EDITORIAL : SAFETY COMES FIRST; BEHIND THE WHEEL, AGE MATTERS.TAKING away the car keys from mom or dad, when their eyesight fails or their reflexes slow or their judgment becomes clouded as they enter their golden years, is becoming a problem with serious ramifications ramifications npl → Auswirkungen pl . That's why a proposed bill by state Sen. Tom Hayden, D-Los Angeles, requiring road tests for drivers after they turn 75 has become such a lightning rod. Numerous state law enforcement agencies A law enforcement agency (LEA) is a term used to describe any agency which enforces the law. This may be a local or state police, federal agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) or the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). support Senate Bill 335, but the American Association of Retired Persons American Association of Retired Persons: see AARP. vehemently opposes it, arguing that it amounts to age discrimination. Hayden's bill would require drivers between 75 and 79 to pass road tests in addition to vision and written tests to get their licenses renewed. At 80, they would have to take the road test every three years. At 90, they would have to take it annually. Hayden said 75 was chosen as the action-triggering age because that is when at-fault and fatal collisions spike upward, according to DMV DMV abbr. Department of Motor Vehicles statistics. The measure is a common-sense solution to an emotionally charged and serious problem. People 75 and older who enjoy good health and can demonstrate they are safe, competent drivers have nothing to fear from this bill, which doesn't automatically yank Yank steamship stoker vainly tries to climb the social ladder, then fails in attempt to avenge himself on society. [Am. Drama: O’Neill The Hairy Ape in Sobel, 339] See : Failure (jargon) yank someone's license away. Still, it is perfectly understandable why seniors would be upset at the thought of losing a driver's license. After all, having a car represents enormous freedom and independence. Not having a car poses the threat of being a burden to friends and family or raises the specter of being helpless and incapable of making appointments, going shopping, running errands. And it's not like there's a top-notch and affordable public transportation system available to provide seniors other ways to get around. But the statistics compiled by the Department of Motor Vehicles In the United States of America, Department of Motor Vehicles (or DMV) is a commonly used name of the government agency of a U.S. state which administers the registration of automobiles (e.g., by issuing license plates), and/or the licensing of drivers (e.g. raise troubling questions on whether the estimated 968,000 drivers older than 75 in California present an increased hazard to themselves and others on the road. Hayden's bill is scheduled to come before the Assembly Transportation Committee on Aug. 16. It should become law. The freedom to drive is not a license to kill, maim maim v. to inflict a serious bodily injury, including mutilation or any harm which limits the victim's ability to function physically. Originally, in English Common Law it meant to cut off or permanently cripple a bodily member like an arm, leg, hand, or foot. or injure at any age. |
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