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The U.S. has 18.5 millions licensed drivers aged 71 and over. Some drive well,
some atrociously.
What should family, friends and licensing authorities do?
One of the things researchers are doing is looking at how technology might help,
for example: M.I.T. AgeLab's 2000 VW "Smartcar" Beetle is fitted with a vision
enhancement screen to reduce glare, a collision warning system, and an emergency
alert system that beeps when a vehicle wanders from its lane.
There are other useful devices that can help, such as corrective mirrors, raised
driver seats, pedal extensions, and so on, not to mention driver training
courses that update skills.
In the end though, family, friends, driving professionals and licensing
authorities will have to team up to assist drivers who need to hang up their
driving gloves and make a graceful exit.
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