Tom Wehr learned to drive at 16, when Bing Crosby crooned "Only Forever," and pork loin roast went for 49 cents a pound.

The now 89-year old isn't ready to hang up the car keys just yet.When will he know when it's time to stop driving?"I haven't figured that out yet," he says. "My memory is good and everything, so I don't think I have a problem so far."Wehr's brother, Warren, is 83, and also drives.When will he know it's time?"When I get that I can't understand anything," he says. "My mind is OK, and I see a lot of bad drivers that are young drivers."The Wehr brothers, of Lehighton, are among the 18 percent of Pennsylvania's 8.4 million licensed drivers who are age 65 or older. Their numbers are expected to continue to grow as the state's senior population increases.Although more older and elderly people are driving those who are age 80 or older rose from 323,115 in January 2003 to 424,809 in July of this year, according to the state Department of Transportation the overall number of fatal crashes has been decreasing.Nationally, an average of 5,925 drivers over age 65 were involved in fatal accidents between 2002 and 2011, according the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.Of the 1,771 fatal vehicle crashes in Pennsylvania in 2011, the most recent data available, drivers over the age of 65 were involved in 267.The state numbers show a slight drop over the years, down from a high of 294 in 2005.In Carbon County, about two older drivers were involved in fatal crashes during each of the years between 2002-2011. The average in neighboring Schuylkill and Monroe counties was about five in each year. In Lehigh County, the average was about eight, according to NHTSA.Drivers between ages 15 and 20 tend to have the highest crash rate, according to NHTSA.A doctor'sperspectiveGeriatric physician Danish Saeed of Lehigh Family & Geriatric Associates, says doctors must be sensitive but vigilant when considering their elderly patients' ability to drive safely."It's for your own safety, as well as the safety of others," Saeed says. "It's not just you on the road."Saeed looks at the whole person, the constellation of physical, mental and emotional health.He considers the person's physical status, including balance, strength and mobility. He also looks at mental health: Is the patient depressed or suffering from dementia?A patient with dementia might not be able to find his way home, and those with deep depression may become suicidal.Saeed also considers the medications his patients are taking that may make them drowsy or slow their reaction times, and whether they have certain medical conditions, including diabetes or seizure disorders.Of course, he screens eyesight and hearing, and makes sure to determine whether his patients are well-nourished so they are strong enough to drive.Good reflexes are also important, and Saeed screens those, too."When you have a little bit of suspicion as a physician, if you feel that this patient cannot drive safely, I think it's important to talk frankly with the patient directly," he says.It's also important, he says, to talk with family members who accompany the patient to his office.Saeed says that many patients take umbrage at being asked the questions aimed at determining whether they are still able to drive safely. He understands their concerns."That's their only independence," he says. "They fear that the doctor will take away their license."The doctor cannot "take away" anyone's license. However, he is bound to report to PennDOT any patient whom he believes to be unable to drive safely. PennDOT will test the person to see if he or she meets the criteria to have a driver's license.He's concerned that older people may avoid doctor appointments for fear of being judged incapable of safe driving.Saeed encourages younger folks to be patient and respectful of the elderly behind the wheel. They may drive more slowly, take extra time responding to a green light or turning corners."These are issues we will be facing when we age," he says.Although older drivers tend to be safer drivers, buckling their seat belts, mapping out routes, avoid driving in bad weather, and taking their time, they do have more accidents because of their physical limitations, Saeed says.That's supported by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention."Per mile traveled, fatal crash rates increase starting at age 75 and increase notably after age 80. This is largely due to increased susceptibility to injury and medical complications among older drivers rather than an increased tendency to get into crashes," the agency's website says.Recent local accidents provide examples. Last Saturday, a Slatington motorcyclist riding on Route 248 in Parryville died when his bike was struck by a 91-year-old driver, according to state police. On Sept. 20, an 89-year-old woman died when her car veered off Kunkletown Road in Eldred Township and hit a building. On July 4, a 90 year-old woman was charged with careless driving after a crash in Lansford.When is it time to hange up the car keysIt would make sense to stop driving when one cannot see clearly, or has increasing numbers of fender benders, or gets lost driving familiar routes. But giving up the freedom of hopping into the car and going wherever one pleases is tough to give up.Often, it is a family member who persuades an elderly relative to stop driving. Other times, the older driver's doctor steps in and alerts the state of his patient's diminished abilities to drive safely.PennDOT looks at a driver's ability, not age, says spokeswoman Jan Mc Knight."Age is not a determining factor in a driver's competency. Medical conditions are a much better indicator of whether someone can drive safely," she says.Doctors are required to report to PennDOT any patients whom they believe are no longer able to drive safely.Receiving medical information from a doctor triggers an evaluation process that may result in adding or deleting restrictions to the person's driving privilege. The person's license may be recalled or restored, or the person may be asked to provide more specific medical information, or be asked to complete a driver's examination, Mc Knight says.Although doctors are required to report people they believe are unable to drive safely, "anyone can report to PennDOT by writing a detailed letter regarding their observations and the driver's specific medical impairment(s)," Mc Knight says. "The letter must also include the writer's name and contact information."The letter can be mailed to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, P.O. Box 68682, Harrisburg, PA 17106-8682.However, filing a false medical report with Penn DOT is a crime, punishable by up to a $2,500 fine and one year in jail.The driver whose abilities are in question may be required to take a medical or drivers' exam, or both. Driver's skills tests are the same regardless of age. Knowledge tests for those over the age of 21 do not include questions regarding underage drinking, Mc Knight says.Drivers can have their licenses suspended or recalled if any of these conditions affect their ability to drive safely: deficiencies in visual acuity and field of vision standards; being unable to meet hearing requirements (for school bus drivers only); having a seizure disorder; having unstable diabetes; some cardiovascular conditions; cerebral vascular insufficiency; having periodic episodes of loss of consciousness and/or awareness; having loss or impairment of a joint or extremity; having rheumatic, arthritic, orthopedic, muscular, vascular or neuromuscular disease expected to last longer than 90 days; or using any drug or substance that is known to impair skill or function.In addition to physical problems, some mental conditions can also trigger a license recall, including cognitive impairments; inattentiveness to the task of driving (because of preoccupation, hallucination or delusion. for example); contemplation of suicide, as may be present in acute or chronic depression or in other disorders; and excessive aggressiveness or disregard for the safety of self or others or both, presenting a clear and present danger.The criteria are set by PennDOT's Medical Advisory Board, which includes a neurologist, a cardiologist, an internist, a general practitioner, an ophthalmologist, a psychiatrist, an orthopedic surgeon, an optometrist, and members from PennDOT, general counsel, Department of Health and the Pennsylvania State Police.Drivers whose licenses are suspended or recalled do have the right to appeal through their county court.In an effort to keep travelers safe, PennDOT each month chooses at random 1,900 drivers over the age of 45 for retesting seven months before their license is due for renewal. They are required to undergo vision and physical exams by the health care providers of their choice. If the results suggest a need, they will be required to take a driver's examination.