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

[froglady]

Of course, what's "elderly?" Many of you have put 60 (my DH's age at his next birthday) as "elderly." I don't agree, and neither do most employers. Heck, SS wants people in our age group to continue working (and most of us drive to our jobs) until 67, and eventually, 70. Perhaps 70 should be the cut off.

Or is this like "wealthy." When a poll was taken, almost evey respondent, regardless of income, named wealthy as being anyone who made 100,000-150,000 more than he/she made. Maybe "old" is anyone 20 years or older than you.

 

[jonestavern]

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).
.

Once every 9 yrs between 20 -38; for the 39-50 age group, once
then once every 3 years; 50 & up every other year. Mostly for vision & hearing as well as coordination factors. So many folks don't want to believe they have a need for eyeglasses or visual aids, take into consideration the SUV factor & whoa! it gets too scary--
Personally, I go for eye exams regularly, but did notice my eyes' reaction time slowed considerably begining about 41 yrs of age. I have no problem with being tested every x number of yrs or tested by an age scale--let's just make the roads safer

Jean

 

[Papa Deuce]

Of course, what's "elderly?" Many of you have put 60 (my DH's age at his next birthday) as "elderly." I don't agree, and neither do most employers. Heck, SS wants people in our age group to continue working (and most of us drive to our jobs) until 67, and eventually, 70. Perhaps 70 should be the cut off.

Or is this like "wealthy." When a poll was taken, almost evey respondent, regardless of income, named wealthy as being anyone who made 100,000-150,000 more than he/she made. Maybe "old" is anyone 20 years or older than you.

"Elderly" as far as a term is rather intangible. But "elderly" as far as reflexes go? Certainly 60 year old people have slower reflxes than a 35 year old, with exceptions, of course. That can be tested.

 

[edcrbnsoul]

I think retesting every 10 years would be good.

 

[ilovepcot]

Hey ED!

Something certainly needs to be done, in fact, has needed to be done for a long time. My grandmother, who couldn't pass the vision test at age 70, was given a license anyway when she told the officer testing her that she was scheduled for cataract surgery in 2 months. He took her word for it and renewed her license for 4 more years! She could have wiped out a family on her way home from the highway patrol station. My dad is legally blind and just renewed his license and doesn't hear well at all. I argued, begged and pleaded with both my parents to not have him renew his license as he drives out of town for doctors visits alone. They both more or less told me where to get off (in the sweetest but firmest way). What can you do?

 

[Lil_Tink]

Yes...Maybe not even after at x age..What about something like every 10 years or such?

 

[LindsayDunn228]

But you know what, I think most any yin yang can drive well enough to pass a test. Here where I live, all you had to do was drive around the block downtown, which is mostly one way streets. Not really a challenge.

 

[Papa Deuce]

But you know what, I think most any yin yang can drive well enough to pass a test. Here where I live, all you had to do was drive around the block downtown, which is mostly one way streets. Not really a challenge.

I have NO IDEA what they do now in PA, but I drove an obstacle course, had to parallel park, pull up within 6" of a curb, do panic stops..... all in a huge parking lot. Never went on the street at all.

My motorcycle test was even harder.

 

[Amlee]

I have seen just as many KIDS who shouldn't have been on the roads. I agree with the testing. We have to renew our DL's ever 4 years here. So I would say test ever 4 years. But one thing that has to be looked at is who is going to cart around all of those that fail? If you live in a city that has PT then hey that works out great!! But I'm in rural Alabama. We are lucky to have sidewalks.

 

[tiggerlover]

I definitely think there should be a testing system in place, especially for those who reach their mid 60's. I have noticed over the years with my own parents that their driving habits/abilities changed with age. I especially noticed it after they both got into their 70's. When my dad was around 78 or so DH was riding somewhere with him and after that day in the car he said he would never get in the car with him again.

 

[RadioNate]

Yes I agree with you, I'll try to find it but didn't AAA release a study that if you remove 16 year olds from the statistics that 65+ now account for more fatal accidents than the traditional (16)17-25 year olds.

 

[Stacey2grls]

I think everyone should be retested every 10 years in the very least. One thing that drives me crazy these days are all these people with HUGE SUV's that simply cannot operate it. I have a couple of friends that have told me that their husbands wanted the truck but they really have a hard time driving it. That is just nuts. I have an SUV myself, but it is at least a manageable size.

 

[2BigKIdz]

YES!!!!!

Maybe not even a certain age, maybe ever couple of years EVERYONE should have to pass the driving test.

