Driving Ability

Nowhere is the ambiguity surrounding the older-driver issue better demonstrated than in attempts to identify who is old. As people age, their physical, mental, and cognitive capacities begin to change. In addition, age-related diseases, and the medicines used to treat those conditions, may also affect capacity. Figure 1 illustrates some of the systematic changes that tend to affect people, to varying degrees, as they age. Within this context, the discussion of older-driver safety arises. Are older people mentally and physically capable to drive? In most cases, the answer is a resounding "yes."