Should elderly people be allowed to drive after reaching a certain age?

shankar.balan · 18th January 2010, 15:55

Our authorities have got to make the driving tests more stringent AND enforce the same.

therefore anyone who is fit and has good eyesight, can be allowed to drive.

Im just thinking of my dad and other experienced drivers of his age group and how terribly irritated they would be if their freedom to drive were curtailed.

kannan666 · 18th January 2010, 16:13

But that is more easier said than done especially in a corrupt system like ours ! In today's scenario, in case an elderly person failed in the driving test, it would only mean that he or she would have to shell out more moolah to obtain the license !

SX4LOVER · 18th January 2010, 16:30

In a corrupt and careless and inconsiderate country like ours, not allowing people above certain age to drive will never ensure that there are more safe drivers on road.

It will only ensure that less elderly people drive on road , and that some rich,insensitive, show-off and yet some more not so rich but equally uneducated pure morons, will only find less aged people and innocent families to kill and hurt.

No.!! I firmly believe that from 16-90, the only condition for permitting people to drive on roads should be :

1. their education (at least graduate)
2. knowledge of rules
3. driving sense

Cops should be given the powers to suspend a license on road if they find a person flouting traffic rules. Of course, The COPS SHOULD BE WILLING TO PERFORM THEIR DUTIES THAN LOOK THE OTHER SIDE.

SamtheLeo · 18th January 2010, 16:54

Yes, it should be banned for oldies till the time we have more stricter laws & their enforcement is made breachless.

Fabiaous · 18th January 2010, 16:59

This is strange, It will hit senior citizens hard who's childrens are away.
Even Waren Buffet drives himself in US , he is over 75.
Its because we dont have traffic sense is a issue and not age.
those in 20's some of them drive rashly

SS-Traveller · 18th January 2010, 19:34

Tomorrow's news today...

In response to a PIL filed by a senior citizens' body, the courts have ordered the government to pay each car-owning senior citizen above the age of 75 years, a monthly support of Rs.5000 to employ a driver, since they are debarred from driving themselves. The amount will be subject to annual review to keep up with inflation. The prices of cheap used cars have skyrocketed as a result in the last 2 days. A 35-year-old Ambassador now commands a price of over seventy thousand rupees.

In another development, it was reported that the sale of hair colouring agents has more than doubled in the last 10 days, and there is an acute shortage of all brands across the country. High usage of hair colouring agents has been noted by various agencies, among white-haired persons driving cars, who are allegedly being frequently stopped and harassed by the traffic police in different parts of the country on the pretext of checking their age. The police are refusing to believe the date of birth printed on their driving licences, and are asking the drivers to produce their birth certificates with photos in original.

SkyWalker · 19th January 2010, 08:12

SS-Traveller - a great one - but you missed one key part. "Govt. is now considering an increase in new vehicle tax by 2% to support the 5K monthly stipend to senior citizens.

"

Seriously, i find restricting a person from driving because he's over 75 to be unethical. What if the person is healthy and drives well? Why are we forcing senior citizens to be dependent on other people?

S5157 · 19th January 2010, 08:44

There are two categories of elderly drivers.
1. One who learn driving at their younger ages and continues to drive
2. One who started to drive after sixties

The second category of drivers seems to have been causing more number of accidents.I personally have been a victim of being hit from back while walking on the right side of the road by a sixty five year old man who just got license and was driving a scooty.

The first category of drivers seems to be more responsible.

theMAG · 19th January 2010, 09:15

This cant be generalized with a simple yes/no option. Owing to the sensitivity of the topic, it is best if license validity is decided on a case-by-case basis, respectfully.

After all, a nation cant give a verdict that its aged citizens have to be dependant on others compulsorily.

sgiitk · 19th January 2010, 10:58

It appears that Delhi is thinking about banning drivers above 72!

What matters if fitness and not age. Have not heard of such a thing anywhere in the world.

Crazy as hell. In fact this group is probably the most law abiding of the lot. They drive almost totally locally, and their sole source of mobility may be the car!

phamilyman · 19th January 2010, 11:08

I agree with you here - this is quite stupid. I'd have thought the existing renewal period for licenses took care of that

Simply.

McLaren Rulez · 19th January 2010, 11:12

Isn't this more relevant in the should older people be retired from driving thread? In any case, how about some links sgiit? And if they're only thinking about it, its the sixty year olds that should be more worried since it'll take about that long before it actually comes into effect

aargee · 19th January 2010, 11:21

I would consider this as this country neglecting the senior citizens. Are there any such laws banning senior citizens drivers in any countries? In my opinion this is proposed as it is much simpler to ban them from driving than passing stringent RTO laws for road test.

Rahulkool · 19th January 2010, 11:23

really stupid law, they should really think about restructuring the licensing process than banning people from driving.

arin_12 · 19th January 2010, 14:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by sgiitk

It appears that Delhi is thinking about banning drivers above 72!

What matters if fitness and not age. Have not heard of such a thing anywhere in the world.

Crazy as hell. In fact this group is probably the most law abiding of the lot. They drive almost totally locally, and their sole source of mobility may be the car!

Article Window

Today' Times of India Bangalore edition also thinking in the same way.

