Should there be an age limit for driving licenses?

Tuesday 07th April, 07:48 AM JST

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Tokyopete at 07:56 PM JST - 7th April

It seems that "Telecasterplayer" and "Jesssicaaa" either don't understand the regs in Japan or my poor English didn't make sense. 1. All drivers have to be retested in Japan at the age of 65. 2. Over 70 requires special driving lessons and exam driving cars in a controlled environment such as special learner driving schools where the testers are available. One whole day on lectures and films followed by the 2nd day out on the course showing your ability to drive according to the regulations. These regs are identical for ALL drivers BUT there is an extra course and exam for those who have got to 65 plus. their licences are also reduced to a 3 yr periond of validity instead of the 5 year period for younger drivers. A much stricter than average eyesight test is included and if your licence includes 18 hwseelers etc. then you have additional eyesight tests such as depth perception. A moving vertical rod which has to be stopped within one cm. of the central point. Ordinary car drivers don't have this test which is a pity as I suspect many would fail it. All motorcycle riders should definitely have to pass this test as it would reduce the number of crashes caused by bike riders pulling out to ovetake a car etc. and misjudging the car speed etc. If the rider is lucky is gets away with a few scrapes and bumps. Unlucky he gets to be dead as the truck he swerved in front of fails to stop in time. Seen that more than once, unfortunately. By the way, we oldsters don't have to retake the standard driving test at 65. It is a special test designed for the elders among us. I could tell you some really gory tales about crashes which would make you want to throw up and would certainly change your attitude towards driving. Most drivers are not very good but ALL drivers think they are secretly F1 drivers in disguise. They would be very surprised to see how gently the pro drive/ride on the open road. Reporting other drivers to the police is one way to go but one will need to remember that you too may get reported. In any case, exactly when do you think you are going to view the film in the camera? When you are driving along? After you get home? Personally, I have a rear view camera fitted so I can make sure there isn't a small child playing or standing behind my van when I back up. Easier to park as well is a bonus. And don't forget, young man or lady, you can be reported just as easily as us old fogies and you would get the cops all over you if several drivers put you on the spot. How do you know how good your driving is? Those of us who have been involved in racing may have a much clearer understanding of our ability, relexes, stamina etc. as we've really tested them out. 260kph is quite quick when it's raining and your car is aquaplaning on top of the water on the road. Been there, done that. Anyway, let's give the other drivers a wide berth and assume they will do comethink silly. That way, it dooesn't come as a horrible shock causing a spastic reaction which will get you into a position of "Oh dear!!!" there are other four letter words to describe the feeling and the ensuing frantic reactions to avoid the crunch heading you way. Have a lovely week, enjoy your driving or riding.
realist at 09:38 PM JST - 7th April

If there is to be an age limit, it should be for the young and not the older. Young drivers cause the most accidents. People should not be allowed to drive until they are 25 years old, sor a start. As an older person, I resent the tone of this article, which only seems to imply and consider an older limit, and not a younger one. Older people usually are very sensible and safe drivers, and it is the young who cause most of the accidents. I was a crazy driver myself when I was younger, but over time, I have learned self discipline and common sense.
uberloser at 10:22 PM JST - 7th April

The last time I was at the licensing center, the oldie in front of me was taking the vision test... "up?", "no", "Right?", "No", "left?", "that's right, here's your license".

How about just putting some diligent cops on the roads?

If they limit elderly drivers, who's going top man the taxis of death?
uberloser at 10:22 PM JST - 7th April

who's going to man the taxis of death?
jessssicaaa at 10:35 PM JST - 7th April

tokyopete, i mainly ment what i said by thinking of my counrty i suppose i forgot it was about japan ;S lol

but yes i did read and understand what you said ^_^
PaulieWalnuts at 10:54 PM JST - 7th April

yes, at 75 license revoked.
ca1ic0cat at 12:05 AM JST - 8th April

In Japan having a driver's license isn't as big a deal because you have a good mass transit system. In a lot of other countries not having a license means you are stuck at home. You have to cut the geezers some slack.

Still, age isn't the thing. It's the ravages of time. That doesn't require an age limit, it requires more frequent testing. It might also require a tiered license system where some drivers are not allowed onto high speed highways. Both are going to cost money. Is the system so busted now that it is worth the price to fix it? I don't know that it is.
Badge213 at 01:49 AM JST - 8th April

Because there are some old people that are still sane and about even at old ages, there should be somesort of sanity test or ability test for those 60 and over renewed annually.
l0zerth at 04:05 AM JST - 8th April

In the USA, drivers licenses are administered at the state level, so details vary from state to state, but for most of the US, all you have to do to renew your license at any age is show up at the Dept. Motor Vehicles with identification every 5 to 10 years.
Personally I believe that you should be required to take the written exam every year due to continuous law changes and the driving test every five years so that people don't just get too comfortable and careless, they are required to demonstrate the necessary skills.

Tokyopete, you are correct about many (although not all) professional race car drivers being more cautious on the public roads than most drivers, because they are more aware of the limits (their own, the vehicles, and the environment). However, at least in the US, women are not on average safer drivers. Many studies have shown that men and women have different ways of processing information, which include many mental skills which separate people who can operate a vehicle from those who can actually drive. In all fairness, there are women out there who are great drivers, and I know a few, but women also generally lack the confidence in their skills to drive in high pressure situations.

Realist, I have respect for my elders, however you are in error. The statistics actually show that accidents involving people under 25 or so compared to around 65 and older are about even. This is because younger reflexes counters lack of judgement just as experience offsets failing senses and motor skills. The major difference is that older people have a much higher percentage of fatal accidents, because the mistakes made by older people are much more radical, rather than frail bodies.

Make no mistake though, the youngest and oldest are the highest risk groups by age. The answer is not cut-off ages (imagine trying to tell Richard Petty or Carol Shelby that they are too old to drive!), but better education and continued training and testing.
Okinawamike at 10:14 AM JST - 8th April

Can we get an exemption down here in Okinawa? We have no fancy trains and buses stop running at 11pm. At 75, I should not be out after 8pm anyway, right?
hakujinsensei at 10:24 AM JST - 8th April

can the shinhapa and ochiba stickers. all drivers regardless of age should be required to take the drivers test every three years to renew their license as well as pass a sight/ hearing test. hearing challenged drivers should be required to have a sign on the front and back of their cars identifying them. if someone fails the test at renewal, they should have to wait 30 days to take it again. automobile accidents are among the leading causes of death and should be treated accordingly.
TokyoHustla at 12:18 PM JST - 8th April

90 for men and 50 for women
seesaw at 12:05 AM JST - 9th April

90 for men and 50 for women

Some male chauvinist..!
sf2k at 10:54 PM JST - 9th April

no age limit at all! nor handicapped nor blind nor species. mhuahahaaa
PaulieWalnuts at 01:44 AM JST - 13th April

perhaps