Are older Oklahoma drivers safe?
Texas makes motorists 79 and older renew license in person
BY JULIE BISBEE
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23
Published: November 28, 2008
Oklahoma’s policy of allowing older drivers to renew their driver’s licenses without additional testing puts people at risk, according to two men who want to see reforms in the state’s system.
Senior driving trainer Randy Jacoby works with Darrel Tiller. File photo by David McDaniel
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KEY FACTS
When to consider limiting driving
While AARP does not support limiting driving for older drivers, it does offer these tips for families and older people to consider when determining their ability to continue driving.• Frequent "near accidents.”
• Frequent dents and scrapes on the car or on fences, mailboxes, garage doors, curbs, etc.
• Trouble judging gaps in traffic at intersections and on highway entrance/exit ramps.
• Other drivers honking at you.
• Getting lost more often.
• Difficulty seeing the sides of the road when looking straight ahead.
• Difficulty turning your head to check over shoulder while backing up or changing lanes.
• Slower response to unexpected situations.
• Trouble moving foot from gas pedal to brake pedal, or confusing the two pedals.
• Increased reliance on mirrors.
What Texas law says
In Texas, Bolka was successful in getting that state’s lawmakers to approve measures that require drivers 79 or older to renew their license in person and undergo vision testing. Another provision of the law, known as Katie’s Law, requires drivers who are 85 years old to renew their driver’s licenses every two years in person. Katie’s Law is named after Bolka’s teenage daughter who was killed in 2007 by a 90-year-old woman who drove through a red light and killed 17-year-old Katie Bolka as she drove to school. "When we started to look at the circumstances of Katie’s death, whether it was isolated or a larger issue, we discovered that it comes down to that driving is a privilege, not a right,” said Bolka, who grew up in Oklahoma City. "States have done all sorts of things to ensure the safety of our youngest drivers, and now we have to look at the other end of the spectrum.” Statistics published by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety shows drivers over 80 are more likely to be involved in fatal crashes. The accident rate for older drivers was higher per 100 million miles of travel than any other group, according to the research group. Drivers older than 85 had the highest rate of fatal crashes, according to data collected between 2001 and 2002. As baby boomers age, it could mean that one in four drivers are considered elderly drivers, Bolka said. "If states refuse to act, they are going to eventually be forced to face the facts,” Bolka said. Staples and Bolka said it has been difficult to get Oklahoma lawmakers interested in the proposal. Staples said he’s contacted several lawmakers, but few have returned calls or e-mail messages.Groups oppose tests
Many groups oppose targeting older drivers with sanctions and additional testing. AARP, an advocacy group for people 50 and older, says ensuring driver safety at all ages should be the priority, said Sean Voskuhl, spokesman for Oklahoma AARP. "AARP would be in favor of in-person renewals based on ability, not age,” Voskuhl said. "It doesn’t matter if you’re 40 or 80. It should apply to all age groups. There are a lot of older drivers that are good drivers. Driving provides them with independence and helps they stay connected in their communities.” AARP offers safety classes for older drivers and tips for families who face the reality of taking the keys from an older relative, Voskuhl said. Bolka said public safety should be paramount. "This is the bloody truth: There are elderly citizens that put their independence above the safety of others, and they don’t have the right to do that,” Bolka said.
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We in our "Golden Years" (what idiot thought that up), can pass a written driver's test as well as we could when we were 16. If there is a way to renew a driver's liscense without physicaly showing up to do it in Oklahoma, I've never heard of it. And yes, we do value our independence but do not place it over anyone's safety.
I agree that every driver over a certain age should have to pass a physical. But what age is that, what do you say we make EVERYONE who wants to renew their liscense bring a statement from a doctor stating that they are physically fit to operate a vehicle. When we get that done, then we can make them bring a statement stating they are mentally fit to do so. That is also a large problem. With a horn and a certin digit on one or both hands, they have been known to cause an accident or two. We should consider what to do about them.
It is a problem folks. Some of the aboved statements were a little tongue in cheek but I think a physical for every renewal is not a bad thing. Renew a younger person for a longer period of time, as the age increases reduce it.
Don, Walters
She refused to listen when I asked her to stop. I did the only thing I could, I called the Dept of Public Safety and told them she had no business driving. They sent her a letter and told her she had to come in to take a test. Boy was she mad but she did quit driving.
We need common sense rules for re-examination; not AARPs hype (which is why I will never join their bloated organization). Anyone over the age of 65 should be required to re-test every 4 years minimum. Come to think of it, anyone under the age of 25 outght to be required to re-test as well.
However, the reason legislators won't look at the issue is because the voting bloc of senior citizens is a powerful. Legislators think they'll be voted out of office if they enact legislation that restrict driving of senior citizens. They're concerned about reelection and not the perceived safety of motorists.
______________
Randy, the people talking on cell phones don't scare me as much as the idiots texting on them while driving. I can't believe how stupid some people are. Wait, yes I can ;)