Jackie Krevitz Persuasive Essay English 138T Professor Pisani Babich An Issue We Must Address On October 1, 2012, my cousin,

a 27-year-old father of two, was riding his motorcycle home to his fianc when an elderly couple, driving the wrong way down Street Road, collided with him head on. He died instantly. Everyone should have the privilege to drive themselves wherever they need to go. However, we should prioritize the safety of our citizens over the convenience of cars. Allowing anyone to operate a vehicle without ensuring that they are fit to do so endangers innocent lives. As representatives of the AARP, you stand up for the senior citizens of this country. You make sure that the government does not pass ageist laws, as the elderly should not be denied the basic rights that the many other citizens of this country receive without question. However, driving is not a right it is a privilege. The lenient driving laws in this country cause an unsafe environment for anyone on the road, whether teenagers, middle aged patrons, or senior citizens. I beg you to change your stance on the driving laws in this country and to support stricter standards for drivers of all ages in order to protect all United States citizens. Though driving laws geared towards senior citizens seem to target them unfairly, many independent studies have shown that, as one ages, their risk of fatal accidents increases greatly due mostly to medical complications after accidents (Older Drivers, Elderly Drivers, Seniors at the Wheel). In 2008 alone, more 5,500 senior drivers double the numbers for teen drivers died and more than 183,000 suffered injuries as a

result of vehicle crashes (Older Drivers, Elderly Drivers, Seniors at the Wheel). Although drivers age 65 and over make up only 9% of the population, they account for 14% of all traffic fatalities and 17% of all pedestrian fatalities (Older Drivers, Elderly Drivers, Seniors at the Wheel). Our countrys lenient driving laws allow for freedom of our senior citizens, but they do more harm than good. In order to uphold your mission to provide security, protection, and empowerment to older persons, you must come to the realization that allowing incapable drivers to stay on the road detrimentally affects the senior population (Get More Information). As one ages, many medical conditions arise that can affect driving ability. Arthritis, cataracts, glaucoma, hip or knee problems, dementia, and strokes all strike older citizens more frequently than younger ones, and have detrimental effects on driving abilities (Saisan). These medical conditions make it not only unsafe for the driver of the vehicle but also anyone else on the road. Slower reflexes as one ages also increases the risk of accidents (A Quick Look at Reflexes). An 85-year-old man killed my cousin, Eric, and the courts charged him with vehicular homicide, reckless endangerment, and involuntary manslaughter because of this (Mohan). If we had stricter medical standards for drivers of all ages, this never would have occurred. This man would not be incarcerated, and Eric would still be alive. Though many drivers choose to get themselves tested, the government does not require medical testing. If we implemented a system for finding high-risk drivers, we could avoid accidents caused by medical conditions. A few years ago, a 64-year-old man had a stroke while he was driving down my street, a windy, steep hill. He ended up on my lawn and almost drove his car into the creek behind my house but managed to swerve just in time. He then drove over three lawns, and found his way back onto the

road when the police pulled him over for reckless driving. Luckily, he did not hurt anyone, and after a trip to the hospital he made a full recovery. Not everyone has the same luck. If we can identify high-risk drivers for strokes or heart attacks, or even drivers with failing hearing and eyesight, we can avoid vehicle mishaps. Drivers should be required to pass a physical before renewing their licenses, and the physical should become more in depth as the drivers age. This will keep not only the drivers, but also everyone around them, safe. Drivers of any age tend to neglect what they had previously learned when they originally passed their driving test very quickly after obtaining their license. Even though I passed my drivers test but two years ago, I would not trust myself to Parallel Park on a crowded street; I know very few people who come to a full three-second-stop at every stop sign. As we age, we make up our own standards for the road, and the strict rules we learned as 16-year-old new drivers fade into guidelines. This results in many reckless drivers who fail to follow even the most basic of driving rules, endangering pedestrians, fellow drivers, and themselves. The lack of careful drivers poses a threat to all citizens, and contributes to the high mortality rate of elderly drivers. Their preexisting conditions, along with a longer healing time, makes accidents more detrimental to them. By vying for a re-testing system for drivers every few times they renew their licenses, you will help save lives. As the AARP, you dedicate yourselves to enhancing quality of life for all as we age. We need to implement new driving laws in order to keep our roads safe, and we need your help to do this. Though the safety of our citizens presides over all, the loss of freedom due to not having a license could upset many drivers. However, a new life without driving can mean many positive changes for a senior citizen. For example, biking or walking to

