight. For instance on a motorway that may be a mile or more and I am aware of all possible dangers in that distance, When approaching parked cars I was taught to look below those cars for feet as there may be a child about to run out. There may be a driver about to open a door. Will a cyclist suddenly swerve around a pothole. Etc etc etc. We used to call this defensive driving. I drive at the speed limit (yes sometimes over it) I am not as impatient as most youngsters. My biggest thought on road problems is that today's cars are too powerful. Who needs to hit 30mph in second gear, or have a car capable of vastly exceeding 70mph? Put this speed into the hands of inexperienced drivers and it is a recipe for disaster. Remember that it is better to be late than dead on time. Having said all that, I do agree that health issues should be properly examined, but at what age does somebody become "incapable"?

Bardic

Please define "Old People". From the juvenile viewpoint of many new "drivers" that would be anyone over 25 . . .

telx100

Yes.

Provided they are psychically fit enough, have good eye sight, mentally capable and familiar with current road traffic laws.

I would include in this proviso all vehicle driver age groups 15 to 75.

onzo

I just passed my test yesterday and will be driving by next week. I am 19 yrs old and older people are much safer than young idiot drivers. I say we all look up to our elders :P

Francis7

Tell the examiners its a silly ageist question,by that context should we fly,have boats or anything,Personally after a heart attack and stroke+bypass I like to throw my Cessna into loops,dives and roles,sail my boat and capsize as many times as possible.SILLY QUESTION.Good luck with your coursework,

BSMGUY

Not knowing how old you are, and not knowing how old should "old people" be it is a hard one.
How about in 40 years time, I turn round to YOU and say, sorry mate you're TOO old to drive, how would you feel.

If you are talking over 70 years old, there might be an argument that you are too old to drive. On the other hand surely 50 - 60 years old is to old to drive also. Sometimes age is not the problem. It is the health of that person. I stopped my father from driving 4 years ago ( 70) as he has Parkinson's disease and I felt he was not 100% safe behind the wheel. I took him out for a test drive and I was shocked at how bad his driving had got.
I took out a 60 year old pupil once and she couldn't turn round to look behind her, she had to rely on her mirrors ( wrong thing to do) and yet she passed her test with 3 minor faults.
Overall I think EVERYONE who has passed a test should be retested every 5 years. I am tested every 4 years to keep up my qualification and I for one can quite clearly raise my hand and say "If I had to resit my D.S.A. driving test tomorrow, I WOULD pass". Can you?

Max

depends, some old people are safe drivers but some dont even deserve to be allowed near a car

WelshLad

At what age?

Scratch Pad Answer

Should you be driving, well mind your business, and let M,O,T worry about that and there doctors.

grenmatta

Should young people be allowed to gain qualifications by getting older people to do the work for them?

not

Old is a broad category. There are plenty of senior people that can drive well. There are many that are terrible and dangerous and shouldn't drive however. Regular driving tests as people age would benefit everyone. Besides seniors there are other people on the road that could use some attention. It's just too easy to get a license. The whole licensing system needs to be stricter.

Tedward

Yes if they are capable, why ever not apart from ignorance? I see many people on the roads now with less skill and consideration than our elderly drivers. Young lads have pushed the insurance premiums up for a reason, high accident rates. Maybe we should limit the age to start at 30?

Rapid Fire

I intend to leave this world the same way my Grandpa did. Peacefully in his sleep behind the wheel of his car. Can't say the same for his three passengers, though.

arlanymor

As long as they can turn their necks to see behind them and can get in and out of the car unaided and pass a mental agility and reaction test i dont see why they shouldnt be allowed to drive on the road and kill someone

Hawkeye85

i think it all depends if they keep active and alert. They say they are less likely to cause or have an accident. From the day i passed my test i toured near enough the whole of scotland, what worried me was the reaction and attitude of old people on the roads. Unable to cope with new roads and vehicles. The resit test should be aimed at people in their 60s

I think the way we get taught and insured should be changed. Insurance is discriminant and is not based on you as a driver. I am a young person who does not drive crazy but i feel i am in more control and do not panic but that's just my personality.

jedthe fisherman

No of course they shouldn't...and by old I presume you mean older then 30, in fact, have them all shot so that you can have a free road. I would recommend suicide as well so that you don't get old

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