Quote:
Originally Posted by graciegirl
We have discussed this before on this forum. Who do you think are more dangerous drivers statistically? Over 80 or under 20?
I do not mind at all being elderly. These are the most fun filled years of my life with no deadlines and no burdens of worries about jobs or kids. I am married to my dream guy and enjoy sharing our home with our sweet daughter. I wish I could make this part of my life go on forever.
I don't think I am a fan of political correctness, but as my Aunt Jane would remind us, Don't be crude like oil. Be refined, like sugar. Not funny, just nostalgic and indicative of my Ohio upbringing. My father figure was a police officer and he was never anything but well spoken. Of course he was 6'4" which back in the forties and fifties was really tall. To me he was a giant. I expect a lot from the men in blue.
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Wrong question. Of course drivers under the age of 20 are more dangerous statistically. They include brand new drivers with little or no experience.
Drivers over the age of 80 have the most experience so, according to your criterion, it would stand to reason that they should be the safest. Sadly however, they are not.
How about comparing drivers in their 40s and 50s to drivers in their 80's. How about finding accident rates for drivers in their 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s and comparing them.
I imagine that there are plenty of drivers in their 80s who are quite capable and safe. Many in that age bracket however have diminished capacities both mentally and physically. Their reaction times are slower.
I'm not saying that people over a certain age shouldn't drive, but it makes sense that after a certain age, drivers get tested more often. it's really kind of absurd that we get tested once in our lives at age 16 and never again.
I would object to testing every ten years and every five years after a certain age. Maybe even annually after that.
I wen through hell with a former father-in-law who never had an accident in his life until he was about 78. The he had a multitude of small accidents and a few big ones. He almost killed a little girl before his children finally took action.
The man drove for about eight years when he shouldn't have been. He was extremely fortunate not to have caused serious injury or death.