Posted by  Marie Sanchez, Tampa on 04/14  at  12:25 AM

I agree with many, that this issue seems very trivial compared to the bigger issues such as drunk driving and speeding. However, I think it is best to take things one step at a time and eventually accomplish the bigger task at hand. I think right now it is easier to improve driving for the elderly than it is for younger drivers because older drivers are more willingly to comply with rules. Teenagers usually don’t like to listen to rules, and this is coming from a teenager herself.

Posted by  charles wyble, spring hill, fl on 03/31  at  11:37 AM

Driving as you age is a major problem. My wife had to take the keys away from her father a few years ago so we know how devastating it can be to lose your independence.

I found it ironic that a group of Tampa high school students were going to pitch a proposal to a Florida House committee concerning older drivers. Driving through the Tampa Bay area is like driving through a cemetary. There are roadside memorials everywhere. Your article clearly indicates that most of the memorials are not for the old timers, but for the young drivers.

I believe the problem of older people driving should be addressed. However, I believe the major problem lies with the younger people and should be addressed also.

Posted by  William Collins, Sun City Center on 03/29  at  04:44 PM

bill(HB 1337)I find this bill absurd& highly prejudical against our senior citizens of Florida.Shame on any representative who would sponser this bill!From my prospective it seems that the tail is trying to wag the dog.We are not addressing the real problems that are responsible for most of our vehical accidents.Speeding,alcohol/drugs,cell phone use & unlicensed drivers.The published study overwhelmingly depicts these age demographics & seniors are the least likely group involved in accidents.How many accidents are really caused by vision impairment?& what is to be gained by making it more difficult for Florida’s many senior citizens to renew their licenses??

Posted by  Bert Formwalt, tampa on 03/28  at  08:12 PM

I the bill for older drivers is prejudical.  As the data states that the increased accidents and fatalities are among the novice drivers.  The consider some of the European requirements for a driver’s license, especially Germany’s.  Consider a psychological test to find the anger in the younger drivers from 16 through 50.  Maybe this would reduce a more serious problem, “road rage.” Consider making the use of cellphones while driving illegal if they are hand-held.  While I walking in Forest Hills, I have seen many students driving though this neighborhood, speeding, using one hand to drive and talking on a cellphone.  The consideration should be safety not dislike of older people.  What next, “Soilent Green?”

Posted by  HAROLD LEE, 37061 U S 19-N PALM HARBOR 34684 on 03/28  at  07:14 PM

FOR ANY STATE TO SINGLE OUT OLDER DRIVERS, THAT WOULD BE AGE DESCRIMANATION. 
IF YOU LOOK AT THE CRASH RATE CHART
ON A PERCENTAGE, THE OLDER DRIVERS
HAVE THE BEST RECORD.  MAYBE WE SHOULD
TAKE ALL DRIVERS UNDER 40 YEARS OLD
OFF THE STREETS, SAME LOGIC.
I HAVE SAID BEFORE WE NEED TO REQUIRE
ALL DRIVERS TO HAVE COMPLETE PHYSICALS.
IF IT IS LEGAL FOR PILOTS & TRUCK DRIVERS, IT WOULD BE FOR ALL.

Posted by  Noah Vail, Aripeka FL on 03/28  at  01:09 PM

This is a misleading study.  To be accurate you would have base the study on actual driving hours and miles, as well as time of day and driving conditions.

To illustrate.  I have logged between 30,000 and 50,000 local miles/year all through my 30’s.  I have to drive in every traffic and weather condition and time of day. 

A senior may opt to stay home except when the weather is nice and may drive less than 1000 local miles a year. 

Although a few exceptional seniors may drive more, those exceptions are fewer as they age.

I belive a study based on miles driven would paint a very different picture.

NV

Posted by  Vince Sorrentino, Spring Hill, FL 34609 on 03/28  at  12:55 PM

The crash rates for Florida drivers by age group are interesting. I draw quite a different conclusion than the sages at the Tampa Tribune who seem to support “tougher vision standards or additional driving tests as they age.” The worst divers are in the 15-19 age group with a rate a more that twice of those 85 and over.
  At 5 year intervals the crash rates deminish with the lowest rate for the 65-69 group. If you extend the graph I estimate the crash rate will again reach that of the 15-19 group at age 140 plus.
  It seems the critical problem here is not age but something else. It seems to me it’s only fair all drivers should face tougher standards that perhaps should include mental attitude?

Posted by  sandra powers, 1866 s wilburn dr, avon park on 03/28  at  12:50 PM

i have learned quitely to enjoy the elder folks in this area, soon in the days ahead to join them.  yes, they are maybe extra careful - but be paitient with them.  you should not be in a hurry in this area anyway - it aint like you dont know they exist.  accomodate travel time to accept this fact and dont worry about changing it - they wont quit driving and shouldnt, but maybe need more monitoring test driving more frequently.  cant stand road rage and it sure doesnt belong in an area where the seasoned resident cant enjoy ‘every’ drive to wherever they may be going.

