Here's a fun 8-minute video from webcaster Eric Go showing the ins and outs of driving one
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycX7pvKRMos
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.
That’s what I’m looking for. What car and what did you pay?
There are states that require driving tests to get a license and keep a license after a person reaches a certain age.
Seventy is not old enough yet to take the DL away from people.
There is no blanket age. Some people should not be all people.
We took the keys from Dad. He didn’t like it but he accepted it. He was much older than 70.
So, if someone near you gets honked at, you get the blame.
Second article targeting boomers. Yesterday they had one picking on boomers for using the internet.
They are addicted and lonely. whaaah
Well, if they take away your car, WTH are you supposed to do?
Sit home and watch MSM, or sleep in a wheelchair in the activity room at the nursing home?
You can’t even gather up your basket weaving materials or fart at the grocery store anymore. LOL /s
Big brother! Beware of medical questionnaires when going to the doctor, eventually the state will have access.
“Funny” because it’s true!
Want to save lives? Go after the dopers and leave us “seniors” alone.
Andy Kalmowitz can kiss my old crusty butt!
Five gears!
Drivers today can’t even master the standard three gears shift lever.
It don't fault them though. It's harder and harder to find a vehicle with a manual transmission, although I expect to see a lot more of them since President Trump axed the bogus EPA fuel economy standards.
As for gear count, as you know, if you can master running out the clutch in first, two and up are easy. (unless it's a manual with overdrive - then you need a thinking cap while driving)
It should apply to everyone. I see people every day who can’t operate a car safely.
Just try....
And insurance companies want to electronically monitor how you drive
They do that now it’s called a drivers test. At 96 my mother failed the drivers test 3 times so they pulled her license. Then I had to take her keys away bc she would sneak out to get her hair done.
TBH my Boomer mother and mother-in-law have no business behind the wheel. MIL couldn’t find her way out of the neighborhood, and there’s a new dent or scratch on my mother’s car twice a month.
I learned on a column 3-speed. Overdrive looked like a tiny hand brake.
Later, I had to drive a column 4-speed, with reverse forward and down. Then along came the VW beetle, whose 4-speed layout made sense; still, reverse was press-down, left, and back. My 1971 VW Camper was (and today, is) the same.
Then I bought a Porsche 914/6, [901] 5-speed, where first gear was left and back. A friend’s Porsche Turbo was different yet again. Some were 5-speeds—some were 4.
:-/
My 1991 BMW [318is] and my present 1995 Nissan Pickup [D-21] are conventional 5-speeds.
Long live the standard gearbox!
;)
Here's a fun 8-minute video from webcaster Eric Go showing the ins and outs of driving one
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycX7pvKRMos
All that to pick up ONE seat?
Recently, Hyundai was selling standard transmission sedans.
Automatics, even with strict adherence to maintenance, have RELATIVELY short lives.
My Nissan “Pickup”, with almost 200K on it, has the original T/O bearing, clutch and plate. Actually, everything is original except the alternator.
Now I see Mazda didn’t put the column shift to gain a front seat.
RHD with a floor shifter isn’t difficult to master, but shifting with the left hand simply doesn’t compute!
===8-O
We told my dad, “if you kill yourself in an accident, no big deal. You kill someone else it’s a big deal.” He reluctantly gave up driving but we got him a golf cart to get around. He could get to the store and pharmacy without crossing a major road and staying on the golf path.
That's a lie.
And the lie is there to provide cover for the tech.
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.