Seniors and Safety on the Road

Re “Putting Senior Drivers to the Test,” Voices, April 16: As another 70-year-old near-geezer, I applaud Ronald Stupak’s courage for highlighting a growing problem that our generation does not like to face. Even though I have no physical disabilities, I avoid driving on freeways at night whenever possible.

I was encouraged to learn, as a recent arrival from New York, that California already has some restrictive requirements for 70-plus seniors renewing their licenses. New York does not, and that is unconscionable: I renewed my license at 69 for eight(!) years, with nothing but an eye test!

However, Stupak does go a bit overboard in his suggested remedies. For the Department of Motor Vehicles to be set up to give physical examinations would be a costly overkill; notarized letters of recommendation are rather demeaning; and license renewal every 18 months would be costly, onerous and mostly unnecessary. Clearly eight years before a senior needs to renew his license is ridiculous, but so is 18 months -- perhaps three or four years might be reasonable.

Laszlo Straka

Alta Loma

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If Stupak is scared to drive and is unsure of his capabilities due to his aging, he should surrender his driver’s license. People who are intimidated by the road and feel insecure behind the wheel should not be driving.

Andrew Tyszkiewicz

Rancho Palos Verdes

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Stupak states, “Government and policymakers must become more demanding and rigorous in issuing driver’s licenses to seniors.” If we are the only drivers, due to our age, made to take a driver’s test, this is discrimination and unlawful.

I agree with taking the test but only if taken by all drivers renewing their licenses. (It is probably too much to hope that the driver examiner is more qualified than the driver he is testing.)

When driving the freeway, I see a steady display of dangerous and stupid driving, but none by a senior driver. This seems to be the norm today (especially with our politicians) -- concentrating on the small picture and blind to the all-too-obvious big picture.

Rex Gowdy

Simi Valley

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I agree about the senior drivers, as I am approaching senior status myself. However, the majority of lunatics and maniacs on the highways are not seniors. We need to find some way to keep bad drivers of all ages off the roads.

Pat Mauer

Pasadena