Quote:
Originally Posted by Seadog1967
Umm 65 huh!!!! I think you should up that some. I'm 62 and still rolling 18 wheels. Yes I agree there should be testing later in life. (driving that is) but I think everyone is different at different ages. I do think though that the younger people seem to think that 65 is the golden mark of people not being capable of doing things anymore. Maybe we shouldn't issue a driving license to anyone under say 21. LOL Same with cell phones. Ya gotta be over 21. umm what else can we re-regulate. LOL
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The problem is, how do you determine that individual threshhold? After an accident or before? The only way to really know is to test everyone.
The problem with getting older is, all those things that start to diminish (sight, hearing, reflexes and even memory) start to fade very slowly. Most people don't realize there's anything wrong until something shocks them back to reality. The question is, will the shock be a close call or an accident that kills someone?
65 is a good threshold since it's an age many retire at and decide to get out and travel or have time to putter around town all day long. It catches the bulk of the issues before they become safety problems. The other poster said every 7 years. I think that's too long. 5 years is better.
For that matter, no one should be able to renew by mail. You should have to get yourself into the DMV and have a new photo taken, along with an eye test. Everyone.
As far as the rest, no, I think 16 is fine to start driving, but I think the limits should last longer (no night driving, etc.) and I think under the age of 18, cell phone usage should be banned. A 16 or 17 year old DOES NOT have the skills to be distracted by such things while being so new at driving. Also, no friends in the car for at least the first year of driving. Sorry, but your teenage friends are a bad influence and a distraction when you all pile in a car together.
Likewise, I think new drivers should be retested yearly for at least the first 3 years.
It's to easy to get and keep your license. Driving is not a right. You have too much responsibility to others to take it for granted - old or young.