The Canadian Medical Association Journal has been advocating a graduated licensing system for seniors. The proposed system, much like current licensing system for teenagers and new drivers, would set restrictions on when and where seniors could drive, like restricting night driving, or driving on certain highways. Seniors with a doctor's approval would be able to avoid the system.
Naturally, there are elderly people who shouldn't be able to drive. The man I saw driving the wrong way down Smith Street this winter probably should give up his license, as should all of those people who drive their age on the highway, folks in their 80s going 80km/h when the rest of the world is going the speed limit like maniacs. Those drivers are, naturally, unsafe, and should have their license either revoked or at least limited.
That's fine, but the problem most seniors will inevitably have with this system is that most seniors, are perfectly fine. They drive just as safe as anyone else, and there is no reason to take away their license just because some other people in their age group can't manage to safely pilot a vehicle. Teenagers probably know this feeling, but seniors have also been driving for decades, and are more likely to know what they're doing.
In effect, the proposal would serve to just annoy the majority of seniors, which is why it would never be implemented. That's fine, but I think that it should be put into force, and not because I think the majority of seniors actually need to be pulled off the road. No, the reason why I would argue in favor of the system is only tangentially related to driving, and that has to do with the doctor's note. Knowing more than one elderly couple where one half struggles to get their partner to the doctor, I think this is a great way to ensure that seniors actually get regular medical checkups. Since this is the age when people have increasing number of medical problems, it makes sure they can't avoid doctors.
Take those people mentioned earlier, driving down the wrong lanes or very slowly. If it's because they're having problems with their vision, it would explain the problem. If the drivers of those cars is simply putting off a trip to their local optometrist, proposed driving limitations could provide the kick in the pants needed to actually get their vision checked. In that case, they might be able to a solution to help them see better overall.
While the majority of seniors wouldn't have to worry about losing their license, it is a good idea for them to regularly visit the doctor to check other things. While the individuals might be fine with avoiding the doctor, their spouses and children would disagree with them. Since they might have difficulty on their own getting their loved one to actually visit a physician, a legal reason is a major help.
It's an elaborate system to catch out a relative minority, but it is also a way to keep people healthy overall. The reason I like the idea has very little to do with driving, but because I know many people that age who need to go to the doctors and avoid it. While I'm sure some would argue that they shouldn't be forced, when you care about someone you want to keep them as healthy as possible, whether they like it or not.
