Consider This from NPR Who decides when you're too old to drive?
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Mar 27, 2026 
Joel Rose, NPR transportation correspondent who covers driving, road safety and policy, digs into who decides when older people should stop driving. He walks through the patchwork of state licensing rules. He discusses family struggles over taking keys. He explores crash data, research linking policy to risk, and technology’s potential to keep older drivers mobile.
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Child Killed By Driver Who Confused Pedals
- A 12-year-old named Emmett Zudrow was run over while biking when an 85-year-old driver, Jean Woolley, confused the brake and accelerator.
- Woolley was cited but not charged, and the crash propelled Angela Zudrow to campaign for tougher relicensing checks in Wisconsin.
No National Standard For Older Driver Licensing
- U.S. rules for older drivers form a patchwork with no national standard and wide state variation in relicensing requirements.
- Some states added vision testing and reporting options, while many still allow long renewals without in-person checks, and some states are now loosening rules.
Consider Mobility Options Before Taking Licenses
- Balance safety and mobility when considering restrictions because many older adults lack viable transit alternatives, especially in rural areas.
- Policymakers should consider access solutions before removing driving privileges to avoid isolating seniors.