As we age, our cognitive, mental, reaction and physical faculties all naturally deteriorate. Why is it not law that people over a certain age (e.g. 70 yrs old) should retake their driving test to ensure they are not a danger to themselves or other road users. If Someone has an accident that affects their ability to drive a car, they are required to retake the test. Is it any different for natural, inevitable deterioration?
Ask your DMV guy.
because your age determines what percent of people in your age group vote. for example 70% of 70 year olds vote and so on. so a politician would not vote to make that law, because a 70 year old would not vote for somebody who would take their drivers license away from them
They do have to take it more often.
Because age discrimination is illegal. It’s a fact that people age differently and the DMV cannot pick and choose whom they think should take a driving test, no more than an employer can legally discriminate on age, sex, or religion when hiring.
Certain states do require a re-test at different ages. I’d be in favor of limiting all drivers to 75 years of age or less. Either that or make the driving test MUCH more difficult.
Safety should never take a back set to convenience.
Don’t know, but it SHOULD be required, because there are a lot of us (geezers) who have a real good friend called Al Heimer who plays havoc with our brain.
Fortunately, even though I’m pretty close to that Magic number, Al hasn’t caught up with me yet…..uh.
what was I talking about????? OH, yeah, I’M STILL mentally alert……..
In the interest of safety, why is it not law that people under 21 should retake a driving test? Unmarried teenage males are the most likely to speed, to tailgate, and drive WAY over their capabilities.
Smarten up, 70 is not old! And when you approach that age, you will begine to realize it. I am 62, I would take a driving test alongside a young driver any day of the week, and, if it included performance skills, and winter driving, drive the pants off him. There is a lot to be said for experience. Learn from it, don’t denigrate it.
I have never had a senior citizen tailgate me in fog, driving rain, in a blizzard, or on an icy highway, but I have had younger drivers do it in every one of those conditions. Seniors know better.
I have never had a senior citizen floor it and charge at me upset because I dared to enter the traffic flow, but I have had it happen with a younger driver. Seniors know better.
I have never been hit by a senior driver running a red light because he/she was in a hurry, but I was hit by a younger driver running a red light. Seniors know better.
I have never had to try to safely slow down and squeeze onto a shoulder because a senior cut me off in heavy highway traffic, trying to keep from being killed, at an average speed of close to 80 mph, because he was trying to go 100 mph, however, a younger driver did, indeed, put me in that dangerous situation, and that was WHILE I WAS PASSING a motor home no less. Seniors know better.
To suggest people are deteriorating at 70 is to ignore the fact that today’s 70 year olds average health and physical ability approximately the same as 55 year olds did a quarter century ago.
Check the professional drivers, you will find superior safety records in the 60 to 75 year age group still driving highway transport.
In the interest of safety, why is it not law that people of all ages retake a driving test every two years…….
Why not make everyone retest every 4 years or so? That would help people remember how to drive when it is time to renew their license.
Because age does NOT let you know if someone that has common sense or not. I have put a lot of miles on highways and let me tell you i have seen all ages of people that drive like there is no tomorrow. I know people in their teens that should, in your words" retake their driving test to ensure they are not a danger to themselves or other road users."