Should Florida Restrict Older Drivers? Essay Example

Florida has the densest concentration of elderly people in the nation which has been attributed to various factors such as good weather, effective marketing, lower taxes, and a herd mentality (Lapidos). Thus, it is no surprise that there are 4.2 million seniors age 60 and older or about 30 percent of the state’s total population. During winter months, Florida attracts thousands of “snowbirds” which create a drag on the roads. Thus, the state of Florida should restrict the drivers over the age of 75 on the roads when the traffic is the busiest. This proposal is not merely meant to reduce traffic but is also intended to maximize the collective interests of the state’s residents.

A study by Carnegie Mellon University and the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that drivers 65 and over are more likely to get in traffic accidents than younger drivers. Even worse is the fact that those 85 and over log a fatality rate nearly four times that of teens. There are various reasons why elderly drivers are more prone to accidents. One is age-related deterioration in vision and hearing which makes it harder to see traffic signs, lane lines, and other drivers and pedestrians as well as difficult to hear horns and sirens. Second reason is limited physical fitness which may make it more difficult to steer, maneuver, and turning head to check for blind spots. The third reason is age-related slower reflexes which mean elderly drivers may take longer to react to unexpected events or analyze road conditions. The fourth reason are the side-effects of medications as people age 65 and over consume more prescription and over-the-counter medicines than any other age group. Medications may cause drowsiness or make it difficult to focus among other things. Old age may also cause lower tolerance to alcohol (Nolo).

The reasons mentioned above are not merely logical speculations but are supported by facts. Research on age-related driving concerns showed that while those around the age of 65 face an increased risk of being involved in a vehicle crash, the risk of driver fatality increases sharply after the age of 75. A NHTSA study of 1995 FARS (Fatal Accident Reporting System) reported that senior citizens accounted for 5% of all people injured in traffic crashes, 13% of all traffic fatalities, 13% of all vehicle occupant fatalities, and 18% of all pedestrian fatalities. A 1997 NHTSA study reported that while older people made up 9 percent of the population, they accounted for 14 percent of all traffic fatalities and 17 percent of all pedestrian fatalities. Older people were found to be seven times more often than younger driver to be involved in a crash while making left turns. On the basis of estimated annual travel, experts estimate that the fatality rate for drivers 85 and over is nine times as high as the drivers 25 through 69 years old (Smart Motorist). These statistics confirm that elderly drivers are more prone to accidents due to slower reflexes, limited physical fitness, and slower reactions.

It comes as no surprise that some states issues shorter term driver’s licenses to older people. In Iowa, drivers over 70 can only receive two years licenses. An Insurance Institute for Highway Safety telephone survey of 522 Iowa drivers over 70 revealed that fewer than half could renew their licenses without a road test and about 20 percent of elderly drivers could not drive unrestricted or drive at all (Span).More than half the U.S. states have one or more renewal provisions specific to elderly drivers (National Institute for Highway Safety). One could argue that these age specific restrictions are already in place, thus, there is no need to restrict older drivers in Florida during busy traffic hours. Such an argument doesn’t take into account the facts that are unique to Florida. First of all, not all the elderly residents of Florida stay in the state whole year around. Some only move during the cold seasons and, thus, they may have driver licenses of other states including those that have no age-specific driver’s license restrictions. The states with no age specific restrictions include Michigan, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Washington. Moreover, Florida’s own age specific driver’s license restrictions are not as strict as other states. Whereas most states require vision tests for license renewal in the age range of 65 to 75, Florida only requires a vision test if the renewal applicant is at least 80 (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety).

Laws are often made even when they may restrict someone’s right to freedom of action and speech because their passage will increase the overall welfare of the society. ban on smoking in public places is one such example and many places have found a solution to the ban by reserving specific spots for smoker. Similarly, Florida’s restriction on older drivers in busiest hours may violate elderly drivers’ right to drive but it will increase the overall welfare of the society. Elderly drivers are more prone to accidents and the probability of accident is only higher during rush hours. In addition, elderly drivers tend to drive slow which further worsens the situation. But a restriction will in no way mean the end of travelling for elderly people during rush hours. The state may run a shuttle or another public transport system for the elderly people which will not only be more efficient in terms of cost and environment but will also help ease the traffic jams.

Thus, Florida should restrict the elderly drivers over the age of 75 during busy traffic times because doing so will not only ease the traffic but will also lower accidents and the resulting fatalities. In addition, the recommendation is supported by research and an alternative would be to run a public transport specifically for the elderly which will be a cost effective solution in terms of both cost and time.

References

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Older drivers: licensing renewal provisions. October 2011. 20 November 2011 <http://www.iihs.org/laws/olderdrivers.aspx>.

Lapidos, Juliet. Why Is Florida God’s Waiting Room? 29 June 2008. 20 November 2011 <http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/explainer/2008/01/why_is_florida_gods_waiting_room.html>.

National Institute for Highway Safety. Q&A: Older drivers. December 2010. 20 November 2011 <http://www.iihs.org/research/qanda/older_people.html>.

Nolo. When Should Elders Stop Driving? 20 November 2011 <http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/when-should-elders-stop-driving-29524.html>.

Smart Motorist. Older Drivers, Elderly Driving, Seniors at the Wheel. 20 November 2011 <http://www.smartmotorist.com/traffic-and-safety-guideline/older-drivers-elderly-driving-seniors-at-the-wheel.html>.

Span, Paula. Unexpected Findings on Elderly Drivers. 17 November 2010. 20 November 2011 <http://newoldage.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/11/17/unexpected-findings-on-elderly-drivers/>.