Por (Donna Lee.Doucette RN (age 58)) on October 21, 2005 (Suggest removal)

There should not be any long term licenses for people over 65-they should be required to take an annual eye test and a test of their motor skills and cognitive abilities-There are test out there now to evaluate motor skills and memory-Alll licensed health care personnel should be Mandatory Reporters of people they suspect to have difficulty driving-and the grown children of these people should feel morally responsible for their elderly parents actions and take action to protect their lives and the innocent lives of their victims.

Por (Ronald E. Mott) on October 21, 2005 (Suggest removal)

“I think that one should have a doctor’s checkup each year after there 80th birthday. This would be good for the person as well his or her driving ability. I think that if I get to the point that I am a danger to myself or others no matter my age I should give up driving!” This is something a doctor can tell. Then your driving license and doctor report should be with you at all times and shown to the officer who has stopped you. Say for a trafftic stop.

Por (Chula Chic Chac) on October 21, 2005 (Suggest removal)

I think that the old people’s licenses should be taken away just like Tampa Jai Alai was taken away from the good people of Tampa.  If you cant have guys throwing pelotas with cestas, then how can one justify a 94-year-old man driving.  What kind of dealership would sell a new car to this gentleman?  Talk about the problems of greed.  Someone was looking to make a sale no matter the consequences.

Por (Lee Snell) on October 21, 2005 (Suggest removal)

After age 70.. or perhaps younger, a person should have to appear in person to take a visual exam and, if we could do it without violating someones civil rights, some sort of verbal test about the rules of the road to demonstrate that they don’t have severe dementia. My mother had her license renewed by mail for six year at age seventy as did most of her friends. God help us all had she gotten behind the wheel.

Por (Exa Rief) on October 21, 2005 (Suggest removal)

There is absolutely no reason that a 93-year-old individual (with or without dementia) should have a driver’s license and be driving.  The fact that this person has dementia should be a red flag that he should not be driving.  The fact that these individuals vote is the only reason the laws are such they are still able to obtain driver’s licenses, drive and endanger themselves and everyone else.

Por (Barbara Williams) on October 21, 2005 (Suggest removal)

Wow, this incident really hits home for me!  I just moved my 89 and 90-year-old parents in with me because they can no longer live alone.  My dad (90) is still driving and is in the early stages of dementia.  Unfortunately, my mother encourages him to drive and my husband and I are trying to get him to give it up.  We can take them anywhere they need to go.  I’d really like to see some legislation to change the requirements for driving after age 79. Thanks for listening.

Por (Dennis Mead) on October 21, 2005 (Suggest removal)

A driver’s license is a privilege not a right.  When a person gets behind the wheel we are in control of a lethal weapon.  After age 70 we should have to pass a written test, driving exam, and get a medical clearance every year.  I hold a class “B” license and have to have a medical card renewed every two years.  I think after age 70 it should be at least that controlled if not every year.

Por (Margaret Sinkhorn) on October 21, 2005 (Suggest removal)

This man obviously has dementia/alzheimers.  He should never have had access to a motor vehicle.  Who is responsible for letting him drive?

It is hard to determine at what age someone should have to be cognitively tested.  However, this issue needs to be addressed.

I have ten plus years of dealing with my mother who has dementia.  Prior to my moving her to Florida there was great concern about her and my stepfather driving even in a small community of approximately 10,000 people.  Fortunately, my stepbrother was able to take the car keys away from them before a tragic event occurred.

Por (Bob Swinney) on October 21, 2005 (Suggest removal)

A doctors exam or safety ride, every two years, should be required for all over 70.  But….in my opinion there are far more dangerous drivers out there than the aged… Young (16-25-yr-old) drivers (especially female) are more reckless and unaware of whats going on around them (cell phone misuse)and not observing common rules of the road…More traffic police presence would help in all cases. I have never seen an area as large as the Bay area with such a lack of traffic enforcement.

Por (Heather) on October 21, 2005 (Suggest removal)

I think that in this state especially where people come to retire we should really take a more hands on approch to the age and well being of our older drivers.  So that more things like this don’t have to happen.  Doctors and family members need to really be more aware.

Por (C Tupper) on October 21, 2005 (Suggest removal)

I am 77 and still driving. I don’t care to as most of the younger drivers switch lanes, over speed in thick traffic, ignore speed signs and in general are really not too good behind the wheel. I have been licenced since I was 16 and helped write most of the driving laws of today. Don’t blame it all on the elderly. Take a look at who gets most of the tickets.

Por (S.P.) on October 21, 2005 (Suggest removal)

I do agree that more frequent testing of the elderly drivers is necessary.  But think of the logistics, especially in this area with our large senior population.  These folks are often on fixed incomes, the exams cost money, and our DMV offices are already overcrowded.  Before we clamor for new laws, lets consider how it will take effect.  In reality, it needs to be up to the family and the doctor, and unfortunately, today’s society is too spread out to really stay on top of elderly parents.  It usually takes a tragedy before we recognize what we should have done.

Por (Mike Gulley) on October 21, 2005 (Suggest removal)

We are missing the problem on this incident. This individual certainly shouldn’t have been behind the wheel, but revoking his drivers license wouldn’t have stopped the tragedy unless we had a way to insert the drivers license into the ignition to make it start. I think refresher drivers tests, in person, should be given at all license renewals for ALL ages. A 40-year-old aggressive SUV driver talking on a cell phone is every bit as dangerous as a 93-year-old. Skills, not age, should be the determining factor. The larger question is how do we encourage ALL our fellow drivers to respect their driving privelege and not run over people. My guess is that more traffic deaths are caused by 40-year-olds than 93-year-olds.