 

[Servants of Evan]

A few quick (non-PC) points -- First and foremost, Driving is a priveledge, not a right. It seems far too difficult to take away a persons license. In my state, they let the convicted DUIers drive, though they are supposed to have a bold yellow and red license plate to help warn the general public. This person was obviously convicted of driving a 2,000+ Pound vehicle which had the potential of killing numerous people, yet is allowed to quickly rejoin the motoring public.

Additionally, I've had my run-ins with a few seniors who had no right behind the wheel of a golf-cart let alone a car. Three years ago I took away my mother's drivers license. As a result of a stroke she no longer had the mental capacity to safely navigate our roads. The state had no problem with her driving, but I sure did. There were tears shed when she turned her car back into the dealer, but a few months later a senior plowed into a group of kids waiting at a bus stop. Again, that person had no business being behind the wheel of a car, but thank goodness it wasn't my mom!

Up until two days ago I would have said manditory testing should come at 64-65 years old. Following sunday night, my thoughts have changed a bit. After just being literally run off the road by a 30 something (and I'm 30 something so I'm not throwing stones) I'll say my opinion has gotten a bit harsher... So, if you were the male driving the red Dodge Durango paying far more attention to dialing your cell phone and what was on the stupid LCD video screen over your head than the lane you were in, bully for you. Really, Congratulations. I'll also assume you have a nice stereo because my warning "honks" for watching your lane were completely ignored, and I'm glad my anti-lock brakes did a nice job on the wet pavement when you swerved and blew the lane completely...

So, with that being said I think we need a new solution. I propose the following. When you purchase a new car, it should come equipped with two short range surface-to-surface missles. If you're cut off or someone totally P$$#$ you off, then fine -- vaporise them. But beware, you only get two missles and there are no replacements. You'll have to think wisely about expending that second missle... Ask yourself, "Are they missle-worthy?" Additionally, you now have to think about everyone around you who may have their full allowance of missles on board. I bet you'll be better at using your turn signal now, won't you?

 

[Sylvester McBean]

live in florida during snow bird season right now. it's just like the episodes of 'seinfeld' where his dad drove that cadillac while wearing the huge eyeglasses. you learn to avoid the out of state tags. but florida isn't helping the residents out. I'm 37 and just renewed my license. a quick eye test and I'm good until 2012.

18 to drive, cell phones banned. I'm OK with that.

 

[Amlee]

So, with that being said I think we need a new solution. I propose the following. When you purchase a new car, it should come equipped with two short range surface-to-surface missles. If you're cut off or someone totally P$$#$ you off, then fine -- vaporise them. But beware, you only get two missles and there are no replacements. You'll have to think wisely about expending that second missle... Ask yourself, "Are they missle-worthy?" Additionally, you now have to think about everyone around you who may have their full allowance of missles on board. I bet you'll be better at using your turn signal now, won't you?

I would pay good money to have that attached to my truck.


Something that REALLY and I mean REALLY bothers me is seeing 16, 17, and 18 year old high school students driving 40 to 60K cars and SUVs. What the crap are those parents thinking????? What happen to getting mom or dads hand me down junker?

 

[LindsayDunn228]

I have NO IDEA what they do now in PA, but I drove an obstacle course, had to parallel park, pull up within 6" of a curb, do panic stops..... all in a huge parking lot. Never went on the street at all.

My motorcycle test was even harder.

That's awesome to know!!! Here any idiot can get licensed.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

I would pay good money to have that attached to my truck.


Something that REALLY and I mean REALLY bothers me is seeing 16, 17, and 18 year old high school students driving 40 to 60K cars and SUVs. What the crap are those parents thinking????? What happen to getting mom or dads hand me down junker?

I agree with you on that one. I find it really sad.

 

[Mermaid02]

I don't know- but I work in a hospital and have to take people to their appointments daily. They get out of their car, have it valet parked, and then they guys at the door help them into a wheel chair- sometimes they have to help them put their feet on the footrests. Scares me to death because they just DROVE there. You can't get into a wheel chair alone, but you drove to the hospital. Their reflexes are totally shot. Of course some people have modified cars- but these aren't the patients I'm talking about.

Edited to add:
My dh's Nana is 88 and should NOT be driving. She can hardly lift her feet so she doesn't stumble- but every once in a while I'll see her on the road. Scares me for her and everyone else.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

Mermaid, it may be a "that's what they are paid to do, so do it" mentality. Laziness at it's finest.