Geezer Re-testification...

[MatrixmaN]

I personally believe that older people should be re-tested for a few things after a certain age. What about you?

After a certain age, lets say about 65yrs old, old enough to get your social security, people should be retested for one main thing on my mind. Driving automobiles....

You've seen some older people behind the wheel......it's true that teenagers are stereotyped as dangerous and reckless drivers, which is true no doubt, but older people can be reckless and dangerous in there own ways as well. In my few years driving I have seen alot of elderly people acting like they own the road. they seem to have some sort of "I've been alive longer than you, driving longer than you, i can drive however i want" plex going on.

It's kinda like the BMW driver stereotype but i wont go into that. All I know is that after a certain amount of time on this planet your judgment may have become impaired and your defensive driving skills weakened.

I think that people should re-take their road tests, eye tests and defensive driving courses to come back on the road with other people. There are people who can't see 10ft in front of their faces and cant admit to the fact that they need a re-evaluation. I've heard the excuse multiple times that they have been driving for [input alotted time here] and know what they are doing....

Your opinion?

I absolutely, unequivocably agree.

[Knothead]

Heh, MatrixmaN, now we're on the same wavelength.

Unfortunately, it'll never happen. If you've ever seen how the AARP (American Association of Retired Persons, that is,) works, you will suddenly come to realize that any common sense idea/law to govern these "Golden Years" guys always results in the destruction of the political career of the Senator or Congressman who sponsors it.

Politicos are scared to death of these guys.

Sorry.

[Theophylact]

I'm pushing geezerhood pretty hard now, and I can't argue that I shouldn't be recertified every few years.

Yes, it can be a hardship not to be able to drive. My father wouldn't have been able to get from New York City to his place in Columbia County (about 100 miles away) on weekends if he hadn't been able to drive. But he was a menace on the road; we were all lucky that he didn't kill himself or someone else.

My brother and sister-in-law wouldn't let their kids ride in the car if Dad was driving.

[Knothead]

Well, I would wish that people were saner, and less "entitled", Theo. Like you, I don't believe that I would have a "right" to operate a vehicle larger than a bicycle if I had any doubt about my ability to operate it safely, every time.

But not enough people share this view, IMO.

So we get what we got yesterday.

[Mike]

Yes, trying to do something that senior citizens don't want/like is career suicide. There is a reason that politicians usually do stuff for the Elderly first.
I wish teenagers would realize that if more of us went to the polls (Although I don't turn 18 until August) maybe politicians would start giving us a little bit of respect.

I do think that they need to be re-tested. Teenagers may drive recklessly but we do have quicker reaction times. (Although when you're going fast enough that doesn't matter anymore) It's scary some of the senior citizen drivers I see. Just like any other age group they vary.

I have seen older drivers go 10 under for no real reason and hold up traffic. (Wow does that drive everyone nuts) and on the flip-side I have been tail gated by them before. (Another scary thing.. Having a 60+ old lady tail gating me in her Caddy)

We already do it here, in some form. All geezers (sorry, older folks ) have to have an annual physical with their doc and get certified as physically fit to drive, once over 65. No re-test each year, yet, unless they have been deemed unfit to drive and want to prove they can, but most docs are pretty throrough with their fitness to drive certification.

We even have a occupational therapy service for older folks whose licences are suspended who really want o prove their driving capabilities. This is particularly good for those who have had strokes or something who feel they can be safe drivers again after recovering. The service helps identify physical barriers to safe driving, and see if they can be overcome or not. It is very well run, and endorsed by the licensing regulators.

I thing re-testing of ALL drivers, no matter what age, is a good thing. Not annually, but maybe ten-yearly or something until geezerhood hits.

We all pick up bad driving habits that stay uncorrected because we don't get re-tested, IMO.

Cheers
Mick

[ShawnD1]

Actually, a lot people share your view. It's just that young wippersnappers don't vote in large percentages while older people... like 40+ tend to vote in higher percentages. People who are very old like 70 vote in very high numbers, like they look forward to voting.
Trying to pass anything against senior citizens is a political death wish.

[MatrixmaN]

Yeah,

you guys stated a few things I couldn't bring up because I was at work, but I hate to say it like this, but it's a perfectly reasonable comparison.

Elderly people's bodies should be inspected just like our cars are inspected. Cars are inspected for age and damage to safen the road for other drivers. You don't see many people driving around in unmaintained jalopies that wobble across the road do ya? Why should be have to worry about older people's bodies failing as well. I know from playing Mechwarrior for 5 years that the machine is nothing without the man. You become the machine, your the brains behind the braun. I fyou can't physically or mentally handle the challenge of using a 2000+lb vehicle you should not be on the road.

and GOD do I hate people that go 10 under.......it's like WTF, other people have lives and things to do, just because your trying to suck up your golden years breathing in the relaxing carbon monoxide doesn't mean we all do.......heh.

[MD1032]

I think we should test them before stuff like that happens. I bet the roads will be A LOT safer without hags and bags at the wheel.