I remember a few years ago, there was a bill in the California state senate that "would require California drivers age 75 and older to pass a written and road test when their licenses come up for renewal. Those tests would be required more frequently as the drivers get older, until, at age 90, they would need to renew every year."

It didn't make it through the Assembly. Various seniors' groups protested that it was age discrimination, that it unfairly assumed old people were more likely to be bad drivers. " 'If testing of drivers is going to be fair, it should be done randomly, not just on the suspicion that older drivers are more susceptible to accidents,' [said Pat Luby, spokesman for the American Association of Retired Persons]."

IT'S NOT 'JUST A SUSPICION,' IT'S THE FACTS, GOD DAMN IT. What is wrong with having to take a test? If you pass, you're fine, no problem. But nobody is entitled to drive just because they're a nice person and have been driving for 40 years. REALITY dictates that older peoples' perceptions and reflexes, in general, become less than they once were. You have to be able to control your fastmoving piece of heavy machinery.

I understand that people worry about their independence, but that's just one of the things you have to PLAN and THINK AHEAD FOR in the normal course of life; be creative, and realistic. My grandpa quit driving when he decided it was time; my grandma never even learned. I admit it was easy enough for them because my parents only live a mile away, and being retired themselves were easily available to help with any needed trips. Those less lucky to be living near helpful relatives and/or friends... in an ideal world ought to have more societal help in remaining independent -- I'm all for pervasive and speedy public transit -- but failing that, have to be creative and adapt themselves.

" 'We're for safety,' [said Patrick Chaplin, president of the Long Beach Harbor Chapter of the Teamsters Retiree Association]. 'If someone has a bad driving record, they should be called in to take this test, but just to mandate it by age seems discriminatory.' "

Oh. So, we ought to wait until older drivers have accidents and KILL SOMEBODY (perhaps themselves) before we test them?

Tell that to the people who were at the Santa Monica farmers' market yesterday afternoon.
(CNN)
(New York Times)
(San Diego Union Tribune)
(Washington Post)

copyright 2003 carrie lynn king.