JUST HOW OLD IS TOO OLD TO SAFELY GET BEHIND THE WHEEL?

Byline: Lisa Mascaro Staff Writer

Edward Kussman turns 94 on Monday, and what he wants for his birthday more than just about anything else is to get his driver's license back.

For the longtime San Fernando Valley community leader, life just hasn't been the same since his license was revoked about a year ago at the urging of his daughter because of several minor fender benders.

He's appealed to officials and even taken driving lessons in his unsuccessful effort to convince the Department of Motor Vehicles to restore the key to his personal freedom.

``My ego is hurt,'' said Kussman, who moved to Pacoima in 1956, serves on the Los Angeles County Commission on Aging, and is a past president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People's Valley chapter.

``The church I built 45 years ago is right around the corner, and I can't get there. At 93, I may be too old. At least let me make that decision myself. I don't want somebody making it for me.''

Ever since an 86-year-old motorist mistakenly plowed through the Santa Monica Farmers Market in July 2003, killing 10 people, debate has focused on senior drivers and whether age should be a determining factor in licensing drivers.

Studies show that drivers 65 and older are involved in about 15 percent fewer fatal crashes than the norm, although their involvement increases when they reach age 85, according to the California Highway Patrol.

While there have been legislative hearings and reports on the issue, there are no easy answers for families faced with the difficult decision of determining whether grandma or grandpa still has the skills to drive.

The state Department of Motor Vehicles puts no age restrictions on license holders, but does require those over 70 to come into the office to renew their license and take a vision exam.

In fact, 58 of California's 22.7 million licensed drivers are 100 years old - or older, according to the DMV.

The public, usually a relative, can ask the DMV to review the license of any driver. The department handled 67,992 such requests during fiscal year 2002-03 and revoked 9,636 licenses.

``It's not something we take lightly,'' said agency spokesman Steve Haskins. ``If we determine that we probably ought to talk to the person, we'll send them a letter telling them they ought to come in.

``The thing we're most concerned about is the people who drive are safe drivers. Safe driving is the criteria, and age really has nothing to do with it.''

Linda Watson, Kussman's daughter, asked the DMV to review his status after he was involved in a series of fender benders, and the department ultimately revoked his license.

Watson said it was a tough decision to tell her dad he needed to stop driving.

``There is the daughter part, and then there is the practical part,'' said Watson, who operates group homes for developmentally disabled children in Southern California.

``The daughter part is having him so upset about not being able to drive, the loss of his perceived independence, the fact that he has to rely on everyone else to take him here and there,'' she said.

The practical part, though, is that she had watched him struggle after the minor crashes and decided that enough was enough.

``He might not agree,'' she said, ``but we really do have his best welfare at heart.''

The issue of elderly drivers is only going to become more prevalent as people live longer and the population ages. From 1990 to 2000, for instance, the number of senior drivers jumped 2 million to 2.5 million statewide, officials said.

To help meet the anticipated demand, transportation planners are designing bigger street signs and officials are creating refresher driving courses and provisional licenses to help give senior drivers as much freedom as possible.

``This is an effort that's really gaining steam because baby boomers are retiring soon. They're going to want to continue driving well into their retirement age,'' said Marie Montgomery, a spokeswoman for the Auto Club of Southern California.

``What a lot of groups are saying and what the Auto Club believes is that age-based regulation is wrong. It's different with every person, so a one-size-fits-all approach does not fit with this issue.''

The state is also considering implementing new driving tests that would offer a more comprehensive assessment of a motorist's abilities, said Kent Milton, the California Highway Patrol's older driver resources specialist and a senior himself.

But more immediate are some of the features offered by automakers catering to the senior market.

Some cars now come with windshield displays that project speedometers so drivers don't have to look down at the dashboard - particularly helpful for seniors wearing bifocals. Other cars have adjustable foot pedals to help smaller seniors reach the brake or gas without having to sit too close to the steering wheel.

``The age of people driving the cars is going up so the auto manufacturers ... they know who their market is,'' said Steve Mazor, principal automotive engineer for the Auto Club. ``There is an increasing focus on building cars that suit every market, including the market for seniors.''

Kussman isn't interested in any of the fancy new gadgets available on newer-model cars. He just wants to get behind the wheel of his trusty Dodge minivan, still parked in his driveway.

``That's what gets me; they just say, Well, you're too old,'' said Kussman, who has asked elected officials to review his situation - and those of his colleagues in similar predicaments.

``I thought I could say something on behalf of the old people who are struggling to get around.''

Lisa Mascaro, [phone]

lisa.mascaro(at)dailynews.com

Senior driver info:

--The state Department of Motor Vehicles offers a range of conditional driver's licenses for senior citizens, allowing them to drive only on neighborhood or arterial streets or during daylight hours. For information, go to www.dmv.ca.gov/about/senior/senior-top.htm.

--The public can confidentially ask the DMV to review the status of any individual. Requests must be made in writing, but the department will try to keep the names of those reporting confidential. Download the form from the DMV Web site; call [phone] to request a form; or visit a DMV driver safety office, such as the one at 6150 Van Nuys Blvd., Suite 205, Van Nuys.

Getting around:

Los Angeles Cityride offers discounted rides for Dial-a-Ride, taxis, lift vans, and buses and trains for seniors 65 and older. Call (818) 808-RIDE.

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Edward Kussman, 93, of Pacoima had his driver's license revoked and feels he's being discriminated against because of his age. He has asked elected officials to review his situation and similar predicaments of other seniors not allowed to drive anymore.

John McCoy/Staff Photographer

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Senior driver info (see text)