Committee recommends elderly driver bill
Associated Press Writer
Published: September 15, 2009
BOSTON—A key legislative committee is recommending a bill that would require drivers 75 and older in Massachusetts to pass cognitive and physical tests.
The proposed crackdown follows a spate of fatal accidents involving elderly drivers in the state.
The bill would let doctors and police officers report to the Registry of Motor Vehicles if they believe a driver is unable to safely operate a car. The operator’s license would be suspended and reviewed by the registrar within thirty days.
Drivers would have the right to appeal.
Older drivers who passed the initial tests would be required to repeat them every time their licenses were renewed.
Critics say the tests should be given to all drivers, not just older drivers.
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Reader Reactions
Raise the age to get a license to 18, Test elderly every year after 75, Pass & ENFORCE the laws prohibiting cell phone use while driving. Then the rest of us try to be a little more careful & courteous.
This is all well and good,but while the pols are at it,why not pass legislation for all drivers.It takes all kinds,and it not just the elderly that need a refresher and additional training,if needed-(new drivers should have defensive driving courses)(e.g.new driver misjudging curve,at high speed is killed).The pedestrian fatalities,elderly related,made up much of the media feeding frenzy this past summer,and the other age groups in such accidents were under-reported.We should demand from our representatives,all encompassing reform,and not this piece meal approach,for which Mass.is known for,we don’t get a very big bang for the buck.The pols are overpaid and under-worked.The citizen’s new battle cry should be no work,no pay,your fired.
It’s a fact Jack that drivers under 24 years have more accidents per capita than any other age group. They should have a “Younger Driver Bill” if they want to decrease fatalities. Look it up in your Funk and Wagnals.
This doesn’t sound like it would work. “Older drivers who passed the initial tests would be required to repeat them every time their licenses were renewed.“ So does this mean every 5 years or are they going to change to every year?
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