Elderly Drivers: A Need For Change

Paper Summary:

The purpose of this paper is to introduce, discuss and analyze the topic of elderly drivers in America. Specifically, the paper discusses a proposal for change supported by research. The proposal is in support of the implementation of required standardized testing of people reaching the age of 65 that would enable them to retain their driver's license while assuring their continued safety on the America's roads and highways. The proposal also recommends a course of action for regulation of elderly drivers and provides a proposed solution to the problem, while urging Americans to get involved now, before more elderly drivers take to the nation's highways and byways.

From the Paper:

"Elderly drivers pose a threat to other drivers in several ways. Many studies indicate that "Older drivers are involved in a disproportionate number of crashes associated with intersections and other complex traffic situations, failure to yield, inattention, road signs, left turns, and oncoming traffic and are more often found to be at fault in crashes" (Wood). Other studies have indicated older drivers have slower reaction times, impaired vision, and a higher instance of eye diseases that can create problems with their perception and vision. Scientist Wood continues, "Visual impairment becomes significantly more prevalent with increasing age. The normal process of aging results in yellowing and cloudiness of the crystalline lens, a decrease in pupil size, and alterations in the integrity of the macular pigment and neural pathways" (Wood)."

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