News-Record.com

I will be glad to, when this state quits handing out premits to illegals, and requires them to KEEP insurance on there cars.

Older drivers, myself included, are easily confused by changing landmarks and unclear street signs, coupled with the seeming need for speed on today's highways and streets. Driver's tests won't cover that. The larger need is better public transportation outside city limits, park and ride lots and fewer SUVs pushing speed limits.

If we start imposing driving tests just for older drivers, we're flirting with age discrimination. It's true that older drivers may not have the same reflexes as younger drivers but older drivers tend to be safer because they're driving slower. However, driving slower in the wrong areas, such as highway fast lanes, can pose a problem.
I think that if there's a need for more frequent driving tests, it should be based on driving records. If a driver, regardless of age, has a lot of accidents, perhaps this driver should be targeted for more frequent driving tests. This would make the testing based on performance rather than some discriminatory factor such as age.

I totally agree with Sam Lea on the subject of discrimination for older drivers. I feel very strongly that their record should be taken into consideration. My husband had an aunt who should have been stopped from driving probably at least 15 years before we finally persuaded her to let some one else do the driving, her fender benders were getting too numerous, we thanked the good Lord every time she drove that no one ever got hurt. On the other hand I have had no speeding problems and no accidents, therefore I would be extreemly upset to be told the only way I could renew my license would be to take a mandatory test. Mr. Lea is right, records should certainly be a deciding factor.

I totally agree with Sam Lea on the subject of discrimination for older drivers. I feel very strongly that their record should be taken into consideration. My husband had an aunt who should have been stopped from driving probably at least 15 years before we finally persuaded her to let some one else do the driving, her fender benders were getting too numerous, we thanked the good Lord every time she drove that no one ever got hurt. On the other hand I have had no speeding problems and no accidents, therefore I would be extreemly upset to be told the only way I could renew my license would be to take a mandatory test. Mr. Lea is right, records should certainly be a deciding factor.

I agree, and I'd say 70 for men, 40 for women. 30 for women driving SUVs. Test every year for women driving SUVs with a cell phone on their ear. Just my opinion, which I hope to see reflected in the editorial.

brian, you are trying to lead us into trouble. Thanks for the humor. Right?

Older drivers vary tremendously in their driving safety habits (and records), reaction time, overall health and vitality, and attitudes. For this reason, establishing a requirement for driving tests based solely on age isn't the correct approach. However, increased watchfulness and possibly even more frequent testing for risk factors that are sometimes age-related - such as vision and hearing - is a different matter.

AARP takes a proactive approach to helping older drivers stay safe by providing a valuable, two-day Driver Safety Program course. The course heightens awareness of risk factors associated with driving, such as decreased reaction times, refreshes driving skills and deals with subjects that may bring confusion to older drivers, such as "road rage," higher overall speeds and heavier traffic. For more information, visit http://www.aarp.org/families/driver_safety/

Annual tests seem needlessly burdensome. Instead of annual tests, how about a simple requirement that drivers 65 and older be required to complete a driving test (along with the vision and road sign tests) at the times when they must renew their licenses, which are currently every 5 years?

I concur with Bob Garner that driving for older adults should be based on capability not age.
I recommend folks to take the AARP Driver Safety classes to refresh their skills and education about safe driving.The AARP Driver Safety classes are the only approved driver safety class approved through the NC Division of Motor Vehicles.

I concur with Bob Garner that driving for older adults should be based on capability not age.
I recommend folks to take the AARP Driver Safety classes to refresh their skills and education about safe driving.The AARP Driver Safety classes are the only approved driver safety class approved through the NC Division of Motor Vehicles.

Suzanne:

You state "that driving for older adults should be based on capability not age." How exactly should the state determine "capability" without a test?

The class that you and Bob are describing sounds a lot more onerous than a brief driving test. However, it also sounds like a good idea in addition to a driving test.