I recently read a news article about an 85 year old woman who accidentally ran over a 12 year old child resulting in the child’s death. The driver was pulling into a parking space and confused the gas and brake pedals.  She stepped on the  accelerator pedal instead of the brake pedal, then panicked and pressed the accelerator pedal harder.

This unfortunate story should lead us to question how we balance safety and mobility for older drivers. But first let me share an experience that has stuck with me for several decades.

A Cautionary Tale

Forty-five years ago, when I was 30, I got a job as a mechanic in Palm Springs, which is a well known retirement area. So of course, many of our customers were elderly people. I soon noticed a pattern with these customers — many would ask me to check their lights — in addition to the reason they had brought their car to our shop. 

They would ask me to check their lights every single time they brought their vehicle in. I had been a mechanic for close to 15 years and this was something new for me.

So one day I asked one of my customers why he wanted his lights checked every single time he came to our shop. His answer was enlightening . . .

“I don’t want to get stopped by the police and lose my driver’s license.”

This answer has stuck with me over the decades and I often think about it. Not about losing a Driver’s License, but what a vehicle means to many people and especially the elderly. 

Some of these elderly customers did have to quit driving. Often it was their adult children or other family members who interceded by forcibly taking away their vehicle. And sadly sometimes resulting in a diminished quality of life by restricting the independence a vehicle can provide.

Freedom and Independence

Owning a car or truck can provide us the means to go where we want, when we want. 

I suppose to those who live in cities and rely on public transportation might not understand this. I have spent most of my adult live NOT living in or near a big city, so owning a vehicle has been mandatory. For 50+ years I have pretty much backpacked and camped without much planning. When I want to go, I just go. Trips to the mountains of California and the deserts of the southwest are usually spur of the moment decisions, even when Joyce and I had full-time jobs. A SUV or Truck has provided the means to this easy mobility.

There may come a time when I am no longer able to safely operate a vehicle. How will I know? How will government know? Should government have a say about it?

Balancing Safety and Mobility: How States Handle Older Drivers

For many Americans, driving represents freedom, independence, and dignity. This is especially true for older adults, many of whom rely on their vehicles to shop for groceries, attend medical appointments, visit friends, and maintain an active lifestyle. Yet as drivers age, states face a growing challenge: how to protect public safety without unfairly limiting mobility for older citizens.

The issue is becoming more important every year. America’s population is aging rapidly, and more seniors are keeping their driver’s licenses longer than previous generations. Millions of drivers over age 70 remain active on the road today, and that number is expected to rise significantly over the next two decades.

The result is a delicate balancing act between safety concerns and personal independence.

Not only are more seniors on the road, but the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety’s data shows drivers aged 70-79 are one of the safer groups when it comes to crashes. However, for ages 80 and above it changes dramatically. ^[1]

 Why Older Drivers Receive Special Attention

Aging does not automatically make someone a dangerous driver. In fact, many older motorists are among the safest and most cautious people on the road. They are less likely to speed, drive aggressively, or take unnecessary risks.

However, aging can bring physical and cognitive changes that may affect driving ability, including:

• Reduced vision and night vision
• Slower reaction times
• Limited neck or joint mobility
• Hearing loss
• Medication side effects
• Cognitive decline or memory impairment

States recognize that these issues can increase crash risk under certain conditions, especially at intersections, during nighttime driving, or in heavy traffic.

At the same time, losing the ability to drive can have serious consequences for seniors. Studies have linked driving cessation to increased isolation, depression, reduced physical activity, and even earlier entry into assisted living facilities.

Because of this, most states try to avoid blanket age restrictions. Instead, they focus on identifying unsafe drivers while preserving mobility for those who can still drive safely.

Different States Use Different Approaches

Driver licensing laws for older adults vary widely across the United States. Some states impose additional requirements after a certain age, while others treat all drivers the same regardless of age.

More Frequent License Renewals

One of the most common approaches is shortening the renewal period for older drivers.

For example, a younger driver may renew a license every ten years, while drivers over 70 may need to renew every five years. The idea is simple: more frequent renewals allow states to monitor changes in driving ability more closely. This is what California does.

This approach is relatively non-invasive and gives licensing agencies more opportunities to identify potential problems before a serious crash occurs.

Vision Testing Requirements

Many states require older drivers to pass more frequent vision exams. Vision problems are among the most common age-related driving issues, particularly difficulty with glare, peripheral vision, and low-light conditions.

Some states require in-person renewal after a certain age specifically so vision can be tested at the DMV. Others allow eye exams from private optometrists or physicians.

In some cases, drivers may receive restrictions rather than losing their license entirely. Common restrictions include:

• Daylight-only driving
• Corrective lenses required
• Geographic limitations
• Lower-speed road restrictions

These limitations allow seniors to continue driving under safer conditions instead of removing driving privileges altogether.

In California a vision test is required every 5 years starting at age 70.

Road Tests and Medical Reviews

A small number of states require road tests for drivers above a certain age, though this remains controversial. Critics argue that mandatory road testing based solely on age can be discriminatory because many older drivers remain highly competent.

