My concern is that most of these accidents that go in the media are caused by the elderly people who do not NEED to drive. Accident rates by older people in rural Japan, where a car is essential for travel, are very low.

Some of the older Japanese are much more responsible. My host father is going to stop driving when he is 80, in a couple of months. He says it is best to do that before an accident.

In some Asian countries (particularly those with one party rule), the response would have been a ban on elderly drivers. At least there is more restraint here, when it comes to solving this problem.

I have a personal experience that can relate to this. I was cycling past this light truck, stopped by a vegetable field, one day. The old man in the truck opened the door on my side, and I went flying and landed on some leeks :-p. The ojii-san was terrified, and I was angry; luckily, I had only one shallow cut.

I guess there are times we can be careful, and there are other times that won't be enough. I hope automatic driving gets better and that can help the elderly.