Final answer:
Reaction time may weaken considerably as people get older, impacting their driving skills and increasing the risk of accidents.
Step-by-step explanation:
As people get older, an important driving skill that may start to weaken considerably is reaction time. Reaction time refers to the time it takes for a person to respond to a stimulus, such as braking or swerving to avoid an obstacle while driving.
In late adulthood, physical changes such as a decline in muscle strength and slower reflexes can lead to a slower reaction time. This can impact a person's ability to make split-second decisions on the road and can increase the risk of accidents.
For example, an elderly person may take longer to hit the brakes when they see a car suddenly stopping in front of them. The delay in reaction time can result in a rear-end collision. Therefore, it is important for older adults to be aware of these changes and take appropriate precautions while driving, such as maintaining a safe following distance and avoiding distractions.