The Age of Driving

He washed the car, then sat behind the wheel, silently staring out the windshield.

It broke my mom's heart, but she knew it was the right thing to take away his keys.

My dad had blown through a stop sign because he got tired of waiting and almost had an accident. That's when my mom had the conversation with him.

"If we got into an crash and we were seriously injured, that would be one thing. But if I let you get behind the wheel, and you injured or killed someone else, I could never forgive myself."

This was in the early stages of my dad's Alzheimer's. It was difficult but necessary.

Years later, my mom would come to us and say she was having a hard time distinguishing between the red and green on the traffic signal. It was her way of telling us she knew it was time for her to become a permanent passenger.

I read in the news today that an 88-year-old woman killed a young girl who was walking along the road. There is a hue and cry on social media for getting all old people off the road. Lots of young people saying things like anyone over the age of 70 needs to hand in their keys.

Hold on there, Tonto.

I have long been an advocate of retesting people over, say, the age of 75. I believe there should be something more than an eye test, something that checks the reflexes of older drivers. And, if they can't pass the test, their license should be revoked. However, just because someone reaches an advanced age, it does not mean they are no longer able to drive. Doubtless, there are drivers of an advanced age who are still perfectly able to operate a motor vehicle. Age alone should not be the determining factor.

Conversely, I believe we need to do a better job with young drivers. This is a controversial idea, but I believe 18 should be the minimum age for operating a vehicle. And that we need to do a more comprehensive job of teaching young folks how to drive. Putting someone behind the wheel and telling them to "go" isn't enough. Practical on-the-road experience is vital, but defensive driving skills are also essential, and I definitely think we could do better.

Distracted driving is the primary cause in many accidents. The cell phone has certainly added another layer of opportunity for mayhem, but it's not the only contributing factor. Other passengers (friends, small children, dogs) can cause the driver to lose concentration. As can fiddling with the car's controls or audio system. Or eating. Or spilling hot coffee. Or applying makeup or brushing hair. I'm sure insurance adjusters have heard it all.

I don't ever get behind the wheel of a car without a little frisson of apprehension. The "what-ifs" volley through my brain like a bullet train. I remind myself that my car is built to take me where I need to go, but it is also a big, heavy object capable of inflicting injury. Also, I cannot control what other drivers do, so my life depends on them doing the right thing, too.

All in all, I'd rather be chauffeured.

But until I win the lottery, or until I'm no longer able to drive, I'll have my hands at the 10 and 2 position.

And, although I may be singing along with Patsy Cline or Carole King, my attention at all times, has gotta be on the road (again).