Check the current population pyramid of North America. There are much, much more people in the 17-25 range. So yes, they do have more accidents, but if we scale the accidents down to the same population number, the seniors still win the title. Also, 17-25 accidents are dominated by DUIs and reckless driving, which can be prevented. Senior accidents are dominated by heart attacks and strokes, which can hardly be prevented effectively.
So we are going to start prosecuting and wasting money on someone who obviously did this by accident and who is likely to die within 5 years? Yeah, it's a risk, I think what they should do is start making mandatory tests for drivers older than 65. Sending an 86 year old man to prison almost seems ruthless.
Yeah thats a good point. Mandatory drivers test after the age of 60 might be a good suggestion. Not all states would apply. Rural areas wouldn't need to bother with such a rule. But the larger cities, with more senior citizens, with more needing glasses every year a long with health problems that can happen over night ... maybe re-testing every 5 years after the age of 60. Either way, I don't see the older folks getting regulated any time soon. It would probably come up in the local ballots and be shot down by voters over 50 real quick like. In 30 years I'm going to be 63, wonder if they're going to let me keep driving
If senior drivers are incapable, then obviously they shouldn't. After they get to around say the age of 65 they should be tested every few years to see if they're still capable. An old friend of my dad's is 80 years old and he's a perfect driver.