Safety is an issue as drivers get older

Long before an 86 year-old motorist plowed into a crowded California market and killed 11 people two weeks ago, I have advocated some type of additional testing for older drivers. As I near that age myself, my resolve is as strong today as ever. It is not meant as an affront to older drivers but the facts speak for themselves. Teen drivers and older drivers dominate the fatality statistics on the highways of this nation. I continue to advocate limitations or strict testing for those two age groups.

Much attention has been focused on the plight of older drivers and well it should. I fully recognize that many, many older drivers pose absolutely no problem on the roadways. But in several instances there are those older drivers who should no longer be behind the wheel. Slower reflexes, health issues, diminished sight all combine to put a burden on many older drivers. And it's this population that needs our attention.

Nearly half the states in the nation have some type of additional driving requirements for older drivers. In Missouri, for example, license renewals are every three years instead of six for drivers 70 and older. Many other states have additional requirements ranging from mandatory medical testing to mandatory vision testing.

New Hampshire, in my opinion, has the best answer. That state requires all drivers over 75 to take a road test for renewal. I recognize it's a burden for the drivers and for the state. But it's also an issue of safety and it's worth our discussion.

Even AARP agrees on the need to address this problem. Their director agrees that some method is needed to determine "who can drive safely and who can't. People should be able to drive as long as they can drive safely and effectively." And that's my point exactly.

If you look at statistics, younger drivers pose a much greater problem than older drivers. And I also advocate stringent requirements and limitations on that age group as well. Missouri has even taken steps in that direction. But today's discussion dwells only with the older drivers. It's time we take action.

I would propose that Missouri adopt the New Hampshire requirements and mandate that older drivers actually get behind the wheel with a state testing professional and prove that their driving skills have not diminished. It's not meant as punishment. It's meant to protect their lives and the lives of others.

I repeat the story told to me recently about an older driver in Sikeston who pulled up to a drive-in window of a pharmacy, exited his car, locked the door and went into the business. He never realized that he was parking in a drive-through window. That example is somewhat humorous. The next time however the consequences could be much more devastating. And I, for one, don't want to see that happen.

In the not too distant future - God willing - I will enter that age range. I hope and pray I find nothing wrong with proving my driving skills on a periodic basis for my own protection and the protection of others.