Re-test for older people?

[JAY97]

I'm sure most of you know what happened in Santa Monica, CA. Question is, do you think there should be a driving test once you hit a certain age, if so, how old?

Article

[CerOf]

I vote for age 65.

Take a written test and a driving test, get a discount on your insurance to boot!

[Joel_CA]

It varies from age to age. My father is just about ready to turn 65 and he's as sharp as a knife. On the other hand, I have seen others his age that barely have enough coordination left to walk, let alone drive? Perhaps after a certain age, ones drivers license should be renewed every 2 years with an eye exam and written test, and perhaps some type of coordination exam..?

Joel, CA

[Stod]

I completely agree that there should be annual testing (driving and vision included!). The retired population is probably around 60%+ where I live and, on a daily basis, I see elder drivers run stop signs (there are only 3 -!!- on our Main Street), drift over the center line, drive 10 mph and fail to brake until they start to turn without signaling...much more.

I actually know one lady (in her 80's) that had a wreck during her last driving test (she cannot hear or see, either). She failed that one and her license was held in suspension (not revoked!!). She petitioned the CA DMV to be re-evaluated. She physically could not get to the local DMV office 35 miles away. The DMV sent a tester to her house[/i] and she was only required to drive around the block....SHE GOT HER LICENSE BACK. We've spoken to her daughter, and the response was: "well, we can't stop her."

The DMV has restricted her driving to in-town only. Hhhmmm, apparently they don't feel people can die from being hit by a car only going 25 mph. Unbelievable.

NO regard for the adult or child she might kill one day.

Disgusting.

Cheers anyway from old people hell,
Stod

[2000ute]

I think a retest every 6 months is not totally irrational based on my wife's experience everyday in a retirement home and experiences first hand how a person can be fine and totally functional one day and be TOTALLY lost the next. Another solution would be to provide free public transportation for those who can no longer drive.

When someone loses the ability to operate a vehicle in our fast paced world there are other issues too, like the realization that one is losing control of one's life and this is NEVER easy to accept. Not being able to do for one's self is very difficult to come to terms with and causes alot of elderly to give up when they reach this point.

Providing as many services as possible for the elderly can help someone stay functional as well as be happy.

Ute

Ute

[monsportY2K]

If we are gonna make it hard for older people to drive in our streets in order to make it safe, then desides the eye and written test, we should also require health or medical tests at certain age. Should require to pass all of the three. A SC maybe able to pass the written and eye exam but if he or she has a medical condition that would hinder their driving ability then they should not be issued a license.
Even with all these rules, we still don't have the peace of mind that it's gonna stop them from driving in our roads. Look at drunk drivers........and other people who are driving without a license.

AL

[2000ute]

It is Ironic that old people do not have the right to die peacefully in the company of loved ones at home in their own bed but by all means if you want to get into a car and drive it off a cliff or through a farmers market, we will be more than happy to give you a driver's liscence regardless of your driving skills or age. I am at serious odds with the DMV. I HAVE to have a medical evaluation EVERY SINGLE YEAR for my Asthma that is controlled with an inhaler or they will suspend my liscence, but nearly every single day I encounter an aging driver who is a HAZARD to other traffic around them. Bullshit IMO. I think next time I renew my liscence I will just lie on the application to avoid the hassle. So much for being honest.

Ute