The Other Side of the Coin

Yesterday I wrote a post about "old" drivers. Today I am posting the other side of the story. While many "older" or elderly people are a hazard behind the wheel, many of them are completely safe and are enjoying themselves. I have asked my mother-in-law, Barbara or as I like to call her Mom, if I could post an editorial she wrote for the Seattle Times in July of 2003. She wrote this in response to an article suggesting that drivers should hand over their license at the age of 60.


I read with great amusement "Post limit at 60" by Kevin McGrath. So, Kevin, you would like the government to take away my husband's driver's license and his Corvette now that he is 60. He was hoping to have a few more years of fun.

I guess this means no more high-speed police chases by the elderly Harrison Ford. Do you want his pilot's license and airplane too? Paul Newman at the age of 78 is still racing competitively. I sure hope he has a chauffeur to drive him to his racing competitions. Certainly, Mick Jagger, who turns 60 in a few days, can't be trusted behind the wheel anymore either. I don't know about you, but I do not want to be the one to ask "The Terminator" (Arnold Schwarzenegger) for his car keys in five years.

It seems to me that you want to put all people age 60 or above out to pasture without even our vehicles to get us there.

Guess I better go pack. But first, let me call a taxi.
Barbara Dermody


Very well spoken, I must add. While I still hold to my original post of "old" people should not drive, I should clarify that to SOME old people should not drive. Certainly nothing should be done that would revoke the privileges of those who are entirely capable of, and enjoying their driving privileges, regardless of their age.
Case in point...Here is Bill's Dad, Chuck, enjoying some quality time behind the wheel in a "woe baby look at that car, Porche Boxster!" I think he is 60, but just barely!!! LOL. Way to go, Grandpa!