Final answer:
Withdrawing an elderly person's license based solely on retirement status is not justified. It's discriminatory and does not consider individual driving ability. Seniors might also need their license for emergencies, and thus it should not be taken away without a valid reason related to their specific driving capabilities.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question of whether or not to withdraw an elderly person's driving license upon retirement is multifaceted. There are several reasons why it's not appropriate to take this action merely based on someone's retirement status.
- Retirement does not necessarily impact driving ability: It's incorrect to associate retirement with impaired driving skills automatically. Just like requiring a photo ID affects certain demographics disproportionately, taking away licenses based on age can be similarly unfair. Many older adults remain highly self-sufficient and are capable of driving safely.
- It's discriminatory: Just as the government discriminates based on age for certain activities like drinking alcohol or smoking, imposing a blanket policy of license removal post-retirement can fall under age discrimination. Decisions should be made based on individual assessment rather than age alone.
- They might need it for emergencies: Having a license allows senior citizens to drive themselves in an urgent situation. This is crucial, especially since a significant segment of the elderly population relies on Social Security and may not have the funds for other forms of transportation.
Considering the points above, there is a consensus that withdrawing a driving license based on retirement is not justified.