Mary Lynn in Indianapolis sent me this link to a video story about 89-year-old Rachel Veitch and her 1967 Mercury Comet Caliente.
She's the original owner, and she's put all 540,00o miles on the car's original engine.
While I don't doubt that Ms Veitch is a safe and skillful driver, I was chilled by her description of her last license renewal -- at age 85. The state renewed her license for five more years, without any kind of test. The clerk told her "the elderly" objected to testing, claiming discrimination. That's scary.
I remember a few years back, driving along in some South Carolina city, when an octogenarian woman driving in the adjacent lane sort of drifted into mine, very gently bonked against the side of my car, drifted back into her lane and drove on. She apparently was unaware we'd "contacted" each other. I had son Jonathan and a couple of his Boys' State friends in the car, so we didn't go chasing...
I'm ambivalent about "the elderly" behind the wheel. I'm still a few years away from Rachel Veitch's age, and I'm convinced that I'm as good a driver as I ever was. Never mind that my neck doesn't twist quite as easily as it did 20 years ago, or that I can't always hear the turn signal clicking. I'm doing just fine, thank you. And I should be able to drive as long as I'm able.
Rachel Veitch is right about one thing, for sure. "Able" should include "safe." One way to help ensure safety is to require regular testing at renewal for all -- with shorter renewal and testing frequencies for higher-risk drivers.
Remind me in 25 years that I said that.
(I'm treading wisely here, considering you have to give me a letter grade to award me in the future.)
ReplyDeleteI agree that renewal should include a basic "benchmark" for driving capabilities. However, I don't think it should be discriminated for just elderly. I believe everyone needs some sort of renewal benchmark.
Our society really can't do anything about texting, or talking while driving. Some states have laws against them. But regardless of the law people are going to drive recklessly, put on make up, and such.
My boss at work is --(old) years old, and I believe she is a way better driver than some young people. So age is really on an "ability" basis as you've said.
I certainly agree that testing should be universal. I suggest, however, that physical deterioration is a fact of life. My mother was nearly blind before she died, and she still had a valid license that she could have renewed by mail.
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