close by destinations for seniors gives many health benefits such as energy boosts, improved sleeping patterns, and reversing signs of aging (Injury Prevention and Control). Many other modes of transportation such as public transit, private drivers, or carpooling can get former drivers to their destinations in a cost-effective manner, and can even cost less than owning a car did. Giving up ones license might hinder a patron at first, but eventually has its benefits. The idea to implement a safer driving system in the US is not a new one. For example, in California any driver involved in a fatal crash, or three crashes in one year, must retake their drivers test. As well, drivers over 70 must retake their test if they get into two crashes in one year (Older Drivers, Elderly Drivers, Seniors at the Wheel). However, this policy addresses retaking the test after the accident after the damage. Preemptive testing will prevent these accidents from even taking place. Pennsylvania has a law as well that mandates physicians to report disabilities that could affect driving ability (Older Drivers, Elderly Drivers, Seniors at the Wheel). Despite this law, many physicians feel pressure from their patients not to report them, as it would jeopardize their relationship with the patient. This law also requires the patient to take the initiative to get themselves checked out, which does not always occur (Older Drivers, Elderly Drivers, Seniors at the Wheel). We need to propose legislation that requires drivers of all ages to retake their driving test and get physicals every few years to keep our roads safe. Though we do not want to restrict the freedom of our senior citizens, we must act soon to push legislation through. If we wait, the accident and fatality rates for senior citizens will only increase. Due to the baby boomers reaching 65 years and older, we have triple the senior citizens on the road than we have had in the past. As I mentioned

before, the fatality rate of senior drivers is much higher than for any other demographic. With more elderly drivers on the road, driving fatalities will only increase. The slower reflexes, failing hearing, and impaired sight of many senior citizens also will cause many accidents. We need to keep our drivers safe, whether 17 years old or 70. If you join the fight for safer roads and we pass new driving laws, the crash and fatality rates due to accidents will drastically decrease. Together, we will save thousands of flives.

Works Cited

"A Quick Look at Reflexes." A Quick Look at Reflexes. 01 Apr. 2013 <http://www.yalemedicalgroup.org/stw/Page.asp?PageID=STW001803>. Doheny, Kathleen. "Assessing Elderly Drivers: Ability Means More Than Age." Edmunds. N.p., 13 Nov. 2012. Web. 01 Apr. 2013. <http://www.edmunds.com/car-safety/assessingelderly-drivers-ability-means-more-than-age.html>. "Get More Information." AARP. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Apr. 2013. <http://www.aarp.org/aboutaarp/>. "Injury Prevention & Control - Motor Vehicle Safety." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 31 Jan. 2013. Web. 23 Mar. 2013. <http://www.cdc.gov/Motorvehiclesafety/Older_Adult_Drivers/adultdrivers_factsheet.html> Mohan, Jennifer. "Elderly Warminster Man Charged in Deadly Motorcycle Accident." Warminster Patch. N.p., 4 Jan. 2013. Web. 30 Mar. 2013. <http://warminster.patch.com/articles/elderly-warminster-man-charged-indeadly-motorcycle-accident-c85d0be3>. "Medical Conditions That Can Affect Your Driving." Medical Conditions That Can Affect Your Driving. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Apr. 2013. <http://www.asyouage.com/Medical_Conditions_That_Can_Affect_Your_Drivi ng.html>. "Older Drivers, Elderly Driving, Seniors at the Wheel." Older Drivers, Elderly Driving, Seniors at the Wheel. Smart Motorist, n.d. Web. 01 Apr. 2013. <http://www.cdc.gov/Motorvehiclesafety/Older_Adult_Drivers/adultdrivers_factsheet.html>. Saisan, Joanna, M.S.W, Monika While, Ph.D, and Lawrence Robinson. "Senior Driving." Safety Tips, Warning Signs, and Knowing When to Stop. N.p., Dec. 2012. Web. 01 Apr. 2013. <http://www.helpguide.org/elder/senior_citizen_driving.htm>