(October 2011) Researchers studying the driving habits and accident rates among the elderly found that the majority of
elderly surveyed supported mandatory retesting of drivers based on age, and said they would hand over their keys if a doctor or loved one said they were no longer fit to drive.

“We are now exploring the idea of an advance directive for driving, where someone would be designated to take away your keys at some point,” says Emmy Betz, MD, MPH, at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, who led the study.

“It is a very difficult subject. Children don’t want to bring it up, older drivers are afraid to lose their licenses and doctors may feel it is not their job.”

The study surveyed 122 elderly people and found 71 percent supported mandatory, age-based driver retesting. Some 89 percent said they might quit driving if their doctor advised it compared to 75 percent who would agree to quit if it was their family’s idea.

Read here for news coverage of the study >>