Posted on 06/08/2009 5:49:31 AM PDT by GQuagmire
Pressure is building on state lawmakers to monitor elderly drivers more closely, renewing the heated, politically sensitive debate over whether seniors should have to prove their continued fitness to drive. Massachusetts, like many states, does not have testing for older drivers, other than universally administered eye tests. Advocates for the elderly have sharply opposed age-based oversight as discriminatory, and noted that the state prohibits age discrimination in licensing.
(Excerpt) Read more at boston.com ...
Mass. wants to check your eyes and mental faculties once every 5 years after age 85? Why bother?
Well while you’re at it, have a DUI test as well.
Yes, it’s a good idea to test these people, but it’s not just the elderly that are inept.
What about all these cell phone yakkers? If they insist on driving with one hand while they yack, why aren’t THEY subjected to a competency test, to see whether they can actually hold a phone and drive at the same time?
My mom was the same way, and I felt as you did. Even if she didn’t hurt herself, what about others that may be in her way?
I see your points, all - and I realize it’s easier to say “something has to be done” than to actually implement it, and I do realize not all older drivers present the same liabilities as others do.
I guess I should know better than to think these folks have families who are willing to make sure they’re cared for (docs, church, social visits, etc) A lot of towns here in western MA have senior programs that will give people rides, but the more rural folks would be stuck, for sure.
I guess my perspective comes from that of the elderly drivers who present a more immediate danger: a couple accidents my Dad had, he just told the cops “The sun was in his eyes” and there was no further follow-up..
No accidents and not tickets in more than 70 years of driving.
In fact, as I recall a story she told me she did have one accident and that was with the horse and buggy her father entrusted her with one day.
She tried to take the horse and buggy through to narrow an alley way, as a short cut, and scraped up the side of the buggy and knocked off the cap of the axle.
She remembers her dad yelling at her for the first time which made an impression on her.
She was 13 or 14 then, and that was 80+ years ago. When she got her first car she always remembered that day and drove with the utmost of care.
It is weird to have someone tell you an experience they had 80 years ago. Somehow in my very much younger years and mind it doesn't make sense that I am hearing from someone who tells me stories from so long ago.
Great story.
My grandfather used to take his bread wagon into the city every day(20 miles) and sell a loaf of bread for 4 or 5 cents.
That was a mighty strong horse!
It is usually preceded by a goofy saying “My hell...” blah, blah, blah.
Sometimes it is actually funny and one of the best stories I have heard about the cost of things is her bewilderment of why people have 30 year mortgages.
Apparently, when she and her husband bought the house she live in, some 66 years ago, they had took out a loan for 5 years and paid it off in 2!.
Couldn't believe but she showed me the papers and the deed. These people were very disciplined.
The other thing that caught my eye was her property tax. Now mind you we are in California and the she lives in would go for $900,000 even in today's market.
Her yearly property tax is $600 and some change. Incredible!
As for me and my husband, we have slowed down 5 or 10 mph to compensate for slower reflexes; we have both had cataract surgery recently and see very well; we would not mind taking a driving test. It is true most oldies do not want to give up driving because it confines them and puts them at someone else's mercy. Just as in most things, there is no "one size fits all" to the driving problem.
Just wait awhile--I'm sure "O" will find a solution/NOT.
vaudine
Well, Vaudine, my mother will turn 89 in two weeks. She still drives, but not at night.
She also lives in MA and is worried about this story.
We’ll just have to wait and see how it all turns out for the older folks in MA. They sure are reliable voters.
Thanks for your post!
I assume you're being facetious, since drunk people are only impaired when they've recently been drinking.
When I moved to NY two years ago, I fully expected to be tested, at least the so called 'written' test that is really multiple guess. They just handed me a NY license when I turned over the WA one and the proper fees. The behavior of my fellow drivers proves that bad habits are not ever checked.
As for the cell phone test, I suggested allowing people who are able to do a thing that is simple for some and challenging for others (like riding a motorcycle, for example) be able to take a test to prove their ability, rather than just have their freedom completely shut down.
My father doesn't even bother to remember stuff anymore, that's what he's got Mom for!
There was a deadly car crash on the interstate yesterday. An 89 y/o woman was killed. Her 47 y/o daughter was driving. Maybe if Mom was driving. . .
http://newzjunky.com/police/coplog090608jcso3.htm
Just goes to show that you never can tell.
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