Some elderly people stop driving themselves. Others admit that they no longer have all their reflexes, but continue to take the wheel occasionally. And then, the over 70s that have no problem … testimonies.
Those who are used to driving can no longer really do without their car. “”This is what makes me independent! “Confides Fortune, aged 66. “”I can do my shopping when I want, get out of my house and go see my grandchildren when I want without depending on anyone“, Adds the retiree, who does not really know what her daily life would be if she could no longer take the wheel. An often very useful luxury, which, for many elderly, could end.
Indeed, faced with the increase in the number of elderly drivers, several deputies of the majority want to establish a compulsory medical control from 70 years To keep your driving license. The idea is not to withdraw the right to drive, but to ensure that physical, sensory and cognitive capacities remain compatible with driving. Concretely, drivers aged 70 and over should take a medical exam every five years. This would in particular evaluate sight, hearing, reflexes and the ability to react in a stressful situation. An approved doctor would then make an opinion which may be favorable to the continuation of the driving or unfavorable, which can result in a permit suspension.
The authors of the text assure that this measure aims above all to protect the seniors themselves, often more vulnerable in the event of an accident, but also other road users. But then, what do the elderly think and are they aware of the risk they take behind the wheel? For the most part, yes. Arlette, 72, stopped driving the day she forgot to put the handbrake While his car was sloping: “I could not react, I lost all my means, and I was right on the crossroads with the national“, She testifies. Albert stopped driving the day he realized that he was uncomfortable at the wheel: “I was going to do my shopping and I finally turned around to go home”he says.
Like her, Many retirees abandon the conduct of themselvesbut some admit to the wheel occasionally. Carole, 68, is not “More comfortable driving due to a big correction in the eyes“. Result: it has not driven for two years when there is sun, if it rains, or even at night. But it admits occasionally taking the steering wheel during the day: “I live towards Bayon, in Lorraine, I don’t really have any other choice, because it’s the countryside and there is no business near my home”, she confides to us. For Lucien, who is over 85, driving is no longer possible, he no longer has all his reflexes and does not see well. He still continues to take the wheel to go down the street, buy his bread or go to the beach reaching his friends in Antibes. “”I no longer take the quick ways and I always stay on the same path by rolling slowly “he adds. For the rest, he is taken, in particular to go to his medical exams. A risk that these drivers therefore take for them, but also for other road users.
However, not all the elderly are unfit for driving and that is what is debated. “”We are not all public dangers because we advance in age“, Testimony Patrick, 71 years old, who has all his abilities to drive.”I have never had a problem on the road, I wear glasses to adapt my sight, and I am not against passing a health exam to prove that I can take the wheel“He adds. “The day a doctor tells me that it has become dangerous, so I admit and I will organize myself otherwise“He concludes wisely.
If you are close to an elderly person who encounters difficulties in driving due to the decrease in his sight, hearing or motor skills, “It is possible to overcome the deficiencies and adapt your behavior to your faculties of conduct. This can go through a leveling of driving, a discussion with a health professional, or the development of his vehicle“, Specifies road safety on its site.
