Licensing older drivers
Tomorrow's editorials will lead with a piece by Elma on proposed changes in North Carolina to deal with the burgeoning numbers of older drivers.
For us Baby Boomers, who are determined never to grow old, this is sobering stuff. But neither our eyesight nor our reflexes are what they used to be.
Among ideas being considered:
1. Signs that are easier to read, particularly after dark.
2. Upgrades to intersections that are deemed especially challenging for older drivers.
3. Possible legislation that would require older drivers to renew their licenses more often than younger drivers, possibly as frequently as once a year. Current laws require renewals every five years for all drivers.
A recent News & Observer story (registration required) notes that Texas already has such a law.
At first blush, we like these ideas, even with the inconvenience more frequent license renewals would bring. What do you think?
Comments (4)
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As I am now 66 and my husband will soon be 70 I am more than aware that our reflexes as well as our tempers are not what they used to be, so I would most certainly be in favor of at the very least yearly testing. Of course many, and probably the worse, older offenders won't bother to take the test or will drive anyhow once their license is taken away, so enforcement would be a problem. However, if the "book" was thrown at violators who are in even minor accidents and the charges and action taken is heavily advertised it may serve notice to others who should not be driving. Brenda Bowers
Posted on September 5, 2007 12:29 PM
Do you support "possible legislation" or actual legislation? Enough with the wiggle-words.
Posted on September 5, 2007 2:36 PM
Both my husband and I are over 65 but it has been my experience that the most dangerous drivers on the road are the ones that have a cell phone stuck to the side of their head. These people pull out in front of you, swerve into your lane, slow down and speed up randomly as they become more involved in their conversation. They sit at stoplights after the light has changed to green and you have to tap your horn to remind them to check the light. It has been proven over and over again that people who drive and talk on cell phones are involved in or cause many accidents. If we are going to put restrictions on older drivers then we should certainly restrict the use of cell phones.
Posted on September 9, 2007 9:46 AM
As one who just turned 65, I feel I am a better driver now.I am never in a hurry any more and I avoid driving at night. I travel I 40 from Greensboro to Tennesse every month, the big wrecks I see every trip has 18 wheelers involved. Yet you rarely see one stopped by HP.Yet I would have no problem, be checked each year.
Betty you are correct on cell phones. I puchased a new car in Greensboro, 2 months ago, I saw a wreck in front of a dealership,where a lady on the phone pulled out in front of a van, I do not think she ever saw the van, that hit her.I can not understand how we went with out cell phones for a 100 years, now you can not play a round of golf with out hearing the #$%%% ring.
Posted on September 20, 2007 11:44 PM