Should old people be retested for their drivers licence?

[dpodblood]

Should people need to be retested for their drivers license once they reach a certain age? I have seen some old people do some pretty dangerous things. Driving through stop signs and red lights. Going so slow they impede traffic. Drifting in an out of lanes. I think once people reach a certain age they should be retested and prove they still have what it takes to be behind the wheel.

 

[Judgement]

After a certain age people should be retested every other year, imo

 

[Lean L]

I don't know. Seems like an insult in a lot of ways. It's not like the driver's test tests the ability to drive anyways. It just tests their ability to remember trivial driving facts that come into play once in half a decade.

 

[MotF Bane]

Let's just vote people off the roads at any point. Get enough thumbs up, and it's like the Colosseum for you.

 

[dpodblood]

I don't know. Seems like an insult in a lot of ways. It's not like the driver's test tests the ability to drive anyways. It just tests their ability to remember trivial driving facts that come into play once in half a decade.

I'm talking about a driving test. Not a written test. But actually both should be tested.

 

[classy]

Young people do far more damage behind the wheel of a car than old people do.

 

[Krynj]

Yes. Holy hell, yes.

 

[Lean L]

I'm talking about a driving test. Not a written test. But actually both should be tested.

If i recall correctly the driving test took you around the block and had you stop at a stop sign. Doesn't test much. I was doing 25 the whole time to avoid accidently going over the speed limit. At any rate, the DMVs are slow enough without walkers blocking the lines.

 

[Avalon]

Young people may drive recklessly, but old drivers are the ones that truly scare me.

 

[MotF Bane]

Young people do far more damage behind the wheel of a car than old people do.

Directly perhaps, but certainly not indirectly.

 

[TuxDave]

Young people do far more damage behind the wheel of a car than old people do.

I was about to chime in with this. You still have the problem with young people who may have the physical ability to drive safely but don't. 99% of the problem I see are usually with younger drivers texting away while they drive.

 

[dfuze]

I don't see why not, they keep saying it's a privelage not a right, so let's make sure people can still drive at a certain safe level.

 

[classy]

Unless they have been ticketed to the point it appears there may be a problem, then no.

 

[dfuze]

Now that I think a bit more, I'm surprised the gov doesn't make us all do this every 5/10 years, call it for our safety, but do it mostly to collect an extra fee out of us

 

[dpodblood]

Young people may drive recklessly, but old drivers are the ones that truly scare me.

This. Once people hit a certain age they just aren't physically or mentally capable of driving anymore. Of course it takes an accident before their license will be taken away. Retesting means maybe their license will be taken before it's too late.

 

[highland145]

Put them on the wii fit. It gives your "fit age" based on balance and shifting left or right to a prescribed point. My wife was 69. She's 48.

But it said I should weigh 166lbs at 6'1".

 

[dpodblood]

I was about to chime in with this. You still have the problem with young people who may have the physical ability to drive safely but don't. 99% of the problem I see are usually with younger drivers texting away while they drive.

There are already laws around texting/using the phone when driving. They just need to be enforced.

 

[highland145]

There are already laws around texting/using the phone when driving. They just need to be enforced.

Was in upper N.Y. in March, bro-in-law was on his cell and got pulled. Flashed his law enforcement ID and went about his way but they at least stopped him.

 

[ahenkel]

No not based on age alone.

 

[SKORPI0]

bro-in-law was on his cell and got pulled. Flashed his law enforcement ID and went about his way but they at least stopped him.

That's is what's so wrong, how can they expect the law to be followed when even the enforcers break them. Should have been given a ticket. Nobody should be above the law.

 

[dpodblood]

No not based on age alone.

What criteria would you use? It's just a fact of life that once you start getting older you will be less physically and mentally capable. Of course that age will differ a lot from person to person.

 

[highland145]

That's is what's so wrong, how can they expect the law to be followed when even the enforcers break them. Should have been given a ticket. Nobody should be above the law.

The cop was doing his job. By bro-in-law one upped him.

 

[gorcorps]

In some states I've heard that a certain number of blood relatives can legally request their aging family members to retake the test. I'm still hazy on how that process works though, or if they can even take the license away if they fail it.

 

[TuxDave]

There are already laws around texting/using the phone when driving. They just need to be enforced.

And same with speeding and reckless lane changes. They all need to be enforced. The same goes for old people and drifting in and out of lanes. It all just needs to get enforced.

 

[Kadarin]

Absolutely yes older people should be tested periodically.