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Mindy J. Fain, MD

Arch Intern Med. 2003;163:2126-2128.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text and any section headings.

INTRODUCTION

APPROXIMATELY 23 million licensed drivers 65 years or older currently drive on our roadways; and with the prediction of a rapidly aging society, we expect more and more older persons to share the road. It is estimated that 20 years from now, nearly 25% of all drivers will be older than 65 years, an increase from 15% today. For those who firmly believe that the older driver is, or will soon be, a hazardous driver, these demographic trends presage an emerging public health crisis. There is a public outcry to reduce this perceived threat. We find ourselves in the midst of a debate that pits our core values of personal freedom and individual autonomy against the goal of protection of public safety through the powers of the state. The most common solution offered involves creating laws and regulations that would be broadly applied to all older . . . [Full Text of this Article]

WHAT IS THE SAFETY RECORD OF THE OLDER DRIVER?

WHAT ARE THE CURRENT DEMOGRAPHIC PREDICTIONS REGARDING THE NUMBER OF OLDER DRIVERS ON THE ROAD IN THE FUTURE?

CAN WE ACCURATELY PREDICT THE UNSAFE OLDER DRIVER?

WHAT IS THE ETHICAL DILEMMA?

WHAT SHOULD THE QUESTION BE?

From the Geriatrics Section, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson. The author has no relevant financial interest in this article.

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