Traffic accidents are a serious public health issue. In the summer of 2003, 86-year-old George Russell Weller drove his car into a Santa Monica, California street market, killing 10 people and injuring numerous others (Mehren, n.p.). Weller, who appeared disoriented when he got out of his car, later told police that he had accidentally pressed on the accelerator instead of the brakes. As is usually the case when such accidents occur, politicians and public health officials began again to raise the issue of the regulation of older drivers. This paper explores the issues surrounding such regulation and concludes that there is sufficient evidence to support state-wide regular mandatory testing of older drivers as well as a significant push for alternative transportation methods for the elderly.
To put the issue of older drivers in context, it must first be noted that the problems posed by older drivers is relatively small compared with that of younger drivers, primarily because there are fewer older drivers and they drive fewer miles. However, safety analysts and planners foresee demographic changes in American society that will likely increase the risks posed by older drivers. Between 1980 and 1989, the number of traffic fatalities decreased 20 percent (Bedard, Stones, Guyatt and Hirdes, 751). However, fatalities among drivers 65 and older increased 19 percent. Moreover, census predictions suggest that as the American population ages, the number of older drivers involved in traffic accidents will increase merely because more older drivers will be on the road.
Figures from the U.S. Department of Transportation state that drivers age 70 and older make up 9 percent of the countryÆs drivers; a total of about 18.9 million drivers. Census figures predict that number will increase to more than 30 million within the next 20 years. Older drivers also are more vulnerable. The American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators...