<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face=" Arial, Verdana, Helvetica">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by millie:
I was pulled over last yr. for crossing the 'fog line'- I saw the police officer behind me, thought he was trying to pass and went over a little to allow him to pass, since the passing lane was under construction. He just gave me a warning.
Then I received a letter saying I had to take a driver's test to keep my license. I did, and passed. Now it's nine mos. later and I have to take another test! I haven't been pulled over again. I've never had a ticket in my life, no accidents. NOt even a parking ticket! Is this harassment? Age discrimination? A lot of senior's are going through this, in Michigan- Delta County. Thank you
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My response:
Renewal procedures for older drivers include accelerated renewal cycles that provide for shorter renewal intervals for drivers older than a specified age, typically 65 or 70; a requirement that they renew their licenses in person rather than electronically or by mail where remote renewal is permitted; and testing that is not routinely required of younger drivers (vision and road tests, for example). These special renewal procedures for older drivers apply in addition to the license renewal procedures that exist in all states for dealing with licensed drivers of any age who no longer meet the standards for licensure because of physical or mental infirmities.
If a person's continued fitness to drive is in doubt, because of the person's appearance or demeanor at renewal or because of a history of crashes or violations, reports by physicians, police, and others, state licensing agencies may require renewal applicants to undergo physical or mental examinations or retake the standard licensing tests (vision, written, and road). States typically have medical review boards composed of health care professionals who advise on licensing standards and on individual cases in which a person's ability to drive safely is in doubt.
After reviewing a person's fitness to drive, the licensing agency may allow the person to retain the license, refuse to renew the license, or suspend, revoke, or restrict the license. Typical restrictions prohibit nighttime driving, require the vehicle to have additional mirrors, or restrict driving to specified places or a limited radius from the driver's home. Where the renewal cycle is not shorter for older drivers, licensing agencies have the authority to shorten the renewal cycle for individual license holders if their condition warrants.
Is it time to take the keys away?
PHASE ONE
Here are some steps to take as you evaluate whether it's time to remove the driving privileges for the senior in your life.
1.) Contact the AARP to see if there are any local 55 Alive programs. If so, enroll the person in these inexpensive classes.
2.) If there are no local AARP classes, check with local community agencies for the aging as well as private driving schools to see what might be available.
3.) Review the person's medical condition with their healthcare provider. This includes discussions of the medications they are currently taking.
4.) Be sure that the person has a current eyeglass prescription. Eye exams should be done on a regular basis as well as hearing screening.
5.) Go on several drives with the driver. Watch how they react to complex traffic conditions. Do they drive too slow? (Rarely will they drive too fast.) Are they missing yield or stop signs? Do they have problems turning to see over their left shoulder? Do they use turn signals?
6.) Check out the routes they normally drive. Are there alternative routes that might be easier for them to navigate?
PHASE TWO
If you have determined that there are valid reasons to no longer let this person drive, here are some other things to consider before taking the final step.
1.) Make a list of all the places they drive to on a regular basis: grocery store, doctor, church, pharmacy, clubs, hairdresser/barber etc. Investigate the available alternatives for transportation.
2.) Many communities are starting to address these issues with specialized senior services. This can be as comprehensive as special senior buses or as informal as lists of volunteer drivers. Check with your local community agencies to see what might be available in your area.
3.) If feasible, look into the possibility of moving the loved one to a retirement community or an assisted-living situation where there is little or no need to drive. Some of these retirement centers provide transportation to common destinations.
PHASE THREE
Once you have determined that there is no other choice, you need to be aware that your loved one may resist - mightily resist. By removing their driving privilege you are taking away their independence and sense of freedom. This is not only threatening, it can be humiliating and even considered insulting. You will need to have your arguments well in hand. You will need to be prepared to explain why there is no other choice as well as how their transportation needs will be handled.
You need to present your case firmly but lovingly. After all, you are protecting them so they will stay alive for a long, long time!
He's eighty-three years old, stiff with arthritis, slightly hard of hearing and behind the wheel of a two ton weapon. He may be your neighbor, your father or grandfather, your spouse or possibly even you. He's been driving for over sixty of those years and he has a good driving record - till now. He just became a statistic.
"Relatively few deaths of elderly people - 1 percent or fewer - involve motor vehicles. But elderly people have higher rates of fatal crashes per mile driven than any other group except young drivers." Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Highway Loss Data Institute
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, about half of the fatal crashes involving drivers 80 years and older occur at intersections. Further, a survey done by the University of Utah, Salt Lake City, found that left hand turns cause the most problems. In fact, older drivers were found to be more than twice as likely as younger drivers to have accidents when making left-hand turns. "I think it's the ability to judge how fast traffic is moving," said one Lawrence J. Cook, of the researchers.
What's Being Done?
In the last couple of years several states have attempted to pass new legislation regulating testing and licensing of older drivers. Currently several states require elderly drivers to renew their licenses more frequently than other drivers, but very few require road tests or medical exams. Due to the activism of the AARP, these new measures have failed - so far.
People age 75 and older have more motor vehicle deaths per 100,000 people than other groups except people younger than 25. The motor vehicle death rate per 100,000 people begins to rise among males at age 70. By age 80 and older, the rate among men is more than twice as high as it is at age 40-74. Per licensed driver, fatal crash rates rise sharply at age 70 and older. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Highway Loss Data Institute
What Does This Mean to You?
Is there an elderly driver in your life? If so you need to evaluate their ability to drive safely. This is never an easy process to start. Losing the ability to drive a car takes away the all important sense of freedom and independence that helps keep seniors active and healthy.
In fact, studies have shown that when seniors maintain an active social life involving functions like club meetings, they stay healthier longer and suffer less depression. Taking away what they may consider their "right to drive" can drive them into a depression that can impact their long term health.
Determining the right time to take away the car keys is not easy. In fact physicians have a difficult time making this determination.
Good Luck.
IAAL
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