ralper

An interesting article about senior citizens and driving. What do you think?

http://api.viglink.com/api/click?for...0-f11d2f5d36b2

dlq04

I knew when I hit 70 I did not have the reaction time to be racing on the track with 30 somethings. I accepted that and sold the car. As for being on the road, I suspect I'm good for 30 more years, give or take.

RedY2KS2k

Sorry, but the link goes to a home page where I cannot find the article.

jukngene

Try this: http://editorial.autos.msn.com/blogs...0-f11d2f5d36b2

ralper

Thanks Gene. I copied your link and put it into the first post.

PanteraKitty

Interesting. Last time in to the Ophthalmologist he had a fancy new machine that measures how long it takes to see something. A light blinks and somehow this machine can tell how long it is from the time the light blinks until you see it. He suggested that I not drive at night because of the delay.

MsPerky

^ That sounds like the flashing light machine that tests for glaucoma. Those lights drive me crazy. I see them for awhile after the test is over. But I test fine, so far.

I was lucky in that my dad decided on his own to stop driving at 93. He was forgetting where he was and had to think of steps in his head to get home. He died at 95. My mom still drives a bit, to the grocery store, etc. Not far. She is 92. I do drive her elsewhere, like to doc appts. I keep a close eye on her. So far, she seems to be doing pretty well.

boltonblue

If I had my way a simple reaction test would be a mandatory part of any drivers exam.
take the average reaction time of 10 responses, if it exceeds 0.2 sec, thank you for playing... Next!!

S2KRAY

Florida wins the prize for most older drivers who haven't a clue of where they are going. We visit Naples for 2 months and it is unbelievable!

ralper

We didn't realize that my mother was in the early stages of Alzheimer's but still driving. She absolutely refused to give it up. After two minor fender benders my sister and I took the keys away. My mother was livid. She had been driving since the early 1950s and to her the car was freedom and independence. My mother was a very strong, proud and independent woman.

Both my sister and I had heard stories and have friends whose parents willing gave up driving when they were no longer able to. My mother was the other extreme. For months afterwards my mother remained mad. Within the year her Alzheimer's progressed to the point where she no longer remembered the car.

Taking the car away from her was one of the hardest things we had to do. I don't know how this could be done, but I think that perhaps a medical opinion should be involved when senior citizens renew their licenses.