Editorial: No arbitrary standard for our older drivers

Monday, Aug. 4, 2003 | 8:51 a.m.

Older drivers are coming under scrutiny after two crashes last month at farmers markets in Florida and Southern California. Ten people were killed and dozens more were injured in the crash near Los Ange1es, which happened when a car driven by an 86-year-old man broke through barriers blocking the street. In Florida, a 79-year-old man was behind the wheel and three people were injured.

Nevada requires people who are 70 and over to provide the results of medical checkups when they renew their licenses. Other states require older drivers to renew in person, and take vision tests. Other states require renewal every two years instead of four. But among these states there is no consistency about what is required or at what age the requirements begin. And many states have no renewal requirements at all that are specific for older drivers. We suggest a national standard be developed, because the population is definitely aging. According to the National Institute on Aging, about 10 percent of all drivers are over age 70.

At the same time, we suggest the recent tragedies be placed in perspective. Statistics compiled by AARP show that persons 65 and over represent 14 percent of all licensed drivers, but are involved in only 8 percent of the crashes reported to police. Just as standards are in place for teenage drivers, there should be standards for older drivers. But to arbitrarily begin restricting older drivers based on a couple of high-profile accidents would be unfair.