On Sat, 18 Mar 2006 at 10:48:05 in message
nPWSf.117909$QW2.29237@dukeread08, Jim Macklin
wrote:

I think that a Nerf football or baseball should be used by
doctors and DL examiners to test reaction times, without
being warned [except by signs posted] the examiner should
toss the ball AT the applicant from about 5-10 feet away.
This should be done to young and old alike [no
discrimination.] If they did not at least react BEFORE the
ball hit them by trying to dodge, catch or deflect the ball
before it passed them, they are either on drugs, drunk, too
old and should not be driving or flying. IMHO.

I confess I am an older driver. But over the years I have watched myself
and others and come to the conclusion that reaction time is not the most
important factor. The most important aptitude required, in my opinion,
is anticipation. That is the ability to notice and react to personal
predictions of the short term future and to recognise potential hazards
before they need _any_ significant reaction time.

If reaction time was all important then (this true in the UK) the 18 -
25 year old group of male drivers would not pay high premiums nor have
higher accident rates then any other. That group tend to have a high
opinion of their own skills and are more likely to take unnecessary
risks.

You certainly do deteriorate with age and everyone ought to decide for
themselves, assuming they are reasonably fit, when they should give up.
Sometimes friends or relations may give guidance sometimes it is a
medical condition that cannot be ignored. Older people drive with larger
vehicle spacing and tend to avoid difficult manoeuvres. Those that
require turning your head through 180 degrees for example. Occasionally
reaction time is vital but in most cases the need for it would not arise
if the dangerous situation was avoided early.

Distraction from the job in hand can be dangerous. I always cringe when
I watch drivers in movies look at their front seat passenger for long
seconds!

I have driven in the USA as well as in the UK - but not as much! I have
much less experience of flying but I would have thought that rapid
reaction times (as opposed to making correct decisions) are even less
needed in the air although judgement and prediction are even more
important.

I concede that a lot of older drivers avoid, if they can, unfamiliar and
complex roads and junctions. I also try to avoid night driving.

On the other hand I once saw a TV programme about quite a young female
driver who never made right turns. (If you are in the USA read _left_
turns). She spent hours studying maps and would go 15 or more miles
extra to drive only left turns. You may well ask how she got through her
driving test. For those who are unfamiliar with roundabouts she only
entered if she could leave at the first exit. I arranged for an
American friend of mine visiting us in the UK to drive my car. He was
unable to cope with roundabouts at all!

One of my stepsons (I think he was winding me up) said that he felt the
greatest hazard on the roads was old drivers keeping at or below the
speed limits!! :-) Perhaps he was kidding as well, because has now
lived and worked in the USA since 1997 and has yet to collect a speeding
ticket. He is the same guy who when he was 18 thought it was hardly
worth living beyond 30. We went to his 50th Birthday last year!

However I believe my reaction time is still pretty good and my eyesight
has just been thoroughly checked both for acuity and peripheral field.

One thing is probably sure is that your attitude does change somewhat
with age!
--
David CL Francis