Commanders Post at The Warpath - View Single Post - With a rise in fatal accidents caused by elderly drivers; does the nation need stricter rules on licenses?

firstdown · 12-16-2009, 10:19 AM

As most know I'm in the insurance business and sometimes I see a driving record and wonder how the person even has a valid lic. I think DMV needs to start with bad drivers first as they are probably more of a risk. Now for older drivers. I see it on the claims side as some people get older you start to see them have alot of fender benders. One lady who comes to mind had 3 at fault accidents in one year. I have seen other customers who cannot remember what bills they have paid or not paid and are loosing it but are still on the road. I have even called a customers family to talk to them about their parents and their driving issues. If I remember correctly the loss trends on people above 70 is close to that of new young drivers but I could be off some on that. I also think family members turn a blind eye to their parents driving because if they turn in their lic. who will have to get them around? I had one customer around 70 stop in the middle of a busy road that has a speed limit of 50 mph to pick up some plastic flowers. A person rear ended him a luckly his car went right missing him while he stood in front of his car picking up flowers. He drove for another 2 years and had several other fender benders. People say why don't the insurance co. just cancel them but thats tough when they have been a customer for 30 years. Now that I think about it I also remember one customer who had like 6 accidents in like 2 years and I don't think DMV ever contacted him about his lic. Finally after his last accident which was pretty bad the family stepped in and had him surrender his lic.

12-16-2009, 10:19 AM	#8
firstdown Living Legend Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: chesapeake, va Age: 61 Posts: 15,817	Re: With a rise in fatal accidents caused by elderly drivers; does the nation need stricter rules on licenses? As most know I'm in the insurance business and sometimes I see a driving record and wonder how the person even has a valid lic. I think DMV needs to start with bad drivers first as they are probably more of a risk. Now for older drivers. I see it on the claims side as some people get older you start to see them have alot of fender benders. One lady who comes to mind had 3 at fault accidents in one year. I have seen other customers who cannot remember what bills they have paid or not paid and are loosing it but are still on the road. I have even called a customers family to talk to them about their parents and their driving issues. If I remember correctly the loss trends on people above 70 is close to that of new young drivers but I could be off some on that. I also think family members turn a blind eye to their parents driving because if they turn in their lic. who will have to get them around? I had one customer around 70 stop in the middle of a busy road that has a speed limit of 50 mph to pick up some plastic flowers. A person rear ended him a luckly his car went right missing him while he stood in front of his car picking up flowers. He drove for another 2 years and had several other fender benders. People say why don't the insurance co. just cancel them but thats tough when they have been a customer for 30 years. Now that I think about it I also remember one customer who had like 6 accidents in like 2 years and I don't think DMV ever contacted him about his lic. Finally after his last accident which was pretty bad the family stepped in and had him surrender his lic.