张洪兵

　　7月16日，一名86岁的司机把车开进加州圣塔莫尼卡市一个热闹的集贸市场里，撞死10人，伤了几十人。这类交通事故引发了人们对一个老问题的新争论：在美国，多大岁数就算太大了，不能再开车了？

　　那些认为老年司机必须证明其驾驶能力的人常用老年驾驶所造成的交通事故来支持他们的观点。但其他人却强调这样的统计数据：老年司机，至少在75岁以前，比十多岁的年轻人开车更安全。同其他司机相比，他们酒后驾驶的概率更小。

　　在2001年，16%的司机在65岁以上；到2030年，每四人中就有一人将属于那个年龄组。然而，至少有21个州对老年司机有各种特殊要求，从要他们更频繁地更换驾照到进行视力检查。

　　取消老年司机的驾照会剥夺他们的独立性，迫使其依靠别人才能去食品店或去看病。有些人认为，一个人是否能继续开车，应根据其表现而不仅仅是年龄来确定。

　　（本栏目供稿：张洪兵博士）

　　How Old Is Too Old to Drive in America

　　Accidents like the one in Santa Monica, Calif., wherea86-year-old driver killed 10 peo-ple and injured dozens moreonJuly 16, whenhe drovesintosa crowded farmers market, has givenriseto new debateson the old issue: how old is too old to driveinAmerica?

　　The accidents committed by el-derly drives are often citedbythose who believe older drivers should have to provetheircapa-bility.But others point to statistics showing thatolderdrivers are safer than teens —at least until they reach 75—and areless likely thanother drivers to drive drunk. In 2001, 16percentof drivers were65 and older; by 2030, one in four isexpected to bein that age group. Howeve,, at least 21 states havespecialrequirements for older drivers, varying from more frequentlicenserenewals to vision tests.

　　Taking away a license can rob older people of theirindepen-dence,forcing them to rely on others for trips to thegrocery store ordoctors office. Some people argue, whethersomeone continues todriveor not should be based on performance notjust simply age.

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