Would you support mandatory drivers license (re) testing at ~50

[HaxorNubcake]

I've seen plenty of older folks who drive rather recklessly (probably not intentionally). I'm sure that there are plenty of bad drivers at all ages, but I would logically think that as people get older, they aren't as good of drivers as they were before (haven't looked at stats though)

would you support some form of license retesting at a certain age?

 

[jagec]

YES! YES!!! PLEASE!!

 

[PHiuR]

how about every 10 years?

 

[Scouzer]

yes

every 5 years after 70

 

[intogamer]

Retesting to the elders and those with a bad record

 

[HaxorNubcake]

is there anything to this effect anywhere today?
yeah google is probably my friend, but I <3 atot more

 

[Zenmervolt]

Driver's licenses should be regulated like SCCA competition licenses.

ZV

 

[Black88GTA]

Absolutely. I said this already in the other thread. Mandatory retest every year starting at age 65, IMO.

 

[iamaelephant]

Erm, 50? Isn't that a bit young? 50 year olds aren't exactly losing it. Maybe from 65.

 

[montanafan]

50 is definitely too young, most people aren't exactly losing their faculties at that age, plus that's the largest age group in the population right now. The cost would probably far outweigh any revenues generated by fees for the testing. You're also talking about angering a huge block of voters.

Though it makes sense to re-test elderly drivers, you're always going to have a difficult time getting any legislation of that sort passed because it's so upsetting to people to have their freedom to get around on their own taken away and older people are the most organized and consistent voters. Legislators don't like to anger the elderly.

 

[mjh]

I wonder how many accidents and deaths will have to be caused by elderly drivers before this is something that states would seriously consider. Perhaps keeping regulations on both teenage drivers and elderly drivers would be a good idea for everyone out on the road.

Originally posted by: Black88GTA
Absolutely. I said this already in the other thread. Mandatory retest every year starting at age 65, IMO.

Realistically, forcing the elderly to take a driving test every year would probably not happen.

 

[Yossarian]

50 isn't old unless you're in high school.

 

[ntdz]

Not at 50, but I would starting at 65...

 

[Black88GTA]

Originally posted by: mjh
I wonder how many accidents and deaths will have to be caused by elderly drivers before this is something that states would seriously consider. Perhaps keeping regulations on both teenage drivers and elderly drivers would be a good idea for everyone out on the road.

Originally posted by: Black88GTA
Absolutely. I said this already in the other thread. Mandatory retest every year starting at age 65, IMO.

Realistically, forcing the elderly to take a driving test every year would probably not happen.

Of course it's not realistic. But it would be nice.

The truth is, everyone knows that a large percentage of old people are hazardous drivers, and DO NOT belong behind the wheel of a 3,000 lb vehicle. But, as montanafan said, nothing will ever be done about it because pissing off old people is equivalent to political suicide. Old retirees vote in droves - and no old person will vote for someone who advocates something that will ultimately make life more difficult for them.

So, the end result is that lawmakers and politicians turn the other way on this issue (and others like it), even though it would be in the public's best interest to do something about it. Instead, they focus all their attention on young drivers, since none of them are legally able to vote anyway, and therefore have no bearing on their chances for re-election when it comes due. Things like this are one reason I hate politics / politicians.

 

[iamaelephant]

Originally posted by: Black88GTA
The truth is, everyone knows that a large percentage of old people are hazardous drivers, and DO NOT belong behind the wheel of a 3,000 lb vehicle.

Really? So you have the studies handy to back this claim up? No one is denying that some elderly people are a danger on the road, but a large percentage? I doubt it.

So, the end result is that lawmakers and politicians turn the other way on this issue (and others like it), even though it would be in the public's best interest to do something about it. Instead, they focus all their attention on young drivers, since none of them are legally able to vote anyway, and therefore have no bearing on their chances for re-election when it comes due. Things like this are one reason I hate politics / politicians.

Don't blame the politians, their hands are tied. They can legislate all they want, they will just be out-voted. Blame the arrogant old people.

 

[MOCKBA1]

What about upon report? I know people can report just for joking, so no anonymous. But if you see some driver behaves really bad, like not stopping then just report license plate using my web site. If report score for certain license reached threshold, then a driver needs a restest regardless age. What do you think?

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: MOCKBA1
What about upon report? I know people can report just for joking, so no anonymous. But if you see some driver behaves really bad, like not stopping then just report license plate using my web site. If report score for certain license reached threshold, then a driver needs a restest regardless age. What do you think?

How about this: Every licensed driver has an option to come into the PD or DMV to file a complaint about a driver. If you complain about a driver, they get re-tested, HOWEVER the person who filed the complaint also has to get re-tested. That would eliminate most of the pranksters, and the people who just want to inconvenience someone else.

 

[ViperVin2]

Yes, my mom was hit just a few weeks ago while some old guy was trying to park.

 

[wfbberzerker]

i would. unfortunately, the largest voting block wouldn't.

 

[spp]

i was right next to this old lady when she suddenly decided to merge into my lane today.... so i would say HELL YES!!

 

[badmouse]

Originally posted by: Falcon39
Erm, 50? Isn't that a bit young? 50 year olds aren't exactly losing it. Maybe from 65.

I'm 55. Most of my friends are around my age. A lot of them shouldn't be driving.

The best reason to start testing at 50 is that you're still young enough to fix a lot of the things that start messing you up. Get better glasses, change medications so that you don't space out or lose your perspective (or identify medical things that are screwing you up), get retrained on current laws and regulations, etc.

 

[FirNaTine]

I drive fire apparatus for a living and some of the best drivers I work with are 45-55. They've been driving long enough to have extensive experience, but they are still young enough to react quickly and handle those vehicles. And believe me, driving a 40-80 thousand pound vehicle through traffic under all conditions requires keen skills and physical ability from anyone. So I tend to think 50 is too young unless the person is in horrible medical condition. As they approach 60-65 maybe re-evaluate them. You could even have graduated licensing at that stage. For example: If the problem is their night vision (common among seniors) restrict them to daylight driving, etc.

 

[GrammatonJP]

yes, the last accident I saw was an older lady, really white grey hair.. she droved her new camry into a nyc bus. I honk to warn her that she was driving into the bus.. but it was too late.

she got out of the car and ask me what happened... I told her you drove into the bus...

she didn't realized her passenger side was all dented, including the hub caps and mirror.

 

[Acanthus]

Originally posted by: intogamer
Retesting to the elders and those with a bad record

completely agree.

 

[waggy]

hell yes i think they should.


just wonder how many reports we are going to have of a old guy who has a bad record plowing into a crowd of people.