DrCloud

If only the State of Florida agreed with you, we'd have lots safer highways down here, not to mention much less crowded. HPH

DERF

[QUOTE=dean,Jul 9 2006, 07:16 AM]

demade

ralper

I'm in favor of testing as well, and not some blanket age. Still, on the other hand, I'm sure the gentleman in the story would have passed the test.

This is a very difficult problem.

plankfarm

I would say Doctors should have some sort of computer connection to the DMV to let the 'powers that be' have some notice of mental or physical impairment (other than loss of limb/eyeglasses).

My Father had Alzheimer's and should have been off the road WAAAAYYYY before he 'voluntarily' gave up his driving privleges.

My Mother is Schizophrenic...and let me tell you, when she went off her meds you DID NOT want to be on the road with her. (She also 'voluntarily' gave up her driving privleges when she turned 62, but from the age of 19 years old on, there were times she had 'breaks' that she should NOT have been on the road.)

IMHO, I think an auto-cross type of driving test should be mandatory every year for those considered eligible for social security benefits as well as those who have mental or physically progressive diseases.

For those of us who LIKE auto cross---it would be fun!
For those who have problems---evidence of such would probably show up during the test.

RC - Ryder

Age alone does not seem to be an appropriate factor. I've seen too many dangerous not that old people. I too favor testing and limitations based on medical evaluations for specific debilitations. I ride with my near 84 year old father and he does amazingly well, but he likes to pull out at times and frustrates easily. I think the senior lobby is far too strong though to get serious testing criteria in place. Too often younger debilitated drivers much like older drivers are like drunk drivers and always think they can drive. I'm not too hopeful really.

Legal Bill

Bigot!

Lainey

My father stopped driving around 84 years old. It was a year or two before he passed away. He should have stopped sooner. He was not in good health and his reflexes were poor.

My Mom is 84 and still drives. She got her license at age 50 or so, and had a few accidents within the first 5 years. Maybe it was simply inexperience? She's had quite a few years accident free, but recently she was involved in a fender bender. It was her fault. She's in very good health and of sound mind, but we'll be paying extra attention to this issue.

dean

My mother got her license, got a divorce, and retired almost all in the same week when she turned sixty two.
She drives much better than many of the younger people around here and has never had an accident other than a couple of dings from people backing into her car in parking lots. She doesn't like driving at night and she's somewhat intimidated by heavy traffic, so she avoids both. I usually get called in to drive for her when she can't avoid either situation.
I bought her a cell phone so that she could call me if she ever has a problem out on the road, but I think the idea was lost on her. Most of the time she leaves it at home on the charger so the battery will stay charged.