View Poll Results: Should drivers be retested regularly after the age of 70?
Yes	14	53.85%
No	3	11.54%
Moot point, driver testing by RTO is a farce	9	34.62%
Voters: 26. You may not vote on this poll

18th January 2010, 15:55	#76
shankar.balan BANNED Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 11,368 Thanked: 23,151 Times View My Garage Infractions: 0/2 (8)	Our authorities have got to make the driving tests more stringent AND enforce the same. therefore anyone who is fit and has good eyesight, can be allowed to drive. Im just thinking of my dad and other experienced drivers of his age group and how terribly irritated they would be if their freedom to drive were curtailed.
	() Thanks

18th January 2010, 16:13	#77
kannan666 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: KA-02 Posts: 1,002 Thanked: 128 Times View My Garage	But that is more easier said than done especially in a corrupt system like ours ! In today's scenario, in case an elderly person failed in the driving test, it would only mean that he or she would have to shell out more moolah to obtain the license !
	() Thanks

18th January 2010, 16:30	#78
SX4LOVER BHPian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Highway Posts: 304 Thanked: 173 Times	In a corrupt and careless and inconsiderate country like ours, not allowing people above certain age to drive will never ensure that there are more safe drivers on road. It will only ensure that less elderly people drive on road , and that some rich,insensitive, show-off and yet some more not so rich but equally uneducated pure morons, will only find less aged people and innocent families to kill and hurt. No.!! I firmly believe that from 16-90, the only condition for permitting people to drive on roads should be : 1. their education (at least graduate) 2. knowledge of rules 3. driving sense Cops should be given the powers to suspend a license on road if they find a person flouting traffic rules. Of course, The COPS SHOULD BE WILLING TO PERFORM THEIR DUTIES THAN LOOK THE OTHER SIDE.
	() Thanks

18th January 2010, 16:54	#79
SamtheLeo BHPian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Melbourne Posts: 451 Thanked: 26 Times	Yes, it should be banned for oldies till the time we have more stricter laws & their enforcement is made breachless.
	() Thanks

18th January 2010, 16:59	#80
Fabiaous BHPian Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Banagalore Posts: 123 Thanked: 20 Times	This is strange, It will hit senior citizens hard who's childrens are away. Even Waren Buffet drives himself in US , he is over 75. Its because we dont have traffic sense is a issue and not age. those in 20's some of them drive rashly
	() Thanks

18th January 2010, 19:34	#81
SS-Traveller Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: New Delhi Posts: 8,164 Thanked: 27,143 Times View My Garage	Tomorrow's news today... In response to a PIL filed by a senior citizens' body, the courts have ordered the government to pay each car-owning senior citizen above the age of 75 years, a monthly support of Rs.5000 to employ a driver, since they are debarred from driving themselves. The amount will be subject to annual review to keep up with inflation. The prices of cheap used cars have skyrocketed as a result in the last 2 days. A 35-year-old Ambassador now commands a price of over seventy thousand rupees. In another development, it was reported that the sale of hair colouring agents has more than doubled in the last 10 days, and there is an acute shortage of all brands across the country. High usage of hair colouring agents has been noted by various agencies, among white-haired persons driving cars, who are allegedly being frequently stopped and harassed by the traffic police in different parts of the country on the pretext of checking their age. The police are refusing to believe the date of birth printed on their driving licences, and are asking the drivers to produce their birth certificates with photos in original. Last edited by SS-Traveller : 18th January 2010 at 19:37.
	() Thanks

19th January 2010, 08:12	#82
SkyWalker Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,531 Thanked: 136 Times	SS-Traveller - a great one - but you missed one key part. "Govt. is now considering an increase in new vehicle tax by 2% to support the 5K monthly stipend to senior citizens. " Seriously, i find restricting a person from driving because he's over 75 to be unethical. What if the person is healthy and drives well? Why are we forcing senior citizens to be dependent on other people?
	() Thanks

19th January 2010, 08:44	#83
S5157 BHPian Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Muvattupuzha, K Posts: 305 Thanked: 191 Times	There are two categories of elderly drivers. 1. One who learn driving at their younger ages and continues to drive 2. One who started to drive after sixties The second category of drivers seems to have been causing more number of accidents.I personally have been a victim of being hit from back while walking on the right side of the road by a sixty five year old man who just got license and was driving a scooty. The first category of drivers seems to be more responsible.
	() Thanks

19th January 2010, 09:15	#84
theMAG Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: May 2006 Location: Avon, CT Posts: 7,217 Thanked: 1,807 Times View My Garage	This cant be generalized with a simple yes/no option. Owing to the sensitivity of the topic, it is best if license validity is decided on a case-by-case basis, respectfully. After all, a nation cant give a verdict that its aged citizens have to be dependant on others compulsorily.
	() Thanks

19th January 2010, 10:58	#85
sgiitk BANNED Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Gurugram Posts: 7,969 Thanked: 4,788 Times	Delhi's crazy idea It appears that Delhi is thinking about banning drivers above 72! What matters if fitness and not age. Have not heard of such a thing anywhere in the world. Crazy as hell. In fact this group is probably the most law abiding of the lot. They drive almost totally locally, and their sole source of mobility may be the car!
	() Thanks

19th January 2010, 11:08	#86
phamilyman Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 5,968 Thanked: 4,642 Times	I agree with you here - this is quite stupid. I'd have thought the existing renewal period for licenses took care of that Simply.
	() Thanks

19th January 2010, 11:12	#87
McLaren Rulez Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Mysore Posts: 3,390 Thanked: 5,107 Times	Isn't this more relevant in the should older people be retired from driving thread? In any case, how about some links sgiit? And if they're only thinking about it, its the sixty year olds that should be more worried since it'll take about that long before it actually comes into effect
	() Thanks

19th January 2010, 11:21	#88
aargee Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: TSTN Posts: 6,236 Thanked: 9,643 Times	I would consider this as this country neglecting the senior citizens. Are there any such laws banning senior citizens drivers in any countries? In my opinion this is proposed as it is much simpler to ban them from driving than passing stringent RTO laws for road test.
	() Thanks

19th January 2010, 11:23	#89
Rahulkool Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Chennai Posts: 1,386 Thanked: 1,416 Times View My Garage	really stupid law, they should really think about restructuring the licensing process than banning people from driving.
	() Thanks