Some poor older drivers were once poor middle-aged drivers and poor young drivers before that, but driving skills often erode over time for reasons ranging from physical or mental decline to simple indifference to maintaining skills.

Traffic volume and the configuration and complexity of our infrastructure and traffic controls has increased markedly since the 1960s. The minimum skill level required to navigate rural two-lane roads 50 years ago won't cut it today, even if that skill level has remained steady.

Decline can occur at any age and for many reasons. Instead of singling out the elderly, we should retest every driver every few years, and more often for those whose driving records indicate a need.