Yesterday, as first reported by TLS, a 93-year-old driver plowed through a parking lot and straight into a bank lobby after losing control of his vehicle.
Naturally, the story triggered the “elderly driver conversation,” and hundreds took to the comments section of TLS Facebook – where dozens of people called for the state to enforce a mandatory retesting for the elderly.
Many argued though, that the state has no right to take away someone’s privilege just because of age.
(You can read the hundreds of comments on TLS Facebook.)
According to the GHSA, “More and more Americans are outliving their ability to drive safely. As a result of impairments in three functions that are important for driving – vision, cognition and motor function – older drivers have a higher crash risk than middle aged adults.
To address this issue, many state driver licensing laws have specific provisions for older drivers.
37 States and the District of Columbia have special provisions for mature drivers. These include: accelerated renewal frequency; restriction of online or mailed renewals; vision test; road test; or reduced or waived renewal fees.”
By law, doctors are required to notify the MVC about a patient’s health issues that could affect the person’s ability to drive. Based on those recommendations, the MVC – on a case-by-case basis, could require a retest.
Should New Jersey join other states in requiring a mandatory retesting across the board for all elderly drivers? If yes, at what age do you recommend retesting?
Absolutely.
Even better would be if everyone was retested every second time they renewed their license or someone like that.
Even even better is providing other means of mobility. My heart goes out to the people who should not be operating heavy machinery but do so anyway because that’s their only choice.
I gave up driving a year ago when my vision wasn’t gonna get any better. I’m lucky, I have willing drivers and free public transport,
Yes re-test at 70, then every 3 years. It will save lives. If I cant pass the test. I shouldn’t be driving.
Yes! We definitely need better public transportation. Not just up & down Route 9.
i think that we should be retested when we get old enough to collect SS and every few years after that. why should our children have to be the ‘meanies’ and take the keys away? many fights in families start like that. if an anonymous tester makes the decision, it will avoid many problems
NO!!
Bad and/or careless driving and accidents that occur as a result have nothing to do with age. Just take one look at all the accidents that happen around town as proof of my opinion.
What about the twenty thirty forty year olds they are not ninth three years old what’s their excuse for driving the way they do
How about mandatory retesting (written and driving) for ANYONE with X points or moving violations, Y at-fault accidents or one at-fault accident where there were injuries or major property loss. Let’s not forget about DUI. Better yet, the DUI retest must be taken with the same blood alcohol as when the ticket was issued.
I’m 73, one ticket (1972 for 27 in a 25 and I WAS doing 27), two at-fault fender-benders (1974 and 1983), and zero injuries.
Absolutely. I mean if they can impose a plastic bag ban which is ridiculous then imposing a retesting at a certain age let’s say 80, shouldn’t be a big deal time to implement things that make sesnse for once
I don’t believe age should be the only factor in retesting. If you have ever driven through Lakewood you would know it is the capital of horrible drivers.
Yes, men should be retested every time they renew their license after they turn 70, women should be retested everytime they renew their license.
That’s discrimination. Feel bad if you have a wife. It seems that you don’t respect woman.
Why 70 for men? Given the almost daily accident rate, All licensed driver’s should be retested, regardless of age.
The same thing could of happened to someone young!!!!!
Yes, at age 70 or 75 they should be retested.
Ever notice that when driving on the highway that the car driving to slowly is so often driven by an older driver.
By the time a person is 70, reaction time slows down and the ability to drive faster which incorporates reactive ability gets lost. Time and again you’ll read about how the older driver hit the gas instead of the brake. ( I was in such a car driven by an over 70 that did just that.)
At 70, all drivers need to be retested. If they fail, their license should be replaced with an identity card which is the one thing the still will need.
I think that people who have health issues and take medication should not be allowed to drive! and if anyone is using a cellphone your call can wait, and have anything hanging on your mirror take it off some one went in a do not enter and crashed in a cc’d building and did the same thing and crashed in a beauty salon
I always wanted a new written test and driving test every ten years when the driver’s license comes up for renewal. No difference what age you are.