To Drive or Not To Drive

This month is my birthday, and it was time to renew my driver's license. When I arrived at the DMV to renew it, I walked in with my walker. This raised some questions with the lady behind the counter. It ended up that I would need to have my doctor's okay before I could renew my license. Since I already knew that my neurologist would prefer that I didn't drive, (his words were, "I don't even want you driving around a logging camp") I chose to surrender my driver's license in favor of a new State ID instead. I might add that the person at the DMV commended me for voluntarily giving up my license.
In fact I haven't been driving much at all anyway. I parked my car last August, and since I bought a van with a wheel chair lift in December, I could probably count on one hand the number of times I've driven it. I don't mind not driving myself around. It's enjoyable now, having someone else do the driving when I need to go somewhere. I have two caregivers who can drive for me, as well as a number of friends who can drive for me also.
The point is that when the time comes to give up driving, we should recognize it and do the right thing and give it up. All too often we see someone driving around town that obviously is no longer capable of driving safely. Too many times do we see in the news where someone stomped the gas instead of the brakes and drove through a crowd of people or into a building. I certainly do not want to be that person.
I told my two daughters some time ago that if they see that I no longer can drive safely to take away my keys and not allow me to drive. Fortunately I still have my right mind (at least I'd like to believe that) and have made that decision for myself.
I'm only 62 this month and hopefully still have a lot of years left, but the safety of others comes first. There are folks who can drive safely even when they get well into their 70's or 80's, but when their skills decline they should, as I have done, give up their licenses and stop driving. And I might add if they won't give it up, then their loved ones should step in and stop them. I don't think it's a cruel thing to do, and not being able to drive one's own self doesn't take away their independence. I certainly find that I still have mine, although it is somewhat limited due to my disabilities.
In addition to when we should quit driving, how about thinking about when we should start. I see 16 year olds get their licenses and then off they go. They have to drive everywhere! Even though they are a few blocks from school they have to take the car. They could walk! I'm not against them getting their license, but until they gain experience, their driving should be limited and I would recommend an experienced driver being their copilot for a while after they get their license. I've seen firsthand the tragedy of inexperienced young drivers ending up in serious accidents because they haven't yet learned how to be a competent driver before turning them loose.
I hope that common sense will prevail and anyone reading this will take something from it. Explore the possibility of using public transportation, riding with friends or family, or just take a walk instead. You'll be glad you did.
-Ed