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AI Driverless Cars a Boon vs Bust for the Elderly, Makes You Think Twice
Dr. Lance B. Eliot, AI Insider
You probably know about the old saying that a low mileage car driven by an elderly person is a good buy because it has barely been used. This also goes along with the comedic routines showing a granny or grandpa straining to see over the steering wheel and fearlessly (wildly) driving a car.
Other younger drivers often dart around these stereotypical senior citizen drivers. I was even in a car accident years ago wherein someone living at a Leisure World home mistakenly used the accelerator when they had meant to use the brake pedal. My car was sitting at a red light when suddenly pow, a car from behind me plowed into my car. The elderly driver was very apologetic and said that she got confused as to which pedal was for what.
I don’t want to cast aspersions on older drivers, and we can easily make stereotypical comments about young drivers too (they are reckless, they are distracted by Facebook while driving, etc.).
For older drivers, being on-the-road can be very stressful. Someone with failing sight might have a difficult time seeing objects and cars ahead. Night time driving might be especially frightening. Their reactions times to sudden moves of other cars can be delayed. Accidents can happen. Some avoid driving…