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EU wants over 70s to prove they can still drive every five years (www.brusselstimes.com)

submitted 1 year ago by CAVOK@lemmy.world to c/europe@feddit.de

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The European Union wants elderly people (70+) to undergo medical tests from now on to prove that they are still capable of driving a car every five years. However, the proposal has been met with a lot of criticism.

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[–] Nerandza@lemmy.world 10 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (2 children)

Why 80 years old even needs to drive? Their reflexes are slow, their vision is bad, their hearing is catastrophic. Why just dont let someone drive them/use taxi/public transport?

[–] jimmy@feddit.de 7 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I agree but for that we would need good and inexpensive public transport

[–] boonhet@lemm.ee 6 points 1 year ago

Also walkable neighbourhoods where the grocery store is always close enough that most days, elderly people won't really NEED any transport.

A bus stop 400 meters away is nice, but you know what is nicer? The grocery store being 300 meters away.

Of course there's still doctors appointments and such, but that's where public transport can still step in and help.

[–] MrMcMisterson@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago

While I totally agree, and myself when or if I hit 80 probably wont be driving around, it will still happen. There will be stubborn 80 and above that will continue to want to drive for their independence. And if they want to, they should absolutely be tested.

Honestly tho, lets get real here for a minute. This is a large 1 ton machine that could easily kill someone. Shouldn't we have mandatory tests eventually for everyone? I mean, after driving for 25 years or so, there have been rules that have changed, safety measures that are different than when I took drivers ed, and lets face it, my skills are nearly as sharp as they used to be due to complacency we all experience.

Wouldn't that idea lower the amount of traffic fatalities a bit? I could see it turn into a cash grab and there would be strong opposition. I don't know, maybe I'm just stoned.