Elderly Drivers Informational Essay

Informational Essay Currently thither is an extremely some(prenominal) important(p) deal that the public should understand much about due to its awful impact on many citizens. This issue pertains to the safety business sector touch the elderly charm operating a motor fomite aside the advance of 70 years old. This debate whether old people should be allowed to start is often brought up by younger drivers, the reality is that all able bodied people who argon physically and mentally hearty should be able to drive but as we grow old(a) it is inevitable that our health will decrease.There argon many different line of works on this subject and seems to be a widely spoken debate amongst way users regarding each of their opinions on the possible changes to be made addressing this concern. We nominate find the argument by first ecumenicly summarizing each side of the argument and their position with supporting evidence of each sides common claims. One of the close common c laims made by advocates for the elderly drivers are as undermentioned even though the initial licensing procedures vary greatly in the unify States.However, those who tend to favor the allowance of elderly citizens to drive on their own, apt(predicate) believe it is an insult to precedential citizens skill to drive and do non support the newly suggested regulations in order for any citizen over the age of 70 to be considered for their attest variety. Most states generally allow license renewal if thither are no suspensions on the drivers license and whitethorn require appearing in person. Aside from the general requirements previously stated there are two aspects of the license renewal process that seem to vary substantially among states.Which are the length of while between renewals as well as some additional requirements that may by chance be imposed on older motor vehicle operators. Such legal requirements currently exist in 28 states as well as the District of Columbi a who, specifically states that an applicant shall not be required to retake the written exam or passageway test found solely on advanced age. This regulation is insistent in exemplifying current licensing laws in the other states and their positions held regarding this nume tell. Some of the more southern states even allow certain privileges or rewards for elderly drivers.For instance, in both Oklahoma and Tennessee, the license renewal fees are reduced for drivers that are 60 years of age or older. Tennessee in particular likewise permits current drivers past the age of 65 and over to retain a drivers license which will be indefinitely well-grounded without an expiration date. The laws created by these states contribute to the increase in older drivers and supports their rights. The ability to drive represents a freedom and independence from relying on anyone else, and allows us to touch self-sufficient and capable.It is the belief of many that older drivers should be allow ed to drive without any verification of his/her competency and that the elderly should be able to operate a vehicle independently at their own discretion on the passage and renew their drivers license, without first screening for safety requirements. A survey conducted on www. surveycentral. org, showed a 76. 5% majority of those surveyed in a research study voted that older people should be able to drive if they can pass a driving test.The parties who wish to not bring down further driving laws pertaining to elderly people also believe that a loss of mobility to an elderly person tends to diminish their sense of independence and authorization leaving them feeling stranded or alone and ultimately leads to a decrease in the overall quality of life. The author Liisa Hakamies-Blomqvist in her sample Older Road Users supports this position with statistical evidence and research when she reports the hobby statement Older drivers do not have a high accident risk than others.They do however have a higher(prenominal) risk of being injured or killed in accidents because of with their age there is increasing physical frailty( Hakamies-Blomqvist, 1997). The license renewal of the elder drivers may pose a problem among older citizens who will soon be approaching this age of evaluation, that are not likely to be sticky with this proposal for various reasons. The fact that they are soon approaching this pointedness in their life as they are getting older, and certain rights are undoubtedly being taken away from them with mandatory evaluations/examinations can be seen as a human rights issues.However, the main concern held in this matter lies in the safety and well-being of all vehicles including passengers and drivers. According to a novel study by Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh and the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, based on data from 1999-2004 displays statistics to support the claim that laws should be enforced and can be seen in the following surp rising fatality rates for drivers Which arrive to climb after age 65, and from ages 75 to 84, the rate of about tierce deaths per 100 million miles driven is equal to the death rate of puerile drivers.Even worse for drivers 85 and older, the fatality rate skyrockets to nearly four propagation higher than that for teens (AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, 2004). Various statistics show similar results when comparability fatalities and crash rates involving elderly drivers and is a concern for many people. This concern is exemplified by the following statement by Barbara Harsha, executive director of the Governors driveway Safety Association. Its a huge problem, and we really dont have any dissolvents to it yet, We charter to keep moving on it and try to find solutions as pronto as possible(Harsha, 2004). This is a continuing problem and will solo increase in severity as the boom of newly sr. senior citizens grows rapidly, and will inevitably be driving on the thorough out- of-the-way(prenominal)e with us. This seems like an issue we should be addressing as citizens, however we havent been able to come up with any compromise or solution to resolve this problem as of yet.As far as seeing a visible improvement in statistics from any changes made in this apparent motion seem that the only measure scientifically proven to lower the rate of fatal motor vehicle accidents involving elderly drivers is to require the seniors to appear at motor vehicle departments in person to renew their licenses. Research demonstrates that senior citizens who drive are involved in more fatal car accidents than any other driving age group. However, while senior drivers do pose a risk, losing the right to drive may also possibly lead to isolation or depression.Even though many states have use various restrictions on senior drivers in an attempt to fix the problem, there have been no successful results overall regarding this issue and so far all attempts seem to be inadequate to fully address the issue and resolve this situation. Therefore, the current challenge that seems to be facing the community regarding back breaker safety is how to provide the elderly with the easy mobility that they are used to having, while at the same time focusing on safety as a main priority.