DEAR ABBY: I am a 70-year-old female who has been driving for 54 years, and I have never even had a parking ticket. I am neither confused nor disoriented.
I'm sorry about the girl who was struck by an elderly gentleman, but there are many people in her age group who are on drugs and alcohol who kill people every day, so it's not just the elderly who should not be driving. -- SHIRLEY RODDY, TEMPE, ARIZ.
P.S. I am in pretty good shape. I jog and swim for an hour every day.
DEAR SHIRLEY: Certainly some older drivers are safe drivers, but everyone past the age of 55 should consider that as we age, our reflexes slow down, and our vision and hearing may not be as sharp as they used to be.
I urge seniors to inquire about courses for mature drivers that instruct them on how to compensate for this, and which may also qualify them for a discount on car insurance.