Disclaimer: The views shared in this article⁤ are solely ⁤those of the author and ⁢do not ⁢represent DailySpire.

I understand that taking⁣ away someone’s​ driver’s ⁤license also removes⁢ their freedom, ‍but if it’s for⁢ their safety and‌ the safety of others, then it shouldn’t even be a debate.
According to⁤ the CDC, ⁣in 2020 ​almost 48 million individuals aged 65 and⁤ older‌ had⁢ a driver’s license, which is a 68% increase ⁣since 2000. And‍ as older​ folks keep staying healthy, that ​number will likely keep growing.

While ⁣seniors aren’t usually ‍the ones most likely⁣ to ‌cause accidents – it’s⁤ mainly those under 40 ⁣– people over 65 ​are more prone to getting into‌ crashes due to various age-related issues. In 2020, nearly ⁢7,500 older adults ⁣lost their lives in ⁤accidents and ⁢around 200,000 were treated in hospitals for injuries.

Right now ‌there isn’t any‌ federal law saying when certain ⁣age⁣ groups should stop driving. I don’t‍ think we need an actual law for this. But⁢ I do believe we should rethink what happens⁤ when someone turns 70; they can ‌still legally drive according to the law.

When it comes to renewing licenses, every state has its own rules.

As per the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety⁣ data from 2020, ⁢there are currently twenty-one states with shorter⁢ renewal periods based on how old drivers are. For​ instance, ‍Florida ​has an eight-year standard renewal period but once drivers hit eighty years ​old they must renew ‌every six years.‌ Maine allows drivers under sixty-five to‌ renew every six years while those over sixty-five have to renew every ‌four⁣ years.

Aside from renewal periods we ⁣also​ need talk ​about vision tests and road tests.

As of now only four states require older drivers take visual acuity tests after reaching a‌ certain age. The other states either have minimum requirements for all ages without on-site ⁣testing or require⁢ everyone regardless of age⁤ take a visual test during their in-person renewal ‍process.

All states should make sure everyone⁣ takes‍ a​ visual‍ acuity test ⁣either during an in-person license renewal or if they can renew online or by mail;‌ they should submit results from recent eye⁤ exams instead!

The most⁢ concerning part ‍is that ​just one state requires people above a specific age retake road‌ tests⁤ before‍ renewing licenses! However ​this might change soon as an Illinois legislator wants to⁣ remove road test requirements for those over seventy-five years old in his state!

Some‌ say it’s ⁢unfair⁤ towards ‌seniors while⁤ others argue ⁢that⁣ people with traffic violations need retesting​ more than elderly drivers do!

Regularly retesting senior drivers can help ​spot any problems they may ​face while driving so ⁣necessary changes can be ⁤made allowing them stay safe on roads!

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety⁤ (IIHS)⁣ mentions that ​although strength thinking skills ⁢and eyesight may decline with aging getting older ⁢doesn’t mean someone‌ can’t ‌drive safely! Since one person’s abilities ⁤might remain sharp while another’s fade there shouldn’t be ⁢an age limit on driving—just ‌laws‌ requiring ⁢certain aged individuals retake road tests!