Left In Lowell

Driving Tests for Elderly

20 Responses to “Driving Tests for Elderly”

1. kami Says:
   February 9th, 2008 at 8:54 am

   I agree this is an important piece of legislation. Right away one of our representatives, Tom Golden, is against it. He’s against it because older Americans vote, period. According to the Lowell Sun “Drivers ages 16 to 20 are responsible for 3.03 fatalities every 100 million miles driven, while motorists over 85 account for 11.47 fatalities over the same distance”. The argument is always made that younger drivers are a bigger threat. This seems to hold true until the driver reaches his/her 80’s. Over half the states in the country have passed laws to address this issue. As usual, MA will be held the last to act due to its liberal, overwhelmingly Democratic legislature. Just as with Jessica’s law, nothing will happen because of special interests.

   I didn’t vote for Gov. Patrick because I consider him too liberal on illegal immigration issues that effect our state (i.e. licenses and in state tuition). However, I have been impressed with his stance on casino gambling, flagmen versus police details and now this piece of legislation. If he can get these three items through the Legislature he has earned my vote. My fear is that because he is a neophyte his position will waiver in the face of unending pressure from special interests and the Legislature’s need to show who is really running the State. We’ll have to wait and see if he has the fortitude and the skills to follow through to the end. I wish him luck, he’s going to need it.

2. Peter Says:
   February 9th, 2008 at 8:57 am

   AMEN TO THAT!!!!

3. Fran McDougall Says:
   February 9th, 2008 at 10:19 am

   Well, I’m against such a rule. It’s just another conspiracy to keep me
   and my car out of Lowell ! I can just see check pooint AK looking for Q-tip heads at the guard houses.

4. waittilnextyr Says:
   February 9th, 2008 at 10:34 am

   It may be better to implement some screening test at every license renewal, and for those that don’t pass that test, subject them to further tests to decide on the renewal.

   There may be another issue to address when the failing elderly get off the street, and that is how they keep their lives going. Maybe any failure should be reviewed, and then connect them into family, friends, or private/public transportation to keep them going with some degree of independence.

5. inside/outside Says:
   February 9th, 2008 at 10:48 am

   I was almost sideswiped by Mr. Magoo the other day while making a left hand turn as he drifted to the right in his own left turn lane. Scared the you-know-what out of me as he slowly drifted back to the left making his turn. Not the first time I’ve seen things like this.

   Driving is a privledge, not an entitlement, and if you no longer have the physcial or mental capacity to do it, you have no right to put members of the public in danger. Everytime I see one of these school zone incidents, it kills me as it is all so preventable.

6. Link Says:
   February 9th, 2008 at 10:54 am

   In addition to the Fatalities-per-100 miles stat, there’s also the reason why kids crash versus the reason why seniors crash: Inexperience vs. Deterioration. Kids can get experience (unless we make the mistake or raising the age or extending the permit requirement).

7. Mr. Lynne Says:
   February 9th, 2008 at 12:08 pm

   Excellent points waittil.

8. joe Says:
   February 9th, 2008 at 2:46 pm

   It’s sad that we’ve spent 50 years turning our country into a place where, except for a few special places, not driving renders one incapable of functioning in society.

   And I sure am glad I live in one of those places where a retired person with no car can still live a live of independence and dignity.

9. Bob F Says:
   February 9th, 2008 at 5:02 pm

   Joe brings up a great point. We do not have the kinds of cities that allow anyone without a car to live a full life. Just another result of public policies that fostered malls and highways at the expense of building a commonsense infrasturcutre to make urban spaces livable. Think how cool Lowell would be if the trolley could get people from the train station to both university campuses, downtown to the various historical and cultural venues, Middlesex CC and out to at least some of the neighborhoods. That would be a wonderful development spark, a tourist attraction of sorts, and a way to draw folks to live in even more buildings downtown. While it makes sense to figure out a way to test older drivers, it also makes sense to couple this with thinking about how we can make cities like Lowell even more elder-friendly than they already are. Lowell is certainly well ahead of the curve with the work it is already doing, but as a nation we do not do well at all with young children in terms of daycare and pre-school and decent healthcare for all kids nor do we do well at the other end of the life line either. There is so much to do and we spend time arguing over the craziest things instead!

10. Peter Says:
    February 9th, 2008 at 7:11 pm

    I think something reasonable would be to test those over 70, say, every 2 years, you know, nothing too ridiculous. Also, there ought to be a cell-phoning and eating burgers section of the driving test. And PLEASE, PLEASE if you’re over 35 (and I’m very close myself so don’t acuse me of age-ism), PLEASE do not even attempt to use the self-check isles at the store!!!!

