As a traffic safety expert of many years, I have dealt with this issue of people who should not be driving at ANY age!!! But the issue of impaired driving by the elderly is a HUGE American problem, bigger than anyone realizes since people of advanced age are the #2 perpetrators of traffic accidents (#1 being teens).

Driving is NOT a right in any country in the world, and although we have come to rely on our vehicles as if it were and drive as if we own the road, the simple fact is that millions of Americans use public transportation because they do not have a car. In places like L.A. (where I live & work), public transportation is NOT great and will in fact add hours to your day.  That is lamentable and solvable by the public....if they would just VOTE (which most don't). But regardless of the inconvenience, NO ONE has the right to endanger others for their own convenience... NO ONE!!!!!

Driving=freedom in this society. And no one wants to give up their freedom. That is a selfish fact, and the elderly driver who does not belong on the road is NOT thinking about your child in your car. As a matter of fact, most of YOU are not thinking about anyone else other than yourselves....that's why you run red lights....speed, make illegal U-turns to grab parking spaces and blow stop signs.

Should the government provide taxi or transportation for people who cannot drive any longer......in a world where we care about each other....yes. But America is one of the few civilized nations of the world that does NOT revere it's elderly, and makes them disposable.

Although I am loathe to do this.....to quote Michael Jackson,"If you want to make the world a better place, take a look at YOURSELF and make the change."
 

One organization has made a difference in the area of reporting and re-testing drivers impaired by their age......it is called
CONCERNED AMERICANS FOR RESPONSIBLE DRIVING

In 1993, 21 year old JASON MARC SUROFF was killed in a car crash that was instigated by a 91 year old senile driver who had no auto insurance for the 6 previous years. Jason was going to be an environmental attorney. His death caused his family, Sheldon & Karen Suroff and his sister Jill, to found C.A.R.D. and on 1/1/99, Missouri House Bill 1536 becomes law.  This new law will allow a person to confidentially report an impaired driver as long as they are a close family member, doctor, or law enforcement official.  Anyone can do this now, but not any confidentially.  The misuse of a report will be a Class A Misdemeanor.  Most states do NOT routinely re-test aging drivers. Laws like this are a GREAT idea and I applaud and support The Suroff's in all their efforts.  They are working to not only get older drivers who should not be driving off the road, but impaired driving in general.

Congratulations to The Suroff's and to Missouri Governor Mel Carnahan for siging the bill carried by House member Scott Lakin and Senator Betty Sims.

If you would like to know more about how YOU can support C.A.R.D., and the memory of Jason, they are at:

CARD
12416 BENTLEY VIEW CT.
ST. LOUIS, MO 63141
1-800-263-6391

VISIT THE PAGE ALL ABOUT THE BILL SITTING ON THE CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR'S DESK TO MAKE NEW LAWS CONCERNING THE ELDERLY.