Announcer

Go behind the wheel, under the hood, and beyond with Car Stuff from www.HowStuffWorks.com.

Scott Benjamin

Hey, everybody. Welcome to Car Stuff. I’m Scott Benjamin, the auto editor here at www.HowStuffWorks.com.

Ben Bowlin

And I am Nashville’s own Benjamin Garst Bowlin.

Scott Benjamin

Garst?

Ben Bowlin

Yep.

Scott Benjamin

I didn’t know that about you.

Ben Bowlin

That is my middle name.

Scott Benjamin

Really?

Ben Bowlin

Um hm. It is a different world out there.

Scott Benjamin

Is that a family name?

Ben Bowlin

Probably. No, I’m kidding. It is. Maybe a better question is why have I decided to go kind of formal? What happened to the Ben Bowlin we used to know and love?

Scott Benjamin

Yeah. You do wear that snazzy hat, and sometimes a tie.

Ben Bowlin

That’s right. Scott, I realized that I am growing up. I am an aging driver.

Scott Benjamin

What a coincidence.

Ben Bowlin

Is it?

Scott Benjamin

Yes it is. Imagine that happening right here on our podcast, because get this. I read a report this week that said something about how America’s population is aging, obviously, and so are its drivers. With it comes some really interesting statistic along the way and stuff that I thought might – it might not be a long podcast, but it might be something we want to talk about to get some of these numbers out here. More than anything, what I think I’m looking for with this one is reader response – listener response I should say.

Ben Bowlin

Yes.

Scott Benjamin

We get feedback on this stuff. Recently we did one about driving age, was it too young? This is kind of the other side of that one. This is the elderly drivers. When are you too old, maybe, to drive? I know that’s sensitive for a lot of people.

Ben Bowlin

Sure.

Scott Benjamin

It’s particular sensitive for me right now.

Ben Bowlin

Oh, yeah? Why is that?

Scott Benjamin

I have aging grandparents. I have three living grandparents still, one of which is not a factor because she has never driven in her entire life, not one foot, as far as I know. The family lives locally, takes her to the grocery store, and things like that.

However, the grandparents on my father’s side, they are in their late 80s. My grandfather will be 89. Still driving, is licensed to drive, has passed all the tests and everything. I think his license is good until next year in March. At that point, I just don’t know if the vision is going to allow him to do it.

Ben Bowlin

Right, because macular degeneration specifically is so common after a certain age threshold.