Why do old people drive slow? A serious question

[Disney1fan2002]

Seriously, why?

25 years ago, you'd figure old people drove slow, because the cars they drove when they were younger only went 35 MPH. So you would of thought.

We should of evolved by now, shouldn't we? I mean a 75yo today, was 35 in 1966, and I am sure cars in 1966 went faster than 20 MPH.

I am asking because yesterday I delivered pizza in the afternoon. I always THINK I like delivering during the day, than at night, because it is easier to find addresses, ect. EXCEPT, so many old people are on the road! OMG! I was so frustrated yesterday. These poor customers are waiting for their lunch, I am stuck driving 20 MPH, without a passing zone in sight. I would break free from one, only to turn onto a road, and be behind another one. They must leave their house 2 hours before an appointment. They are certainly in no rush. One guy, and YES he was a guy, looked like he was just about pushing 60 years old. WHY? 60 ain't even old!

Sorry for the rant, but I am looking at another day of lunch time deliveries, and I know what will be out there waiting for me.

 

[NMAmy]

I could set you up for a car ride with my mother--a 73 yo woman whom we fondly (and nervously) refer to as Mario Andretti or Speed Racer.

 

[AprilShowers]

Because their reflexes and reaction times are slower.
If someone turns in front of them, it will take them longer to react than it would take a 20 year old. (unless, of course, the 20 YO has a cell phone attached to the ear!)

 

[anewvance]

We live in an area that is overflowing with elderly people. There are certain areas/intersection that are totally targeted! They drive so flipping slow...

Of course my 75 year old grandpa can take you on a ride. He can barely see but somehow still gets that renewal! He drives double the speed limit most of the time and you get whiplash when he breaks at a light. SKEERY!

 

[Rock'n Robin]

I had to pass an older woman who was going 25 in a 35 yesterday (in all honesty I'd normally just follow, but I went to the wrong place for DS's soccer camp and I was in a hurry). She looked stressed and was gripping the wheel tightly with both hands. I didn't think she looked that old either, maybe 50s? While I do see some old people who drive slowly, I think some people are just afraid--maybe they've had an accident, or they don't know where they need to turn, etc. In the "old days" if a person gave up driving (my Grandma got hit in the mid 60s and stopped cold) they had family to take them places. We took Grandma to the store once a week. But now families are all over and people HAVE to continue to drive, often until the state tells them they can't anymore.
My dad drove for a living for years as a salesman. He is 76 now and his tailgating drives me nuts. He will take one of my DDs to the store to help him out, and it makes me nervous as all heck.
Robin M.

 

[eclectics]

Actually a lot of cars could top 100mph back in the 1930's if their drivers wanted them to (and no, I don't have first hand knowledge ). I think they go so slow because their eyesight isn't so good and it's a natural instinct to slow down when you can't see that well. That plus the slower reflexes etc.

 

[thinkerbell]

I wish my mom knew the rule about being old and driving slow. I will NOT ride with her. She goes way too fast. She has even had a police friend tell her that she needs to use that cruise feature that she has on her car to keep from getting a ticket or worse.

 

[lbgraves]

IDK but when I had to drive 45 minutes to work on a 2 lane road they would drive me crazy!!! It must be nice to not have anywhere to go or anything that you need to do BUT stay off of the road when people who are trying to get to work or get their kids to school on time are out!!!

 

[Disney Doll]

Because their reflexes and reactions are slower, their perceptions are slower, and that slows them down.

I could conversely ask "Why do oyung people drive so fast?" Is it to show off? Is it because they think they are invincible?

 

[Feralpeg]

While I agree that driving too slow is a hazard, IMHO those who think they must drive 20 miles over the speed limit are a much worse hazard. I live in an area where they are many seniors. I don't find them to be a big problem. However, they are so many serious accidents in this area from people driving way over the speed limit and cutting in and out of lanes of traffic. I'm willing to give a senior the benefit of the doubt. I have no patience for those impatient drivers who think they must pass everyone on the road.

 

[RitaZ.]

Because their reflexes and reaction times are slower.

Definitely! Also medical conditions and medications probably slow them down.

One day, if we are lucky, people will be writing about our slow driving.

 

[RitaZ.]

Of course my 75 year old grandpa can take you on a ride. He can barely see but somehow still gets that renewal! He drives double the speed limit most of the time and you get whiplash when he breaks at a light. SKEERY!

My mom's friend is in her mid 80's and drives a new VW Bug (yellow) . She is a diabetic and can barely see, but she was thrilled that her license was renewed. She said that she had trouble seeing the letters, but that she passed. My mom is in her early 70's and won't ride in her friend's car.

 

[MosMom]

The other day I went to Walmart and saw my 90 year old grandfather pull in. I told the kids to wait and we would say "Hi" to him on his way in. We spent about 5 minutes just watching him get into the parking spot. Another 5 minutes getting out and grabbing a cart. Then he stopped and started talking to the cart guy so I told the kids we'd catch him later. He likes to hang out in the deli while his younger (82) girlfriend does the shopping for him so we stopped to say hi there.

The real question is...why do old people always have to have it so bleeping hot? We go visit him at his house and I'm breaking a sweat in the first 3 minutes. He wears long sleeve shirts and long pants and keeps it 90 in the house....when it's 90 outside!

 

[RitaZ.]

Bridget~ I'm not sure, but I think it may have something to do with the fact that as one gets older one has less body fat, so one's more likely to feel cold.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

The other day I went to Walmart and saw my 90 year old grandfather pull in...He likes to hang out in the deli while his younger (82) girlfriend does the shopping for him so we stopped to say hi there.

Well, God bless him!!!

The real question is...why do old people always have to have it so bleeping hot?

I think that's sometimes a medication issue too.

I live on a road where the speed limit is 25 mph; same for the road leading to it. The road leading to THAT is 30 mph. And oh, doesn't it make me crazy when people don't drive the speed limit. I can't even COAST behind people sometimes, they drive so slow. But sometimes, I get tailed like crazy (even from a cop one time!) when I drive the speed limit...which is always...of course.

 

[AprilShowers]

The real question is...why do old people always have to have it so bleeping hot? We go visit him at his house and I'm breaking a sweat in the first 3 minutes. He wears long sleeve shirts and long pants and keeps it 90 in the house....when it's 90 outside!

Blood thinners.

 

[Robinrs]

Because their reflexes and reactions are slower, their perceptions are slower, and that slows them down.

I could conversely ask "Why do oyung people drive so fast?" Is it to show off? Is it because they think they are invincible?

I worked with the elderly until last year and LIVED with them most of my life. I agree with Disney Doll, we could ask WHY about all ages and as you see on this thread it never refers to ALL, just like all stereotypes.

I am just glad they err to the side of safety... hey, maybe that's why they made it to OLD...

Patience is a virtue. These people have EARNED it. One day you'll be looking at a young whippersnapper and wondering why she's so impatient with you.

 

[Snowysmom]

I do get frustrated driving behind an elderly driver going very slow on local roads but I can usually take another road and get away from them. The real hazard is when they are on the highway going 35-40. That is an accident waiting to happen. Luckily my father was aware enough of his deteriorating driving skills stop driving at 86.

 

[escape]

I can understand "older" drivers going slow. What I can't understand are the ones that go 60 miles an hour (ok, I'm exaggerating ...but just a little ) to pull out in front of you and then drive a lot lower than the speed limit.