Informative Essay On Elderly Drivers

651 Words2 Pages

Elderly Drivers In the next twenty -five years the elderly that drive is expected to double. Families are reluctant to have the unwanted conversation with parents and their ability to drive. Although, driving helps the elderly to stay active, and gives them a sense of freedom and independence it is necessary to make them take a driving test. Driving tests assure that they have the skills needed to be out on the roads and highways. There is not a magical number when we decide to take away the keys. People in they’re 80’s and 90’s are capable of the skills it takes to be a safe driver, while there are those in their 50’s and 60’s that are dangerous when behind a wheel. There are key factors that have a role in determining whether they are capable …show more content…

There were no injuries other than herself and the car she was driving. Her vision was failing due to her being diabetic. She did not have the perception she needed to gauge where the cars were. At this point, the family never replaced her car and she never drove again. Call 2 The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported in 2014 that 5,700 older adults were killed and 236,000 treated in emergency rooms for vehicle injuries. This average to 16 elderly killed and 648 injured everyday. You’re skills to drive are more related to health than age. Some factors to consider when making the decision to take away the keys are: • Vision- Sensitivity to lights and the ability to see objects becomes an issue the older we become. Some of the diseases that impair vision are: glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration. • Hearing- Hearing loss is one of the most common conditions affecting the elderly. The inability to hear high-pitched sounds alerting of an emergency can put the elderly and others at

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