[Samurai]

Originally Posted by KiloAlpha

Is there a way we can test for this aspect as well?

A road test should obviously involve driving on regular roads.

[GrammarNazi]

Voted NO. Testing is not THAT useful, and its possible to beat the test (by consciously staying careful/sharp for a short period) even if the system was corruption free (lol yeah right!).

Dynamics of traffic behaviour may change but method of driving remains the same. When I go to GJ(Rajkot), I can't drive the way people drive there. Bangalore : Forget 10 - 15 years, just 5 years back it was a better city to drive in than now. If I was told to learn driving in today's traffic & road conditions then I'd have never taken up learning to drive!

So here are the 2 apparent options that I see:

• If they're overly zealous, you'll probably tug along / a driver along as a help. If they're too conscious, you'd probably find time and tell them that you want them around for more of other stuff than driving.

• If they're really slow and still hard pressed on driving - come what may, then please have them counseled. They should be explained how things have changed & things they'll have to pay extra attention to. Maybe even get a speed/RPM governor.

My friend's dad living in Bannergatta Road (a part of Bangalore thats often congested with traffic) bought a Nano just to drive to his office where he'd swap with another car. It worked because Nano is VERY EASY to drive. (I heard its now going to be made available with PS too).

Don't tie them down simply because YOU think they can't handle it. Its not cool. Also, maybe we shouldn't sing, "Stop! theres a Law, theres a Law...", to the oldies. Its not a comforting thing to hear! + They've seen/been through more changes in life than us.

Waiting for replies/corrections!

[joybhowmik]

It is not the age related physical handicaps only - such as partial loss of vision or even their ability to react in-time to accident prone conditions while driving

The sheer volume of traffic, the fact that most drivers on the streets have never taken formal driving lessons, and probably paid their way to a DL without a formal test, coupled with this rush-rush-rush culture means - that the slow driving /ultra careful seniors are more than ever likely to end up aggravating a frustrated (and bad) driver behind them - driving up the chances of an accident.

In my view the seniors, are just not psychologically equipped to deal with this kind of aggression on the streets, and are likely to end up at the receiving end of verbal or even physical abuse. Such is the unfortunate state of affairs (at least in my part of the country)

[k149in]

I think we should not separate elderly based on how bad their eyesight or reflexes is... The truth is, most of the new generations leave their parents to fend for themselves. More than scooty or Activa, the car is the best and safest mobility option. Afterall, they should not be dependent on their children for anything and driving gives them every freedom they deserve. Probably, just like L board for learners, elderly should prominently display on their car to let others know that the car is being driven by a senior citizen. The younger generation must adjust and drive carefully when a car around them is being driven by a senior citizen.

[Mpower]

I dont understand why someone would even want to debate this issue.

Drivers should be asked to test probably even sooner than 70

Originally Posted by ramzsys

There's an 80+ year old respectable gentleman, who drives a MM540 daily for 10+ km from his home to farm(my farm is nearby), and he uses this jeep to ferry laborers and materials.

He doesn't move his eyes off the road ahead come what may.

So IMHO, no point in asking the elders to stay off.

He will pass the test with flying colours and continue driving? So, whats the problem?

Originally Posted by gostel

I just want to drop in a polite something: I am young; I am 63; and it is only now that I have become a safe driver. When I was in my mid-twenties I gave up driving as I found myself to be too rash for safety. This thread is not about driving; this thread is also not about the elderly; but this thread is about logical thinking. Somebody has a relative who is a scary driver.

Per your logic why should there be a minimum age for driving then? I was mature enough to drive when I was 12 so maybe we should allow all 12 year olds to start driving. Why should there even be a test at all? Just start driving when you feel ready and stop when you feel you're too old

[swarnava.m]

Originally Posted by Mpower

Why should there even be a test at all? Just start driving when you feel ready and stop when you feel you're too old

Really? Sorry if this if offensive but are you saying that the mental maturity of a teenager and that of an elderly person are quite at the same level to decide whether they are good enough to drive?

[TheARUN]

I voted No.

I have seen two elderly drivers, one is my Dad and the other is my Dad's Boss

My Dad's Boss was a car fanatic, he had an MG immaculately maintained and spent almost half his life with the car, he used to love driving it around and for most of his life that was the only car he drove, he chose to be a passenger in all other cars. One day suddenly, he gave up driving, just like that, this was when he was in his seventies. Reason "my reflexes are not that fast anymore"

Second my Dad, I have grown up seeing him drive and being driven by him, now he in his seventies has mellowed down by himself, without any stimulus. He drives slowly, is more careful, he knows, he cannot react and jam the brakes suddenly, so he plans all manoeuvres

Leaving emotions aside, the point I would like to make is that the older generation is more conscious about society and their responsibility towards it, they are also advocates of self-censure and restrict themselves from taking risks when driving

Old people irritate other road users when they are on the road, because they are slow and more often than not because they strictly follow the rules

PS - There are always exceptions to the rule

[Mpower]

Originally Posted by swarnava.m

Really? Sorry if this if offensive but are you saying that the mental maturity of a teenager and that of an elderly person are quite at the same level to decide whether they are good enough to drive?

