Deerfield-News. com-Deerfield Beach, Fl-Several years ago, while driving with my then 87-year-old dad, I saw he should not be driving. I talked with my brother and then my attorney. After talking with my attorney, I decided that there is no mechanism to stop elderly drivers to take the keys away. Thankfully, my dad was Ok with that after I told him we nearly were in what could have been a tragic accident, if not for the other alert driver.
Yesterday’s tragic accident in Boca Raton is another reminder that every day in Florida, elderly people who probably should not be driving are involved in tragic accidents. The State of Florida has no mechanism to revoke licenses from elderly drivers. AARP and other elder lobbies have made sure of this. Florida’s legislature needs to do something; just retesting elderly drivers’ eyesight is not enough.
Florida has an obligation to protect all drivers and pedestrians from the dangers elderly drivers pose. I understand not all elderly drivers are the same, that is why we need a mechanism for retesting and for taking away licenses for those who no longer should be driving.
Currently, the mechanism is focused on family and friends; it is up to them to prevent elderly drivers from operating their vehicles unsafely.The other possibility is a concerned Doctor who consults the patient and their family.
The State of Florida has failed the rest of us who have not yet reached those golden years by not having a mechanism to stop dangerous elderly drivers from getting behind the wheel.The State of Florida could easily institute mandatory written and road tests every so many years.
As it says above, put the phone down, do not text and drive, Florida’s other deadly road problem, still exists…..
ARRIVE ALIVE!
Originally posted August 2019-Updated January 18,2026