More commonly, states use medical review systems. Family members, physicians, law enforcement officers, or DMV employees may report concerns about a driver’s ability. The state can then require medical documentation, additional testing, or a driving evaluation.

This targeted approach focuses on functional ability rather than chronological age.

Physicians Play a Growing Role

Doctors increasingly find themselves caught between patient confidentiality and public safety concerns.

Some states require physicians to report patients with medical conditions that could impair driving, while others merely allow voluntary reporting. Conditions that may trigger concern include dementia, seizures, severe vision impairment, or loss of consciousness.

Many physicians prefer gradual interventions rather than immediately recommending license suspension. They may encourage patients to:

• Avoid nighttime driving
• Stay off freeways
• Reduce long-distance trips
• Drive only familiar routes

These strategies can extend safe driving years while reducing risk.

Technology Is Changing the Conversation

Modern vehicle technology may help older adults remain safe drivers longer than previous generations.

Features such as:

• Automatic emergency braking
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Lane departure warnings
• Adaptive cruise control
• Backup cameras
• Cross-traffic alerts

can compensate for some age-related limitations.

Advanced driver assistance systems are increasingly viewed as tools that improve both safety and independence for seniors. In some cases, these technologies may delay the need to stop driving altogether.

However, technology also introduces new challenges. Complex infotainment systems, touchscreens, and electronic controls can overwhelm some older drivers, particularly those unfamiliar with rapidly changing vehicle interfaces.

The Emotional Side of Driving Retirement

Few life transitions are as emotionally difficult as giving up driving.

For many older adults, surrendering a license feels like losing autonomy. Adult children often struggle with the decision as well, especially when safety concerns conflict with a parent’s desire for independence.

Experts generally recommend approaching the issue gradually and respectfully rather than through confrontation. Open conversations, driving evaluations, and alternative transportation planning can help reduce conflict.

Communities that offer reliable public transit, senior shuttles, ride-sharing programs, and walkable neighborhoods make the transition easier. Unfortunately, many rural and suburban areas still lack realistic transportation alternatives.

Finding the Right Balance

States continue searching for policies that protect the public without unfairly targeting older adults. The challenge is complicated because aging affects everyone differently. One 85-year-old may drive flawlessly, while another may struggle significantly at 70.

Most experts agree that functional ability matters far more than age alone.

The best systems focus on identifying unsafe driving behaviors and medical impairments while preserving mobility for seniors who remain capable behind the wheel.

As America’s population ages, the debate will only intensify. But one thing is clear: safe mobility is about more than transportation. It is closely tied to independence, health, and quality of life.

Finding the right balance between safety and freedom may become one of the most important transportation issues of the coming decades.

My Approach

Let’s face it. As we get older our physical and cognitive abilities decline. These changes are usually very gradual and we may not be aware how much they have changed. 

I don’t want to keep my driver’s license for as long as possible, but I do want to continue driving as long as I am a safe driver for my family and others on the road. It is especially important to note that most of my driving entails towing a travel trailer. Combined with the weight of our F-250 Ford Super Duty, I am driving a combination that weighs over 15,000 lbs. Given the average vehicle on the road weighs under 5,000 lbs., our combined weight could do much damage in a crash. Because of this I operate under the safest conditions, trying to avoid the environmental and human factors that increase the odds of a vehicle accident.

We’re retired, so we can pick and choose when and where we drive without the restraints and pressures a job place on leisure time away from work.

Where: We mostly avoid heavy traffic. We can usually avoid large cities by taking secondary roads, often opting for routes in mostly rural areas. As a matter of fact, the rural roads are part of the adventure.

When: We travel during the day. I hate setting up a campsite at night anyway. If we need to drive through a large city such as parts of Los Angeles, we will drive during the hours of least congestion. Several years ago when I started to develop cataracts, they impacted my night vision, so I stopped driving at night. Since my cataract surgery my night vision is fabulous, but I have continued to stick to daytime driving when towing our trailer. It is just more enjoyable and easier to drive during daylight hours.

Weather: I try to avoid driving in poor weather. This often can be accomplished by adjusting our travel schedule. In rain, I drive a little slower with greater distance between me and the vehicles ahead. Usually if we are driving in rainy conditions, we are on a rural road with little or no traffic. 

Speed: In California the maximum speed for any vehicle towing a trailer is 55 mph on any road, to include freeways. I always follow this law. I also always drive at or below the speed limit on any road. When in other states I never drive faster than 55, even if it is allowed when towing — keeping on less traveled roads and not interfering with faster traffic. I stay in the slow (right) lane and use pull-outs when needed to allow faster vehicles to pass.

Distractions: I don’t talk on my cell phone. If someone calls, I’ll call back later or pull off the road if it is an important call. We do use a navigation system, which Joyce is in charge of so I don’t have to take my eyes off the road. She is also in charge of the radio.

Driving Time: I like to limit a day’s travel to 400 miles or 8 hours, whichever comes first. Plus we will stop every 2-3 hours for a restroom and stretching break.

[1] AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, Rates of Motor Vehicle Crashes, Injuries and Deaths in Relation to Driver Age, United States, 2014-2015