Should drivers need to take a driving test after reaching "x" years old?

[Papa Deuce]

I'm not saying the collective elderly should not drive --- not at all. But I do think that they should be TESTED to see if they still have the needed skills to drive. If you're a 100 years old, and can still pass, God bless ya, and enjoy the ride.

But if you're 60 ( or whatever number ) and CAN"T pass the test, then off the roads you come. I would say that if you fail one time, that should not lead to immediate revoking of a license. Maybe a 2 out of 3 might be the way to go.

And, if you think testing is appropriate, how often should the test be taken?

My thoughts?

Test at 62, and re-test every 3 - 4 years. If ya pass, ya drive. If not, then the roads are a whole lot safer!

 

[golfgal]

I know a lot of 30 or 40 year olds that should take tests, too. I don't see anything wrong with testing people on their driving ability after x number of years. I think the issue would be profiling the elderly, which, as we all know, is terribly unpolitically correct.

 

[Papa Deuce]

I know a lot of 30 or 40 year olds that should take tests, too. I don't see anything wrong with testing people on their driving ability after x number of years. I think the issue would be profiling the elderly, which, as we all know, is terribly unpolitically correct.

I'm not a PC person. And let's face it, your skills are much more likely to have eroded at age 65 than at age 40. Just a fact. I'll be elderly one day, I hope, and I have NO PROBLEM with taking a TEST.

 

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

Absolutely. And it's not necessarily just "seniors" who should be retested. Maybe everyone should be tested more than just at age 16. I think they should test often, reducing the number of years between tests as you age. Maybe they should coincide with license renewals, which in PA is every four years.

And I agree with golf gal...I am guilty of bad driving at 35, though not all the time. Just last night I turned left at an intersection while the light was red (oncoming traffic only had green). DD tried to stop me but I was just not "there" and completely missed the point that I was not supposed to be moving. Luckily there was very little traffic (9pm) and I didn't pose harm to anyone else on the road. I was so embarrassed and hoped the driver behind me wasn't a police officer or following me in to the shopping center.

 

[GoofyDad869]

Why stop with the collective elderly? I think EVERYBODY should be tested for driving proficiency, at least once every ten years. We're talking about 1-1/2 ton to 2 ton (large SUVs, vans & pickups are approaching 2-1/2 ton) vehicles operating at speeds & volume significantly above what most roadways traveled upon were originally designed for. Most people learn to drive in an (at best) mid-size sedan, most drivers on the road are in SUVs or pick-ups (the percentage is well over 60% here in TN based on tag renewals).

Maybe a graduated system where young drivers (younger than 21) would be tested every 3 years, then every 5 years while in the 20s, then every 10 years in the 30s, 40s & 50s, then back down to every 5 in the 60s, then back down to every 3 years at 70+.

 

[Jennifer S]

Yes!! I think evry say 10 years everyone should get tested.

 

[RobinMarie]

If you fail the test, can you take it again?

 

[GoofyDad869]

I'm not a PC person. And let's face it, your skills are much more likely to have eroded at age 65 than at age 40. Just a fact. I'll be elderly one day, I hope, and I have NO PROBLEM with taking a TEST.

I'm not a PC person either - so...

Your skills at 18 haven't developed to where they're at when you're 30.

And I've seen some crappy drivers (and have been THAT crappy driver, on occasion) of all ages. But statistics show you're way more likely to BE (whether the cause or an innocent) in an accident either A) within 5 years of initial license, or B) 65+ years old. That's not profiling - that's fact.

 

[Papa Deuce]

If you fail the test, can you take it again?

In my OP, I suggested a 2 out of 3 plan if you fail the first time.

 

[poohandwendy]

Yes, I think people over the age of 60 should be tested every 5 years. I do not think it should apply to poeple who are younger unless they have a record of accidents or speeding tickets.

I think the amount of testing some people are proposing for most drivers (like every few years) is excessive/costly and unnecessary.

 

[Laurajean1014]

I believe drivers should take a refresher course and test every X years, not when they reach a certain age. That would be discrimination.

 

[RobinMarie]

DMV isn't exactly a shining example of organization and timely response - can't imagine them tracking/testing this.

 

[Papa Deuce]

I believe drivers should take a refresher course and test every X years, not when they reach a certain age. That would be discrimination.

I can see why on the surface it seems that way, but as a matter of fact, and not guessing, you just slow down as you get older. Like I said, I hope to live to a ripe old age, and I would take the test without any complaint.

 

[KarenAylwood]

I'm not a PC person either - so...

Your skills at 18 haven't developed to where they're at when you're 30.

And I've seen some crappy drivers (and have been THAT crappy driver, on occasion) of all ages. But statistics show you're way more likely to BE (whether the cause or an innocent) in an accident either A) within 5 years of initial license, or B) 65+ years old. That's not profiling - that's fact.

Totally agree.

 

[MoniqueU]

I lost my drivers license at age 30 due to an eye disease I have. I had never heard of the disease before and had no idea I had it. I drove myself and my kids around for years with diminised peripherial vision. The doctor that diagnosed me couldn't believe I had driven myself to the appt. That was the next to the last time I have driven.
I am so glad I didn't get in an accident and injure my children or someone elses. I fully support any and all testing of people of all ages. These automatic renewals they do of so many people that have no business driving kind of tick me off.

 

[urglewurgle]

i don't think people should be retested at a certain age.. but retested a certain number of years after taking their test the first time...

 

[plutolovr]

Oh, this is a major pet peeve with me. I do think driver should be tested when they reach a certain age. Although I think everyone should be tested at least every 10 years until they reach age 60, then maybe at renewal because people's abilities change, or circumstances change.

Elderly drivers are definitely a road hazard. I know younger drivers are too at time, but they're inexperienced and that is to be expected. But if you ever notice, when the elderly have "accidents" they take out large numbers of people and always blame it on the gas pedal "sticking" I don't think so!

Driving is not a right, it is a priviledge. Discriminate away as far as I'm concerned.

Here in New Jersey, elderly people used to be able to send in their license renewals, now they have to go in person, so if someone looks like they are incapable they can do something about it. About two years ago in NJ an elderly person actually crashed her car into the window at MV when she went to renew her license, they gave it to her.

 

[pfishgirl]

I agree


as a former EMT... I had seen way to many edlery cause accidents because they "Forget" they can't turn Left across a main highway..

I honestly believe that ALL people should be tested every so many years and as you reach a certain age test more often...

 

[Marseeya]

I'm with you on this one, Papa Deuce. I sure wouldn't cry foul when it comes time to test me either.

My dad is a danger to himself and everybody else on the roads right now, but there is no system in check to prevent him from driving. He's mostly deaf and half blind. His reaction time is way slow. My sister and I try to do what we can to keep him off the roads, but the only thing that's going to stop him from driving is a morgue.

 

[NeverlandClub23]

I have always thought that regardless of accidents or tickets EVERY driver should have to take a driving test every five years or so. There are lots of horrible drivers out there that I see every day(I drive an hour and a half each way on my daily commute). Tonight on my way home from work there was a six car pile up which blocked both lanes of interstate for hours and two Nightingales had to air lift people to a hospital. It's really sad to see so many accidents every day, but I think until people slow down and stop driving recklessly like they have 5 minutes to get home, even the tests won't be effective.