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My grandmother in the US has severe dementia and an active drivers license. My grandfather doesn't let her drive, but legally there is nothing stopping her. It

My grandmother in the US has severe dementia and an active drivers license. My grandfather doesn't let her drive, but legally there is nothing stopping her. It terrifies me when I go to visit their retirement village because any car I pass could be a similar story. Unfortunately there is no solution because no politician in Florida is ever going to propose legislation that limits the elderly in any way.

sandworm101 7y ago
Want to be really scared? Look at how many blind people are out there driving. Being legally blind does not automatically mean you forfeit your license. Of course, this is florida. Fully blind people (aka "black-blind") are allowed to buy, own, and use guns.
- masterofpuppets 7y ago
  Read up on Carey McWilliams, he uses a sound based targeting system, is blind and is a really accomplished marksman and hunter with the technology.
vinay427 7y ago
It's not just Florida. In Switzerland, drivers licenses generally don't expire so no renewal is necessary for decades, and the age at which medical examinations are necessary was recently raised (!) from 70 to 75.
scott_s 7y ago
You or your grandfather could make a report to the DMV, or contact her doctor, who could do the same. (Googling around, a doctor's request to the DMV has special status.)
nextos 7y ago
That's pretty scary. In my home EU country, you need to pass a pretty decent medical test and a little videogame where you prove you can steer a car every 10 years to renew your license. So, for example, they will fail you if your eyesight is slightly poor and you will need to come back with a prescription and new glasses. But in other EU countries, I am aware it is like in Florida. Licenses for life or many years.
knolax 7y ago
> no politician in Florida is ever going to propose legislation that limits the elderly in any way And also because in many places in the US driving is pretty much the only way to get around. Most elderly aren't living in busy city centers with functioning public transportation systems, most of them are living in suburban communities that have no public transportation by design.
rosege 7y ago
I was talking about this with friends the other day - and here in NSW, Australia when you first get your license you get your L (learner) plates then your P (provisional) and you have to put these letters next to your numberplate so that everyone knows you are a beginner. I think we need to bring in a X plate (havent determined the letter yet) to help raise awareness to other drivers. Generally people are more patient and give more space when they see L and P plates and I think a plate for pensioners would help too.
- SenHeng 7y ago
  Japan does have a voluntary ‘I’m old’ plate which does exactly the same thing. It’s fairly common. https://ja.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/高齢運転者標識 https://ja.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/高齢運転者標識

sandworm101 7y ago

Want to be really scared? Look at how many blind people are out there driving. Being legally blind does not automatically mean you forfeit your license. Of course, this is florida. Fully blind people (aka "black-blind") are allowed to buy, own, and use guns.

masterofpuppets 7y ago
Read up on Carey McWilliams, he uses a sound based targeting system, is blind and is a really accomplished marksman and hunter with the technology.

vinay427 7y ago

It's not just Florida. In Switzerland, drivers licenses generally don't expire so no renewal is necessary for decades, and the age at which medical examinations are necessary was recently raised (!) from 70 to 75.

scott_s 7y ago

You or your grandfather could make a report to the DMV, or contact her doctor, who could do the same. (Googling around, a doctor's request to the DMV has special status.)

nextos 7y ago

That's pretty scary. In my home EU country, you need to pass a pretty decent medical test and a little videogame where you prove you can steer a car every 10 years to renew your license. So, for example, they will fail you if your eyesight is slightly poor and you will need to come back with a prescription and new glasses. But in other EU countries, I am aware it is like in Florida. Licenses for life or many years.

knolax 7y ago

> no politician in Florida is ever going to propose legislation that limits the elderly in any way And also because in many places in the US driving is pretty much the only way to get around. Most elderly aren't living in busy city centers with functioning public transportation systems, most of them are living in suburban communities that have no public transportation by design.

rosege 7y ago

I was talking about this with friends the other day - and here in NSW, Australia when you first get your license you get your L (learner) plates then your P (provisional) and you have to put these letters next to your numberplate so that everyone knows you are a beginner. I think we need to bring in a X plate (havent determined the letter yet) to help raise awareness to other drivers. Generally people are more patient and give more space when they see L and P plates and I think a plate for pensioners would help too.

SenHeng 7y ago
Japan does have a voluntary ‘I’m old’ plate which does exactly the same thing. It’s fairly common. https://ja.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/高齢運転者標識 https://ja.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/高齢運転者標識