Thank you. I was waiting for someone to fall into the trap.

Just like all teenagers are NOT equally mature at age 13 or 19, not all seniors are NOT equally alert and fit at age 70 or 65. ( and hence the test for both)

[Samurai]

Originally Posted by TheARUN

One day suddenly, he gave up driving, just like that, this was when he was in his seventies. Reason "my reflexes are not that fast anymore"

Second my Dad, I have grown up seeing him drive and being driven by him, now he in his seventies has mellowed down by himself, without any stimulus.

Based on two sensible elders in your life, you decide no testing is required. I have many elders in family who sensibly gave up driving after a point. I started this thread because of one not-so-sensible elder. Laws are never created for sensible people. If the law about seat belts or helmet is suspended, a typical BHPian is not going stop using seat belts or helmet. But most of the public will. Laws must be created when people don't voluntarily do that right thing.

Originally Posted by TheARUN

He drives slowly, is more careful, he knows, he cannot react and jam the brakes suddenly, so he plans all manoeuvres.

What about unplanned cases? People and animals can dart in front of the car anytime on our roads.

[blacksport]

Empirical evidence could be misleading. You cannot simply take the reason for not allowing minors to drive, and use that to argue why the elderly should not be allowed to drive.

No law should trample on someone's liberty. As such there is a law prohibiting physically/mentally unfit people from driving. There is no need to legislate new laws that are difficult to enforce.

[Samurai]

Originally Posted by blacksport

You cannot simply use the reason for not allowing minors to drive, and use that to argue why the elderly should not be allowed to drive.

Who is proposing such a law?

[navin]

Originally Posted by Samurai

Laws must be created when people don't voluntarily do that right thing....

Sure have the laws. As I have aged I too have found my reflexes are not what they used to be and hence have changed my driving style to accomodate these limitations but...

Laws are only useful if implemented and executed correctly. In India I fear two things:

1. The law will be used to harass the honest (for the elderly this can be quite troublesome)
2. The dishonest will find ways to circumvent the law (when I last visited the RTO, I was approached by any number of touts and agents)

[CARDEEP]

I votes "Yes", more so for medical reasons, rather than to have slow drivers off the road.

IMO the tests should not be a means of harassing the elderly, instead, the RTO should go to their doors to conduct the test (at nominal/ discounted fees).

Elderly driving the vehicles on own, at times is a necessity rather than an option, & there should be all steps from Government to serve these experienced citizens, than cause slightest discomfort to them, in the twilight of their life they have spent contributing to the nation's economy & service.

[zenren]

Originally Posted by TheARUN

I voted No.

I have seen two elderly drivers, one is my Dad and the other is my Dad's Boss

My Dad's Boss was a car fanatic, he had an MG immaculately maintained and spent almost half his life with the car, he used to love driving it around and for most of his life that was the only car he drove, he chose to be a passenger in all other cars. One day suddenly, he gave up driving, just like that, this was when he was in his seventies. Reason "my reflexes are not that fast anymore"

Second my Dad, I have grown up seeing him drive and being driven by him, now he in his seventies has mellowed down by himself, without any stimulus. He drives slowly, is more careful, he knows, he cannot react and jam the brakes suddenly, so he plans all manoeuvres

Leaving emotions aside, the point I would like to make is that the older generation is more conscious about society and their responsibility towards it, they are also advocates of self-censure and restrict themselves from taking risks when driving

Old people irritate other road users when they are on the road, because they are slow and more often than not because they strictly follow the rules

PS - There are always exceptions to the rule

Driving slow does not always mean driving safe. If someone feels that he is not competent enough to drive at the regular speed for a road, he should choose not to drive instead of choosing to drive slowly. He would most likely be holding up traffic behind him and obstructing the free flow of traffic whenever he drives slow. Instead of the average density of vehicles, he will end up creating a free road ahead of him and a dense traffic behind him. Any emergency vehicles could also be slowed down due to this congestion.

The point in question is whether it is safe for the fellow road users if someone with slower reflexes are allowed to drive on the road, irrespective of the speed they drive.

Driving under the influence of alcohol is an offense because the alcohol slows down the nervous system and reflexes which means you need more time to react. Someone in their thirties might have the same reflex after a few drinks as someone in their eighties who has not had any drinks. So the risk that they pose is technically the same but we do not say that drunken driving is okay if the driver is driving at very slow speeds.

P.S: Putting an upper limit for driving age is not something I would agree upon. Fitness is the key here. If someone is fit to drive normally, he should be allowed to drive irrespective of his age.

For the underage drivers, they cannot be fit to drive since their estimation of speed and perception of distance would not have settled down to the adult levels even if they think they are ready to drive. This will impact their judgments while driving which also involves anticipating how others might behave.

[sgiitk]

I think the medical fitness which is required should do. If that is a farce then anything you put will also be. Remember most 70+ motorists do not do high mileages, and often just drive to the market and back.