Japan launches new program to encourage elderly drivers to hang up keys for good
Thread Starter
CL Community Team
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 30,283
Likes: 363
From: Canada
Japan launches new program to encourage elderly drivers to hang up keys for good
Japan launches new program to encourage elderly drivers to hang up keys for good
April1
Officials in Japan believe they have discovered a solution to make the roads of Japan a little safer: encourage the elderly to give up their licenses. As a part of a new safety initiative launched on Tuesday, Police and even local business are encouraging elderly motorist to hang up their keys for good.
According to Automotive News, about 30 businesses have joined the effort and will be offering the elderly cash incentives and discounts in exchange for handing in their licenses.
Some of the benefits include a delivery service from one department store chain, restaurant discounts and even a lower interest rate at a local bank.
Despite Japan's falling occurrence of traffic accidents — which have actually declined 20 percent in the last six years — accidents involving citizens over 70 have actually increased by 35 percent.
April1
Officials in Japan believe they have discovered a solution to make the roads of Japan a little safer: encourage the elderly to give up their licenses. As a part of a new safety initiative launched on Tuesday, Police and even local business are encouraging elderly motorist to hang up their keys for good.
According to Automotive News, about 30 businesses have joined the effort and will be offering the elderly cash incentives and discounts in exchange for handing in their licenses.
Some of the benefits include a delivery service from one department store chain, restaurant discounts and even a lower interest rate at a local bank.
Despite Japan's falling occurrence of traffic accidents — which have actually declined 20 percent in the last six years — accidents involving citizens over 70 have actually increased by 35 percent.
Interesting.
It may be tough to sway an aging population to do so.
I don't think random incentives will do it. I think a more global approach such as offering free public transportation for the elderly will be more beneficial.
It may be tough to sway an aging population to do so.
I don't think random incentives will do it. I think a more global approach such as offering free public transportation for the elderly will be more beneficial.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,629
Likes: 280
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
"Swaying" is not the issue. If Japan's laws are similiar to ours, driving, legally, is not a right, put a privilege. If the law says you don't drive, then, legally, you can't.
Most places don't allow teens to drive before the age of 16. We may soon see laws restricting or outlawing driving above a certain age as well.
I'm only speaking, of course, from a legal point of view. Personally, I am opposed to blanket laws that restrict things by ages....IMO they mean little or nothing. Plenty of teens can safely drive before the age of 16 or 17 (I could have, even though I didn't), and plenty of senior citizens can as well.
Of course, if laws are going to be passed anyway, over my oppositon or anyone else's, they need to be ENFORCED. The triple epidemics of speeding, red-light/stop sign running, and driving while using cell-phones have become so widespread here in America that enforcement is all but impossible, even though cameras help to some extent. But cameras break down, malfunction, or are sometime shot at with bullets.
Most places don't allow teens to drive before the age of 16. We may soon see laws restricting or outlawing driving above a certain age as well.
I'm only speaking, of course, from a legal point of view. Personally, I am opposed to blanket laws that restrict things by ages....IMO they mean little or nothing. Plenty of teens can safely drive before the age of 16 or 17 (I could have, even though I didn't), and plenty of senior citizens can as well.
Of course, if laws are going to be passed anyway, over my oppositon or anyone else's, they need to be ENFORCED. The triple epidemics of speeding, red-light/stop sign running, and driving while using cell-phones have become so widespread here in America that enforcement is all but impossible, even though cameras help to some extent. But cameras break down, malfunction, or are sometime shot at with bullets.
Last edited by mmarshall; Apr 2, 2008 at 05:47 PM.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,183
Likes: 5
From: California
Too bad this won't work in the U.S. It may work in high density cities where owning a car/parking space is already difficult, but we've got too many cities (eg. Milwaukee) that are oil based economies. Mix this in with the extreme temps of the Northeast and you can forget about a cohesive national plan.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,629
Likes: 280
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Too bad this won't work in the U.S. It may work in high density cities where owning a car/parking space is already difficult, but we've got too many cities (eg. Milwaukee) that are oil based economies. Mix this in with the extreme temps of the Northeast and you can forget about a cohesive national plan.
I'm not sure I follow you.
Trending Topics
These laws shouldn't be aimed towards elderly persay, but people who are unable to PROPERLY and SAFELY operate a motor vehicle. Like mmarshall said, there are folks who are younger than 16 who are more than capable of driving safely, as there are elderly who are too. Its the people who you see that are driving distracted *IE food, cellphones, etc, WHO are causing problems by swerving, not paying attention to the road, or just going to slow, who are the issue.
I agree that the elderly population does need to be observed closer, because as they say, with age you begin to lose response time MAJORLY, and that is a key factor one needs when driving. I've seen my fair share of teens driving wrecklessly too: Kids street racing on the highway (slowing down to 40mph rolls and speeding off, SLOWLY), young ladies on cell phones, doing their hair, or eating, (all of which caused them to swerve, or go too slow, etc.).
These are issues that must be addressed. We shouldn't lump everyone into one specific category, based on age, sex or race. We should judge people individualy so it may be fair for everyone.
I agree that the elderly population does need to be observed closer, because as they say, with age you begin to lose response time MAJORLY, and that is a key factor one needs when driving. I've seen my fair share of teens driving wrecklessly too: Kids street racing on the highway (slowing down to 40mph rolls and speeding off, SLOWLY), young ladies on cell phones, doing their hair, or eating, (all of which caused them to swerve, or go too slow, etc.).
These are issues that must be addressed. We shouldn't lump everyone into one specific category, based on age, sex or race. We should judge people individualy so it may be fair for everyone.
ClubLexus Stories
Celebrating Lexus & Toyota from Around the Globe
Lexus NX 350h: A Fuel-Sipping Secret Hot Hatch???
Michael S. Palmer
5 Best & 5 Worst Lexus Daily Drivers
Joe Kucinski
Top 5 Hottest Lexus & Toyotas in 2026 (Hardest To Buy)
Brett Foote
2026 Lexus IS 350 F Sport Review: The Last of Its Kind Still Rocks
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Confusing Things Lexus Has Ever Done!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Lexus ES Review: Lexus Re-Embraces Founding Principles
Michael S. Palmer
10 Lexus Bargains That are Cheaper Than a New Toyota RAV4
Joe Kucinski
8 Weirdest Things Lexus Has Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
10 Lexus Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 5,285
Likes: 43
From: NV
It's time this happens in the US as well. A lot of the communities in Las Vegas are geared towards old people and I live near many of them, and I can't tell you guys how many times I've been cut off by elderly drivers who obviously had no idea I was even there.
Exactly. I don't think we need to set a hard age cutoff after which people are not allowed to drive, but at the very least driving, eyesight, and other such exams should be mandated more and more frequently after certain ages.
Exactly. I don't think we need to set a hard age cutoff after which people are not allowed to drive, but at the very least driving, eyesight, and other such exams should be mandated more and more frequently after certain ages.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,183
Likes: 5
From: California
Outside of major metropolitan areas with mass transit systems (NYC, Chicago, etc.), most public transportation is not practical for the elderly when the weather is not agreeable. The closest bus stop could be miles away. Cold weather would make this walk/wait impossible.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
maaloxx
GS - 2nd Gen (1998-2005)
80
Dec 27, 2011 08:45 PM