Elderly drivers are also more likely to have range of physical impairments that reduces their ability to drive. Conditions such as arthritis may affect the driver’s ability to use the brake and the accelerator, which may
Research shows that starting at age sixty-five, elderly drivers are more likely to be involved in deadly, multicar accidents. Although seniors understandably value the independence that comes with having a driver’s license, some people should not be behind the wheel. Should one license last forever, or should elderly drivers be required to undergo periodic reevaluation?” We want to decrease in deadly car accidents, so we should start these evaluations, because there might be many elderly who still have the capabilities to drive but there’re many who aren’t capable. About a month ago I tuned in a local news channel and they were talking about a deadly car accident, two survived but 2 others died and one of the drivers was a 63 year old man, who
When the neurons get damaged and no longer function efficiently the resulting limitations differ, depending on which side of the brain is damaged. The right side of the brain will cause problems understanding things, and recognizing people and things. Damage in the left side of the brain has been seen to cause by depression, and problems with speech. 1.4 How other factors can cause changes in an individual’s condition that may not be attributable to dementia A variety of
Senior Citizens and Driving In America, the ability to drive without depending on others has become synonymous with independence, autonomy, dignity and self-esteem. According to William Mann, since 90% of people of all ages depend on cars to get from place to place, driving is of major importance at all stages of life ( 2). As we age, however, physical and mental limitations may impair the ability of senior citizens to drive safely. Although most people believe that teenagers are unsafe drivers, they should consider the risks that the elderly take by getting behind the wheel because they have much slower reaction times, are often taking numerous medications, and may have poor eyesight. In order to drive safely, a person must be able to see, think and move well.
The negative side of sensory loss is that they may find it hard to feed themselves, dressing themselves and that their mobility may deteariate. Also, hobbies and interests can have a negative impact on their lives. Some people may also feel alone and scared due to sensory loss. There is support for the deaf and blind to give them a better outlook on life. 1.4 Steps that can be taken to overcome the negative factors could be that you make sure all areas are clear of obstacles so therefore an individual with eye sight impairment might fall over or fall into.
The first reason that seat belts should be mandatory is that seat belts reduce the risk of injuries to a vehicles occupants in the event of an accident. Seat belts restrain a vehicles occupants in the event of a crash limiting major and minor injuries, primarily to the head. Permanent injury is 50% more likely to occur in a vehicle accident when not wearing a seat belt (JMU, 2004, para.1). A study done lead by Rutledge (1993) on people involved in car accidents showed that 44.5% of people in a car accident not wearing a seat belt suffered head injuries. The study also showed that the average amount of days spent in a hospital after a car accident when the victim was wearing a seat belt was 10.5.
In fact, the likelihood that the driver will get into an automobile accident is just the same as someone who has a blood alcohol level of .08 percent, which is when a person is legally intoxicated. Ten states have already banned the use of hand-held phones and 35 states have banned texting while driving. Experts have always compared distracted driving while drunk driving but they are saying a better comparison is smoking, because Americans have an addiction and feel the need to be connected at all times (Matt
In Road Rage, Ferguson points out that in a recent survey that the Coalition for Consumer Health and Safety did, 64% of the people mentioned that they are driving less mannerly and more recklessly than they did about five years ago (553). We all know that road rage can be cause due to many reasons like stress at work and problems at home. Ferguson also points out that road rage could be solve if we had more police and tougher punishments (556), but we all know that won’t really help. I don’t even think that therapy for those road rage individuals would help. We all just have to pray every time we get into a car and just have patience.
My thoughts on elderly drivers would be based on nothing more then the importance of safety on the roads. It would be quite difficult for me to strongly point my opinion, since my voice on the restrictions of senior citizen driving could easily be turned back on me in the long run. Sooner or later as long as we’re living, we will all eventually become older; so each and every one of us will have to face the scrutinizing pressures of society on whether or not elderly citizens should be allowed to drive. Not all people are alike; a 75-year-old man could be in top-fit shape driving without the slightest problem, while a 65-year-old woman could be suffering from poor health conditions that impairs her driving abilities. I feel that elderly people should not be allowed to drive under certain circumstances.
Even those Bluetooth headsets raise the potential risk of an accident. Even though a person’s hands may be free of the cellular device, he or she is still being distracted by the conversation. Cell phone usage while driving causes 2,500 deaths and 330,000 injuries in the United States every year. People who drive while talking on a cell phone raise the risk of an accident or death. Recent studies show that a person driving while talking on a cell phone has less awareness of the road than a person who is driving drunk.