Do you think that states should require senior citizens to take a driving test after a certain age?

What sorts of things should they test them on? I don't care if they can paralell park, I think they should definitely check their eye sight, reaction abilities, and find some way to test their driving judgment before letting some "questionable" seniors back out on the road. Mistaking the gas for the break?!? How dangerous is that??? A lot of people say that it will rob them of their independence....but don't you think that public safety is more important than independence? If they are safe to drive then they shouldn't have anything to worry about right?

richie

When a person reaches age 65, they should have to go through testing, but it should be designed for seniors. When a person gets older, they're reaction time slows, eyesight becomes worse and the cars become much larger. They have a right to be on the road, but not if they're putting other motorists at risk.

Spazz

YES-You are absolutly right. I'm only 43, but when the day comes that I can't tell the difference between the gas peddle and the brake, then I should soooooooooooo not be driving. How could any senior live with themselves if they were the cause of a death do to thier driving skills or lack of them? I think a senior should be tested at the age of 65 and then every year after that. [the same age as when you retire]. If you have a history of bad health, then a doctor should "by law" have to write a letter for you to give to the driving instructor explaining this health issue and the person in question should have to take the road test every year.

everythingszenidontthinkso

Yes I do. After a while not only does there sight start to go but there memory does to. My husband grandfather had altimers and he passed the sight test and was still able to drive. I had to convince the family to take he keys away. It is very dangerous, you don't know how many people there are driving around with a bad brain.

violett

most definitely

oklatom

Every time your license comes up for renewal, regardless of age (at least in most states) your eyes are checked.

I think anyone with more than 3 minor violations or one major one should be required to take a test, regardless of age.

woodsonhannon53

oh,yeh.I have thought that for a long time.There are good old drivers and bad and the bad need to stop driving,period.i know a few and they are a hazard to others and themselves

msjerge

they should require senior citizen to take the writing and driving test. That way it can protect them from accident

jen

Yes I do, especially in Arizona. Our licence renewals are good for 20 years which is plenty of time for vision and reaction time to diminish.

Doctors are supposed to notify the Dept of Motor Vehicles when older persons are not fit to drive, so you can yank their license, but unless you take their keys, we'd all better stay alert while driving.

jarpre85

I AGREE WITH WHAT YOU ARE SAYING BUT I ALSO BELIEVE THAT TEENAGERS SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO RENEW THEIRS ALSO. IN GERMANY YOU DONT GET YOUR LICENSE UNTIL YOU ARE 21. AFTER FIVE YEARS OF DRIVING WITH A INSTRUCTOR.

bugs280

They should be tested the same as a new driver. They try to parallel park in my neighborhood. Driving safely is all about reactions and judgment. To many seniors have lost it.

Lou B

Great question:
The answer you give now to your own question would change if you were much older.
To answer your question you must check out the statistics.
Older drivers are the safest drivers on the road,and because of this their insurance rates are lower. Teen agers, with their great eye sight and reflexes, have the most accidents, and the highest insurance rates.

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