Seniors Should Be Tested For Licenses

After seeing the damage caused by my elderly neighbor, my belief that all seniors should submit to written, vision and on road testing prior to renewing driving privileges is even stronger.

My mother is a prime example of someone who is able to renew her drivers license through the mail though she has no business driving a vehicle (and doesn't for not only her own safety but the safety of others).

Before moving to the Bay Area my mother had totaled three vehicles in the course of two years. Maybe that's why she left the suburbs for the city trading driving privileges for abundant public transportation and taxi cabs.

At any rate I am grateful that she uses her common sense and never actually drives even though she misses the independence and freedom of having her own car.

Another case in point is the sweet elderly gentleman next door who backed his RV onto (yes I did mean onto) a parked vehicle also taking out a light pole and his neighbors main electrical line today.

True, this type of incident could have happened to anyone...younger with quicker reflexes; but the fact that the driver of the RV is in his 70's only fortifies my resolve.

Senior drivers can be a danger not only to themselves but to others. Thank goodness this particular incident resulted in no personal injuries but it could have had someone been walking down the sidewalk or in the vehicle that is now missing half of it's front engine.

Lastly let me just make clear, I love seniors. They are the keepers of our history, have vast life experiences, 20/20 hindsight and an abundance of practical unbiased advise for all varieties of life issues.

However, I believe they should not be allowed to renew licenses unquestioned for the safety of themselves and others using the road.