How old is too old to drive? Georgia has some strict guidelines for elder drivers

Jul. 25—While there are many laws outlining how young is too young to participate in things, the law gets murkier as you get older.

In Georgia, there is not a specific cutoff age for driving or having a license. However, older drivers aren't left completely to their own devices.

According to Southern General Insurance Company "any operator over the age of 79" is considered an unacceptable risk for underwriting new insurance policies, unless "we receive a statement of physical condition signed by a physician."

Additional state requirements

Drivers over 60 years old must renew their licenses every five years, which is shorter than the eight years for younger drivers, according to the legal encyclopedia, Nolo. Other requirements may include:

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Vision screenings at five-year renewals

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Additional written and road tests may be administered if their appears to be impairment

The Georgia Department of Driver Services also has the right to enact some common restrictions, based on the results of the additional tests:

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No driving on interstates

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Restricting driving to daylight hours

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Prohibiting passengers in the vehicle

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Requiring the use of bioptic lenses when driving

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Limiting driving to automatic vehicles only

It is important to note that DDS will accept requests from family, law enforcement officers or physicians to evaluate a driver's ability to drive if the individual seems unfit medically or mentally.

What are the numbers about drivers over the age of 65?

State requirements and insurance guidelines involving the elderly are most likely a result of the accidents associated with drivers 65 or older. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reveals some startling statistics about the 47.8 million people (roughly 15% of the United States population) who are 65 and older:

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This sect of the population accounts for 18% of traffic accidents

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3,859 older drivers were killed in a year

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In that same year, 828 passengers died in the vehicle of an elderly driver.

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1,158 pedestrians were killed in by vehicles driven by older drivers

The Insurance Information Institute suggests that the fatalities and injuries in the population of drivers is a direct result of their increased susceptibility to injuries and diminished reflexes and vision. Even though this segment of drivers is significantly lower than younger drivers, "older drivers are keeping their licenses longer and driving more miles than in the past."

What are the leading causes of accidents in older drivers in Georgia?

The majority of accidents involving the elderly are a result of a few circumstances, cites Atlanta law office The Champion Firm :

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Improper turns

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Failure to yield

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Driving the wrong way

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Distracted driving

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Pressing the gas pedal instead of the brake

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Speeding

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Failure to signal

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Erratic driving

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Impaired driving

For every mile a person over 75 drives, they are more likely than any other driving population (except teenagers) to be injured or killed in a car wreck.

How can you help your senior loved one?

However, "the challenge facing the transportation community is how to provide the elderly with easy mobility, while at the same time protecting them from the risks they face from driving," says Issues in Science and Technology Magazine.

Although it can be very awkward, and even heartbreaking to confront your loved one about their driving, it could be a matter of life or death. The solution involves a combination of evaluation, education and providing alternatives.

Encourage your older driver to get evaluated by doctors, take certified driver safety course designed especially for their age group or introduce them to ride share apps or public transportation.

This can be a fairly sticky subject to approach. Do you have any recommendations or suggestions? Sound off in the comments, or you can email me or find me on Instagram.

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