Posted by  Robert A Holcombe, Tampa, FL on 03/28  at  12:34 PM

I’ve been driving since I was 16. I’m
now 76 and have NEVER had an accident.
The younger driver’s of today do not
always obey the traffic laws. Driving is a privlege. I see daily, younger drivers not following the “Rules Of the Road” Why should the older driver’s
be punished, if they didn’t cause the
accident? “WAKE UP” you younger driver’s and obey the Laws Of The Road.

Posted by  Susan Hubbard, Tampa, FL on 03/28  at  12:15 PM

With all due respect Mr. Cooper, if the older drivers in our area would pay more attention to their driving instead of what the rest of “us” are doing, I might not have been hit 3 times by elderly drivers. 

I would glady take an eye test every year and I’m not elderly, just to be sure that I’m not a danger to myself or anyone else.

Posted by  Shannon Kenneth North, Tampa on 03/28  at  11:48 AM

Maybe Able (R) Lutz & Crist (R) Tampa are too old to legislate.  I think we should give them a test (to see if there dy-functional) since they rely on high school children to submit stupid Bills for them.  Maybe we should turn our legislature over to sixteen years olds since they know everything!

Posted by  David Cooper, Tampa on 03/28  at  10:47 AM

The conclusion that older drivers are not involved in accidents but only cause them is preposterous and very distastefull to those of us in the elder community. Younger drivers refuse to obey traffic laws and as such pass elders doing the speed limit. Also, younger drivers pass by changing 2 or more lanes from the curb or turn lane. Over the last 2 weeks alone, several drivers were arrested for DUI manslaughter! Most of them were young women “AND” none of them was a senior citizen! I would not object to an eye exam yearly “BUT” only if young drivers submitted to random drug tests! I would also request cameras at major intersections to cite red light runners! There again, I doubt there would be many seniors cited if ANY!

Posted by  Mr. Francis Welch, Spring Hill FL on 03/28  at  10:45 AM

Interesting article. It baffles me why the students and your reporters took a good look at older drivers and ignored the younger drivers.
If one takes the time to consider all the data, crash rates and insurance statistics one would find exactly what the Tribune Graphics of this morning (March 28th)validates: the younger the driver the greater the incidence of accidents.
Question: Why did the students decide to do this study, what was academic resoning, why did they choose to ignore the younger driver’s auto crash ratio’s and validate the same “theory” that older means worse?

Posted by  Kelli Woodson, Tampa, Fl on 03/28  at  10:24 AM

I made an apt. for a new DL in Pinellas County in 1999.  There was a very frail elderly gentleman taking the vision test.  As he was looking through the machine, he kept saying he could not see very well. Then it was time to flash the peripheral lights on each side for the test.  He said could not see them.  The administrator said, “Just guess! You have a 50/50 chance!” 
They passed this man.  He then went up to the counter when his DL was finished & told him, “See in 6 years!”     
I was 22 years old then & I really did not think about the consequences of this man on the road.
Now that I am married and have a child, I worry about people not fit to drive!
I regret I did not file a complaint to this office on that day.

Posted by  Ronald Morrow, Valrico, Fl on 03/28  at  10:15 AM

I firmly believe that positive steps should be taken to identify those who present a risk driving any vehicle. I propose that every driver age 65 and over must appear to get their drivers license renewed. Yet with the emphasis on the elderly why is there less emphasis on the driving habits of 15 - 29 year groups since they have a higher number of crashes? As the teenagers have banned together to make recommendations on senior citizens maybe the senior citizens should likewise provide suggestions to the legislature on teenage/youthful drivers.

Posted by  Robert Fentz, Clearwater on 03/28  at  10:13 AM

I think this statement is rather vague, I think the crash stats. should involve the miles driven, and or hours on the road, the stats way sway some then ....and that’s the state highway too,  I REALLY THINK IT"S PAINTING A LESS THEN PRECISE PICTURE!........just a thought!.........Crash studies paint conflicting pictures of elderly drivers. In 2004, the Florida crash rate for drivers in their 80s and older was lower than the rate for drivers in their 30s, state highway department statistics show.

Posted by  Susan Hubbard, Tampa, FL on 03/28  at  09:14 AM

All I can say is that I have been in 3 accidents the past 3 years and every time, I was hit by an older person who was either disoriented or didn’t see me.  The last time, the lady took out the drivers side of my car.  Her excuse?  She had none.  She asked me for directions to where she was going AFTER she hit me.  I know this is just one person and it shouldn’t categorize everyone.  However, I say you can drive as slow as you want….just stay out of the fast lane.

Posted by  Michelle Watson, Pinellas Park on 03/28  at  09:10 AM

That’s because they only cause the accidents.  If they’re not involved in them, they keep on going, oblivious to the poor souls they’ve left behind.

Posted by  MARGARET MYERS, Tampa 33615 on 03/28  at  05:46 AM

I am 73 - I have been driving since I was 15 and NEVER had an accident.  I admit I drove faster in my early years, however at 73 I do NOT have to be anywhere to drive fast.  I drive the speed limit (AND get passed by every car within miles of me)  If they would only realize “it is only minutes.” (Something I did not realize in my young years)  And drivers should ask themselves “What is the worst thing that can happen IF I am a few minutes late.” 
The last few years my friend (who is 75)and I have driven to San Francisco and back, stopping over in Minnesota - driving over 5000 miles and never had an accident.  I would not object to a driving test at any age.