Originally posted by Raiyn
Drivers over 65 should have to take a mandatory vision / behind-the-wheel driving skills test every 2 years. Those younger should have to take the same test every 5 years (or whenever it comes up for renewal in your location) I for one am sick to death of getting buzzed by 82 year old women who weigh 70 lbs and can't see over the wheel of their 1972 Coupe De Ville
Raiyn - did you read the article?
It specifically said the exact opposite of what you are proposing. Please read the following quotes:
"Most important, we must dismiss the notion of a single, simple solution. Elder driving cannot be viewed in a vacuum - nor can the lack of concrete action taken to address the issue.
Publicize the warning signs of diminished road competence for aging drivers so they and their families can better identify them and take action before tragedies occur.
Increase physician education about medical conditions that can impair older patients' driving skills. Though it could strain doctor-patient trust, physicians should be required to refer seniors for further evaluation when a clear risk to personal and public health exists
Develop comprehensive, objective, technologically sophisticated driver evaluations to replace simplistic vision and road tests. Given the tremendous variation between individuals and degree of impairment, it should not be age or diagnosis alone that determines whether drivers can keep their licenses."
The whole point of the article was that there is not and should not be a simplistic solution, as you propose by stating:
Drivers over 65 should have to take a mandatory vision / behind-the-wheel driving skills test every 2 years
Then you attempt to prove your statements about those over 65 by discussing someone who is 82.
getting buzzed by 82 year old women
What does a 82 year-old woman have to do with a test for those over 65?
I know that to some of our younger subscribers and participants, 65 seems ancient. I am 64, have excellent vision and hearing, fast reflexes, can ride a bike 100 miles in a day, have never caused an accident in 52 years of driving - I have had only two tickets in my life - the last one in 1977 for being in a 4:00 pm bus lane at 4:01 (my watch was slow - this was a "trap" with 3 police cars pulling folks over) and the other at age 21 (1960) for going through a stop sign at 3 miles per hour. I drive over 20,000 miles per year.
I have taken three different "defensive driving courses" and special courses about how to drive a fire truck (something I used to do).
Yes, there are some folks my age, and a LOT of folks about 21 - 25, who need to have driver's tests and education. But, this can not be based upon an attained age. It has to be based upon driving record, and other kinds of criteria as suggested in the article that apparently you missed.