CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WSAZ) -- A new report says we need new ways to gently, but definitively, determine when a driver needs to hand in their license.
There is concern about what's going to happen when millions of baby boomers start driving over the age of 65.
Traffic safety experts say it's important, because our licensing system isn't set up to weed out those who may need to think about handing in the keys.
Katherine Cofer has had a perfect driving record for over 50 years: no accidents, no tickets and she's never even been stopped by a cop.
"I think when I reach that age when I don't feel comfortable driving, when I feel my reflexes aren't good enough to drive, then I think it's time to quit," explained Cofer.
When to quit is a tough choice that safety experts are urging older drivers to think about before it happens.
"What can we do so that they still retain their independence, their lifestyle, their freedom, even if they can't drive," said Neil Schuster of the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators.
The AAA foundation reports in the next two decades, one in four drivers will be over 65.
Right now, there's not enough alternate transit to handle them.
AAA predicts as many as 10,000 a year could die in accidents if states don't better identify who needs to give up the keys.
Online videos train seniors and even offer quizzes to help them determine when it's time to quit.
AAA wants every state to set up a medical board to help decide, and to protect doctors who report patients they think shouldn't drive.
"What happens right now is most physicians are very reluctant to report those individuals because often times they end up being sued for making that report," said AAA's Peter Kissinger.
"Check the statistics: younger people have as many accidents and older people, and sometimes more," Katherine Cofer, a senior driver.
She expects she'll be driving another 20 years.
She's right.
Last year the Rand Corporation found teens and young adults cause 43% of accidents -- seniors were responsible for only 7%.
The AAA report says it's not about age, it's about ability.