Por (Richard Murphy) on October 21, 2005 (Suggest removal)

“Age”, in and of itself is not the issue. Many elderly drivers (though slow) do just fine. Healthcare providers are required to report suspected cases of child abuse to the state, why not require them to report mentally incompetent clients to the DMV who could then require testing.

Por (Kyle Broflovski) on October 21, 2005 (Suggest removal)

How has this discussion gone on for so long without anyone placing blame where it belongs on this issue.  George Bush.  We all know that George Bush due to the Republican voters that he needed to win Florida did not allow his brother Jeb to take away the driving ability of the elderly, and maybe threaten their ability to get to the polls.

Por (Ken Sorah) on October 21, 2005 (Suggest removal)

The issue of extended testing for elderly drivers will have to be addressed. Perhaps future renewal testing should include a certification from the driver’s physician verifying the driver’s physical and mental limitations. Also, the renewal frequency should be shortened after age 65. A person’s physical and mental condition can change significantly in 7 years.

Por (Robert Hewitt) on October 21, 2005 (Suggest removal)

Most elderly people are under the care of some type of physician.  When there are no close family members to monitor them, I feel that their doctors are the only observers of dangerous behavior, and they (the doctors) should be responsible for reporting this to the DMV if the public is endangered.

Por (N.R.) on October 21, 2005 (Suggest removal)

From people who can’t handle a tricycle barreling around in SUVs, to careless kids, to the elderly beginning to suffer from dementia, the roadways are deathzones. From age 65 a mental evaluation every 2 years (till age 72 then every year) should be implemented to hold a license. Plus potential SUV or large truck owner should be required to take a course on how to properly handle these vehicles. We need to stop a growing problem with these kinds of drivers. People should start taking some responsibility for themselves but who am I kidding to think that people now a days will actually step up to the plate and take responsibility for thier actions? So by all means let the law step in and start mandatory mental evaluations starting at age 65.

Por (R Shapiro) on October 21, 2005 (Suggest removal)

When my mother was in her 70’s I knew that she would be lost without a driver’s license but I did manage to take the keys away so she couldn’t drive. She still had a driver’s license until it expired. The older one gets the slower reaction time is. I am over 60 and I firmly believe that if a state has driver’s licenses based upon age, they should be limited in time, certainly not 5-9 years, but after the age of 50 every year. Health changes quickly and I realize that many people would disagree with me on a yearly test, but I think it would be safer for all.

Por (Rob Van Schoick) on October 28, 2005 (Suggest removal)

Hey you finally figured it out! I said 6 years ago when I arrived “Wow,I can’t believe all of the elderly drivers here don’t have yearly testing”. Congratulations! after all these years and numerous accident’s and deaths you finally figured it out!!! It’s just to bad it took a body through a windshield driving down the road to figure it out. Keep up the good work!

Por (Chris Hoelle) on December 22, 2005 (Suggest removal)

People should be able to demonstrate competency in driving regardless of age.

Por (Ian Brooks) on April 06, 2006 (Suggest removal)

Because of elderly drivers I personally am in debt by almost $200,000. On June 28th of 2005 a 74 year old man had a seizure, slammed on the gas, and hit my CUSTOM car doing appox 60mph by running off the road into my car. On Nov 24, my Truck was hit head on by a 73 year old man severely injuring my girlfriend and our two daughters. He didn’t see the big silver truck in front of his Hundai. Being the only one that can work, I am in debt in vehicle bills, med bills, etc. It adds up since my girlfriend will not walk for at least another year. I was 5 classes shy of my degree now I have had to quit school and work a second full time job, take care of my girlfriend, and our kids. Anything for this cause.

Por (Susan Eason) on April 06, 2006 (Suggest removal)

CONTINUED:  I am sorry, that is the bottom line!  I am going to be that age one day and it might be a hassle, but I would rather not have to live with the fact that I hurt someone or even worse, killed them because I was too stubborn or proud to give up the keys and my independance.  Is that more important than another life?
I really want something done about this and I am quite sure that there are many more that do too.  This is a retirement state that is full of elderly people.  A lot of them dont need to be behind the wheel.
If you cant help, please tell me someone I can contact that will.

Por (susaneason) on April 06, 2006 (Suggest removal)

CONTINUED: 
The thing is, it is illegal to drive under the influence because you could hurt or kill someone, it is illegal to drive before you are 14 or 15 without a permit AND an adult in the vehicle because you are too young to make appropriate choices while driving and you could hurt or kill someone.  Why is it not illegal to drive when you are past a certain age and your reflexes are not what they use to be or your health.  That could cause and HAS caused people to be hurt or killed.
Eye exams are not the only test these people need to pass, a reflex test should be done and a document from their Dr. stating that they are medically fit to be behind the wheel.

Por (susaneason) on April 06, 2006 (Suggest removal)

CONTINUED: We have witnessed several other accidents and almost near accidents to.  All from elderly people.  My sister came out of the post office a month ago and an elderly man was sitting in her car.  When she came out, he said he was sorry then walked ACCROSS THE STREET, to the car he belong to. 
I have emailed the senator and have not gotten a response.  I am only one littl person.  What can I do?
So, here is my point, me and those two children could have died that day, the accident was horrible.  Our lives are changed forever in a dramatic way.  I feel like the world is saying “oh well, accidents happen”.