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.
At least us old people still know and obey the rules of the road. I think motor vehicle departments are just giving out licenses to all that walk in the door. Apparently, no one has to pass a driver’s test anymore.
Note: Deport the illegals and accident rates will decrease.
GM has gone downhill in every way. And they were always my favorite. Their reputation is now shot. It probably has something do with their choice of leadership.
“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.”
Looking at both the 25-34 and the over 65 segments...what is being ignored is how many in both groups were under the influence of alcohol and drug when they were driving. You factor that in and separate the drinkers from the others and you’d see a marked drop as to how many oldsters need to have their licenses taken away.
I work in a trauma hospital and alcohol/drugs figure in about 25-30 percent in the accidents we see...young or old. Indeed we see more ground level falls with older people than we do with car crashes in that segment. Right now we get more cra crashes with Hispanics who have been drinking. They simply don’t know how to dryve on American roads. GN needs to recalibrate their software to include new to America Hispanic drivers...they drive crazy!
Or a cell phone jammer installed in the car. Works only in the car. Doesn’t allow VOIP. Only allows 911 emergency calls unless car is stopped and off the road.
My 93 yo father in law still drives. I periodically look over his car to see what new colors of paint he has added to the quarter panels. He occasionally backs into someone at the bank, grocery store or local restaurant. He pays his own insurance and pays off the people he has hit.
Would I ride with him? Absolutely not.
Thanks.
In reality, a simple quotient misses important factors, chiefly miles driven. If younger people drive more miles relatively than older people, the deaths per driven mile metric may show a different story.
In addition, type of miles driven is important: highway vs local vs city.
For now, the old folks have fewer deaths per driver than the youngsters.
This is a bad idea. What if grandma is being chased by a criminal? Will HAL kill power? If it turns out this tech has a bias and redlines, say, older women, it’ll get bad press and go out of style.
Boomers are the target.
Boomers were ALWAYS the target.
I’ve noticed a pattern around here where younger bitches and assholes get off on making their left-hand turns way too close to oncoming traffic and the only apparent reason for it is to intimidate other drivers. They’re trying to incite road rage incidents that make themselves look like victims. It gives them a sick sense of empowerment, which they can’t seem to find at home or at work.
What about drivers who will not put their phone down?
Drivers under the influence of drugs, prescribed or illegal?
Drivers from foreign countries who have not assimilated into our culture?
I’m not in favor of yet another intrusive technology. At the same time I hope my kids will recognize when my husband and I should no longer be driving.
My FIL had dementia and taking away his car keys was so sad. He loved to drive but he became too dangerous. He fought us on it, but his neurologist had a driving simulator test that checked his reaction times, judgment and other things. He told my FIL that he absolutely should not be driving, that several times in the test he had made choices that could have caused an accident or even killed someone.
FIL handed the doc his keys that day. We were so relieved.
“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.”
.
Survival—especially long-term—following a crash is a factor not being looked at.
I’m 81 and just put an “antique” tag on my pickup truck [stick]. Thirty years of paying collision insurance and not a single dent to show for it.
A NH friend of 70 years, also 81, stopped driving because of his failing peripheral vision. As he feared hitting pedestrians, I tried to cheer him by saying, “New Hampshire has too many jaywalkers”.
Fortunately, my three-month-summers in NH can be fueled with only one tank of gas. Road signs showing speeds limited to 30 or 40 don’t take into account darkness or rain.
Massachusetts drivers and immigrants are the bane up here—not so much the elderly. There are 55,000,000 visas being handed out by someone!
(NH judges, BTW, are too lenient with DUI cases, with too-frequent 3rd- and 4th- offenders getting only fines).
Let me also remind FReepers of their widespread disdain for red-light cameras.
No thanks - I have the Toyota app on my phone and I had to opt out of the data gathering/reporting because it claimed “severe acceleration and braking” and other such crap because I accelerated to not inconvenience others when merging into traffic and also check my braking when roads become wet from heavy rains, etc...
Funny!
I’m reminded of the “assailed” look on a young female, who pulled out from a parking space and was struck by a neighbor’s car.
Florida allows drivers with vision in only one eye to drive.
My neighbor—with a childhood accident with a dart—never saw her. She assumed her good looks would entitle her to “cut in”.
Better idea: get a Tesla with self-driving.
I can see that as a boon to older drivers.
Some day you won’t be able to turn it off.
Using old people is they this will start out because some really old people are bad drivers.
But... we know how this will go. Soon they will mandate it for drivers of all ages.
Car Goes Airborne Across Sunrise Highway in Bayshore
70 yr old driver. THIS IS NOT CLICKBAIT!!!!!
My most recent vehicle purchase was a 15 year old low mileage car with limited technology…purposefully for that reason.
As if family doesn’t already know.
‘Zactly.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.