Are YOU safe to drive?

Ed1937

I think we all know that as people age, the chances for driving safely go down. That's just the way it is. Illness, hearing difficulties, reaction time, and vision all contribute to safe/unsafe driving. I think I still drive without a problem, as I'm sure you do too. So what kind of new laws would you support to keep the roads safer? Since 65 and older seems to be the age where it is assumed to become riskier for people to drive safely, I would support a road test yearly or every other year in order to keep a driver's license when you reach that age. I would also back a law requiring you to have a driving road test soon after being in an accident, regardless of your age.

It's possible that even if we think we're safe to drive, we really aren't. So any new laws could potentially affect our ability to get or keep our license. I think it's worth it. So what new laws would you support?

jfkoc

I heartily support annual testing!!!!!

piozam13

I'm 75 active, fit and healthy.  But many my age aren't.  And Ed is right.  I support annual testing maybe after 70.

GothicGremlin

I don't know. I guess when I really think about it, I would support annual testing at some age, but I'm not sure at what age.  75 maybe?

The reason why I hesitate is because it's really about safety, not age. There are plenty of people out there who are unsafe to drive at any age. My s.o. is a horrible driver (he'd agree with me). I've been in three car wrecks in my life and he was driving in each of them, and each of these happened when he was in his late 20s-early 30s. When I'm in the car with him now, I drive. Always. It's a rule.

Long before Peggy was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, she was also a horrible driver. She totaled two cars in her time.  Needless to say, I wouldn't let her drive me around either. 

Then there are people who text, put on their make-up, etc., when they drive. They're also unsafe on the road.

Logistics of annual testing could very well be a bear. DMVs are always understaffed (at least it seems that way in California). How far in advance do you need to plan in order to take an annual driving test? Will people over a certain age get priority with appointments? What about new drivers?

It seems really fraught.

Whyzit

I am 81 and 1/2. Lol I got my latest license in 2019  and it expires on my birthday in 2025 when I will be 84 (whew) .  It probably will be renewed by mail as that is how it is done here. My major problem in driving is getting my rolator in and out of the car. I don’t know how much longer I’ll be driving but that is why I chose to live where I do. Our condo association owns a van and it is used to go shopping or on special events. Dial-a-ride operates in our town and it costs $25 a year for singles and $35 for a couple. I use it for medical appointments in an adjacent town. I don’t drive on expressways or at night because I’m not comfortable doing so. Where I live the roads are mostly two lanes which makes a huge difference. Some of our condo neighbors don’t drive anymore and rightfully so, others shouldn’t as evidenced by the scrapes and bumps on their cars. There are some who drive that I wouldn’t accept a ride from. The only damage on my car was caused by hail. I have had one ticket in my life when I was 19.

Generally, at my age I think it would be appropriate to have less time between license renewals, have in-person renewal with eye test, reaction testing and cognitive testing.

harshedbuzz

Mayor Ed-

The logistics of this would be a nightmare. The DMV can barely handle the crush of teenagers getting their first test. Testing here is by appointment and generally about a month out during the school year-- longer during the summer. Perhaps a computer simulation could be used for re-testing but even that would require additional equipment and personnel. 

How do you propose we pay for it all? Increased taxes? Higher licensing fees? Should there be a senior surcharge for a license renewed after a certain age? What age would that be? 

HB

Ed1937

HB, you bring up some valid points. I guess my answer to that would be that we can keep fees in check by leaving things as they are, but at what cost? How much is even one life worth? I know not everybody would support something like this, but I would. 

A computer simulation could be a good thing to consider if you want to keep costs down. It seems that would be much more affordable, and could be given at the time of license renewal, without a physical road test.

Bob in LW

Here in California a driver's license cannot be renewed by mail after age 70. A driving test is not ordered simply because of age, but when taking the written test, it can be required if the applicant's ability is observed to be questionable.