Because many older people experience no decline in driving skills, there is no specific age at which a person should give up a driver's license. Some people actually become more attentive and less aggressive drivers as they get older. However, the likelihood of being in a fatal crash increases dramatically in drivers age 70 and up. Thus, older drivers should look for signs of vision problems that could affect their driving and make any necessary changes in their driving behaviors. While poor peripheral vision is more likely than visual acuity to predict which older drivers are more likely to experience a crash, most states do not require a test of peripheral vision as a license requirement.
States usually rely on a test of visual acuity because it is easier to examine.
Unless you have had a recent eye exam, you probably do not know how good your peripheral vision and visual acuity are. But asking yourself a few simple questions about your vision can give you a good idea about how it may be affecting your driving. Answering yes to any of these questions may indicate that low vision is affecting your driving. Also, you should listen to what other people say about your driving. Family or friends may have expressed concern about your driving skills, and their comments can reveal problems that you may not be aware of.