11. Peter Says:
    February 9th, 2008 at 7:13 pm

    Dear Fran McDougal, who is conspiring to keep you out of Lowell? That is wrong~! You have every right to come here as often as you’d like, whoever you are. welcome!

12. Christopher Says:
    February 9th, 2008 at 7:34 pm

    Both the elderly and teens should be tested and privileged on a case-by-case basis. Whenever we hear about a teen accident the politicians rush to tighten the laws. Yes, I believe that the elderly can and do vote whereas 16-17 year-olds can’t vote has something to do with it. Stereotypes are by definition unfair regardless of the statistical justifications.

13. Peter Says:
    February 9th, 2008 at 8:46 pm

    Well, they’re unfair if they fall outside an s score (measure of correlation) of about .o5. Otherwise, statistically they are fair.

14. Fran McDougall Says:
    February 9th, 2008 at 8:49 pm

    Dear Peter, Please take what I have to say with a grain of salt. I’m only kidding! Bring on the tests!

15. Michael in NH and Pawtucket Says:
    February 9th, 2008 at 8:59 pm

    Requiring eye exams is useful, even for those that aren’t elderly as vision usually starts going downhill in the 30s and 40s. I finally had glasses for near work and distance made in the last three months. My previous pairs were four years old. I was compensating for deteriorating vision by using large computer monitors with larger fonts. If nothing else, a checkup can be a reminder to get vision checked.

    Newton is a nice example of a city where you don’t need a car. There’s the green-line train that runs through several villages and excellent bus service. It uses a village center concept so that you can shop within walking distance. I didn’t learn how to drive until around 19. Boston College is on the eastern part of Newton and I used to commute there using the rapid transit system. There are two train systems that go to the college and a third with a stop about a mile away.

    Of course the malls would be out of reach but perhaps a few ZipCar outlets could fill that gap.

    I have a friend that moved to Manhatten a few years ago and his family sold their cars before moving there. They just use ZipCar when they need transportation outside of walking, taking the bus and using the subway. He runs to work through Central Park. I think that he makes about half-a-million a year so he can afford a car there but he’s a frugal guy.

16. Lyn Says:
    February 10th, 2008 at 7:59 pm

    I’m really not sure what has people up in arms? I understand the elderly people need to get around, but at what risk are we going to allow it?? Why is it a 17 year old has restrictions (can’t drive after 1am, no other minors in the car. etc.), but a 70 year old shouldn’t? The older you get… your sight goes, your reaction time goes, your mind wanders. Should everyone have their lives, their families lives, put at risk because some elderly don’t want to take a YEARLY test to prove they are capabile to drive? The testing shouldn’t bother anyone…IF YOUR ABLE to DRIVE, you still will. It will only effect the people who aren’t able to pass the test! And those people shouldn’t be driving anyway!

17. GOP Footsoldier Says:
    February 11th, 2008 at 10:34 am

    The only thing that sucks is it took ANOTHER accident like this to FINALLY bring about this legislation (hopefully) because lets face it what state rep wants to piss off the elderly? They vote! All the time even!?! It’s a shame this wasn’t made into law 20 years ago. I don’t agree with Deval Patrick very often but he’s hit the nail on the head with this one. Hopefully it sails through both house and senate into law ASAP.

18. K-R-S Says:
    February 11th, 2008 at 12:36 pm

    Link summarized this issue very well with inexperience vs. deterioration.
    In the past several weeks and months, I can think of 1/2 dozen incidents involving fatal and non fatal accidents involving elderly drivers.
    From a family perspective, my Dad’s wife was hit head on by an 86 year old woman in her vehcile, totaled both vehicles and my Dad’s wife is now committed to phyiscal therapy 3 days per week and due to the nature of her injury and her job, she cannot work. The outcome of this injury, will be with her for the rest of her life.
    AARP will fight this tooth and nail. I wonder if other states have successfuly implemented this initiative and if so, how were they able to do it successfully? Does Arizona or Florida have similar legislation?

19. Magnolia Says:
    June 26th, 2008 at 11:01 am

    Well folks - I am kinds up there and I can understand the need for perhaps asking seniors to take driving tests. But I just got my budget for my oil bill and it went up 175 a month, Mu house taxes will probably go up another 100 a month. So I guess the probelm of my driving is solved I may have to give up my car. Oh yeah and no more restaurants, movies or visiting downtown Lowell.

20. K-R-S Says:
    June 26th, 2008 at 9:50 pm

    Sooo, Magnolia….we’re discussing budget up front in the blog and really, driving for elder folk and taxes/heating don’t have a heck of alot to do w/ this discussion (in my mind). Am I missing something?
    I don’t wish to see your commentary lost on current discussions!;0)

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