Posted on 09/05/2025 6:29:40 PM PDT by nickcarraway
Nobody really knows the right time to take the key away from their elderly parents, and now General Motors seems to be developing technology to help inform that awkward decision. Engineers at the automaker applied for a patent on a system that would help determine whether or not older motorists can still safely operate a car. It'll use both vehicle and driver data to make the determination and come up with a "driver retirement score." It'll notify motorists of their performance, which sounds pretty brutal if I'm honest, but the way some people drive, it's also wholly necessary.
Engineers say GM's new system relies upon a comprehensive scope of data inputs that include monitoring the driver's reaction times, squinting and signs of fatigue, according to the patent reviewed by Automotive News. It'll also determine whether the driver is using the turn signal appropriately and complying with road signs. The system can also incorporate other things like medical conditions and whether others have filed complaints about a person's driving. It'll be able to tell if someone's driving improves or gets worse over time. Hell, it'll even detect how frequently other drivers honk at you, meaning every time you honk at someone, they're one step closer to being off the road. I'm going to definitely keep this in mind.
Once the score is computed by the proposed system, it'll generate a report with recommendations for the driver. It'll also notify a designated contact about the score. I'm sure this won't make the decision to give up your keys any less painful or awkward, but it should theoretically be helpful in guiding people in the right direction.
A real need
There's a growing market for this sort of technology, especially as our parents get more ornery (not mine, my parents are young and cool). In 2022, there were almost 52 million folks 65 and older with driver's licenses in the U.S., according to AutoNews. That's a 77% increase over the past two decades, which is kind of wild to think about. People aren't giving up their cars despite their diminished states.
In 2023, drivers 65 and older accounted for 19% of all traffic deaths, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That's actually half a percentage point higher than the 25-34-year-old demographic. According to a 2024 study from AAA, seniors are now outliving their ability to drive safely, which is worrying to say the least. Because of that, they've got to plan for a driving retirement in the same way they've got to plan for a financial one.
We've covered this issue in the past. Last year, we talked about Americans driving into their twilight years because living without a car is "miserable and dangerous." We also talked about how older drivers are more likely to die while driving older cars and we've even given you advice on how to help older drivers when its time for them to turn over their keys.
Other day watched a young hijabed woman in the right turn lane cross in front of the two through lanes and the left turn lane when the light turned green.
Maybe start looking at the stupid young drivers, especially immigrants, before you go after older experienced drivers.
May God bless you, even if He has other plans.....
The roads are FULL of lousy drivers — jerks driving slower than me and a-holes driving faster! I’d give ‘em the finger but it’s too much trouble to put my cellphone down.
How about a robot that grabs cell phones out of people’s hands?
To the thread source author:
Screw off.
I’m 79 and a much better driver than the drunken, marijuana and cocaine using cell phone texting younger drivers.
I’m not averse to adding these people who want to take my license to my war adversaries list behind the news media people and the Dems.
Bring it.
Older drivers also drive less.
A good reason for autonomous vehicles.
FMCDH.....
Ha. Ahead of me in traffic this afternoon had a license plate holder that said “Manual Gearbox Preservation Society Member.”
That should do wonders for buick caddilac sales
Toyota rocks.
Hopefully, they’ll develop a system to identify Indian drivers -dot not feather - and get them off the road.
Cold Dead Hands....
.
I was Born to Drive and all I Want
Is a Shelby Cobra with a Full
Tank of Gas.
I’m an old driver and I support this.
I’ve seen too many old, dangerous drivers on the road to think any differently.
People drive WAY past their time.
https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/policyinformation/statistics/2023/dl20.cfm
25-34 year olds: 17.3% of total drivers, 18.5% of deaths. Deaths/ drivers: 1.06x
65+ drivers: 22.2% of drivers, 19% of deaths. Deaths/drivers: 0.86x
I got curious about this matter some months ago.
Asked ChatGPT. At what age should elderly stop driving?
The reply was superb. Went like this:
The recommended age is 75. There is a great deal of evidence to suggest that 75 yr old drivers are safer than 20 year old drivers. There is plenty of evidence that elderly drivers know the rules of the road and have ample reflexes.
The reason for recommending 75 is recovery. The old in even a minor wreck are at much greater risk of permanent disability or death than the young. Old bodies heal more slowly or not at all.
What a disgustingly ageist and pointed article. 19% of the accidents are a reason to target senior drivers?
BS. Just another way to plug and push Spyware in every sense of the word on all drivers.
“Oh it’s for the common good”
Stick your dongles and sensors and cameras in your ear.
BS!
The accident statistics do not support this dystopian idea...
Where's the AI to get non-English-speaking and reading vile migrant invaders off the roads?
How about teenage drivers?
This nation, in this case General Motors, is overrun by Bolsheviks, carefully raised and indoctrinated in government schools...
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