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Senior Drivers
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 The discussion on elderly drivers has been ramped up since an accident involving an 81-year-old woman put a young Manchester boy in the hospital. Some are calling for changes to the system, including keeping renewal times shorter and testing more often for vision and road aptitude, while others say that this isn't the norm and that many seniors can handle driving without any problems. We'll look at all the issues involved in senior drivers, including independence, ability and whether or not the family is willing to have that conversation with their loved one when it is time to take the keys. Laura's guests are Peter Thomson, Coordinator for the NH Highway Safety Agency and Elinor Ginzler, Director of Livable Communities for AARP.
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Adult children of dangerous elderly drivers bear a special responsibility for protecting society. An adult child is able to recognize the problem earlier, and work the system better, to prevent their demented, impaired, arrogant, drugged, and blind parent from hurting someone.
Even if the so-called right to drive is seen as a matter of personal choice, the right of society to be protected from harm trumps the right of elderly people to operate equiptment they are not qualified to operate.
Although they bear extra responsibility, adult children of dangerous drivers face unique obstacles in trying to influence their parent's behavior. An abusive parent is still abusive when they're old. A bad parent child relationship, carried into adulthood, makes a bad setting for rational decisions regarding geriatric health care and transportation.
I will spare the reader the details, but I have been through this.
Harry