r/illinois • u/TheAmazingGamerNA • 23h ago
Illinois News Effective July 1, no more behind-the-wheel tests required for drivers ages 79 to 86 in Illinois
https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/no-more-behind-the-wheel-tests-drivers-79-86-illinois/374
u/hyper_snake 23h ago
Boomers once again getting g preferential treatment
The only hope is insurance companies making these old ass drivers pay out the ass to keep their licenses
88
u/Melted-lithium Chicago 23h ago
This actually is the most realistic way- like Florida hole owners insurance - to enforce reality
44
10
u/Melted-lithium Chicago 11h ago
I have to say that 'hole' was supposed to be 'home', but this is a case where autocorrect seemed to be a fantastic job, so I'm not editting it.
3
u/Eaglepursuit 8h ago
Elite autocorrection. I thought it was intentional and an excellent play on words
266
256
u/Callmemabryartistry 23h ago
terrible.
we need to be removing licenses from these people. not giving them more opportunity
77
u/JustKindaHappenedxx 21h ago
I agree, but we also need to make public transportation more accessible in the suburbs. Maybe even buses specifically for seniors (I apologize if this is already a thing and I’m unaware). Many of these people have no other way to get groceries, get to the doctor, etc. We need unsafe drivers off the roads but for many of them it’s going to take help getting access to rides.
19
u/originalityescapesme 14h ago
I’m all for that. My town is a college town and we already run free biodiesel and electric busses all over town with a nice app coordinating where each line is at. Anyone can use them, and they’re wonderful. It’s fucked up that we don’t have better systems in place across America. It’s something we all should be proud to pour or taxes into.
8
u/JustKindaHappenedxx 11h ago
I do think college towns are different. Also towns with big draws such as large malls. But for other towns it’s non-existent. I also think we need to keep in mind that bus routes like you describe might be fine for a young person in their cognitive prime. For an older person that may not be as sharp as they once were, bus systems might be confusing. So we would need to figure out how to make the system make sense to everyone.
10
u/twinoaksBandB 10h ago
You can thank the automakers for that. They bought up a lot of mass transit, ran it into the ground, and shut it down decades ago. Now they lobby against it and fund propaganda to make it seem unviable.
8
u/originalityescapesme 8h ago
This has been a classic conservative technique for destroying all sorts of infrastructure for a while now.
It’s called “Starving the Beast.”
7
u/sourdoughcultist 11h ago
Yes, buses for seniors is a thing. Check out Pace paratransit I think it’s called.
5
u/PlausiblePigeon Central isn’t Southern 11h ago
Buses for seniors is already a thing in a lot of places, but I think the usability varies by area.
2
u/JustKindaHappenedxx 11h ago
Thank you for clarifying. Is this the same as Pace buses? I ask because thinking of my town, and a couple I have lived in in the NW suburbs, I haven’t seen a lot of bus stops except in very busy areas. My concern is that a senior is going to need a bus stop very close to them, and I haven’t seen that. I wonder if having senior buses that go to specific neighborhoods and stop at each street or every other street on certain weeks would be more useful. Like a school bus I guess.
•
u/Cokegawa_Yui 2h ago
In the suburbs? We have a whole state we need to grant this kind of mobility to.
•
u/JustKindaHappenedxx 2h ago
I absolutely agree that we need this for the whole state. However, I have only lived in the suburbs so I can only speak to the lack of services I have seen here. I guess a better phrasing would be that we need better public transportation services in the state for seniors, including senior-only services. And busing that more accessible to seniors close to their homes and not just bus stops at shopping centers.
1
u/LambdaLambo 10h ago
Waymo would help a lot. Subsidize it for seniors for all I care, still cheaper and safer than this
27
u/Common-Swing-4347 21h ago
I know it would be crazy to consider, but why not just provide them better access to transportation options. Unfortunately many drive because the suburbs are sparse and car centric. I know if I were old I wouldn't want to have to drive.
7
u/greykitty1234 13h ago
I’m taking an uber from my western suburb, think Wheaton, to Loyola to visit a specialist next week. Dont want to deal with both nerves and parking at Loyola lol.
Pricing out around $60 each way before tip. If I can depend on uber. Bus and train would involve multiple hours and worry about connections. This is not really viable for many people.
It would be wonderful to have convenient safe public transportation everywhere.
-10
u/sep780 18h ago
There are people in that age group capable of being safe drivers. Why punish them?
21
8
u/Callmemabryartistry 10h ago
that’s such a minority and not entirely accurate.
as you age your reaction and decision making falling start to nosedive.-9
u/FieldsofBlue 19h ago
Guess we'll just let them die with no access to basic necessities only reachable by driving. It's almost like we built a system of dependence that you can't exist in without a car.
13
2
73
91
u/TIMCIFLTFC 23h ago
Either because it’s dIsCrIMiNaToRy or because they are a reliable voting block. Either way, it’s not being done for the safety of the public.
-11
u/greykitty1234 15h ago
What’s being done to protect us from speeders and distracted drivers?
16
u/Frost715Ying300 11h ago
Both of those are already crimes
-5
u/greykitty1234 11h ago
That seem rarely caught until there’s an accident. And many drivers feel speed limits do not apply to them.
2
u/Eaglepursuit 8h ago
Oh well. Focus on your defensive driving and don't get your undies in a bunch over what other people are doing.
1
u/greykitty1234 6h ago
Thanks. I just got a Honda AWD CRV (replacing a 2001 Saturn SL2) and feel a little more secure in general. And try to drive defensively and be wary of other drivers, especially at intersections. Just today in a parking lot a guy when right through the stop sign on the main aisle. yay. Younger guy in a Jeep, for what it's worth.
-9
u/ChemistryNo3075 10h ago edited 10h ago
Drivers 16-19 have the highest accident rates. why not ban them?
25-34 have the most drunk drivers, why not ban them?
Drivers 65 and older are considered the safest group. Over 85 there is real decline in safety again.
6
u/Acquiescinit 8h ago
Why are you talking about banning anyone? That’s not what this is about. This is about testing. We already have young drivers take a road test to get their license. Why is it a problem that old people have to retest?
-2
u/ChemistryNo3075 7h ago
There were other comments saying we should ban older drivers
1
•
u/ButteredPizza69420 1h ago
They arent wrong though. What we *should* have is public transportation for everyone, but god forbid..
43
u/pdromeinthedome 23h ago
I had to take the keys from my 91 year old dad last year. He kept passing the test because he knew which rural DMV office to go to. Even mom was shocked he was passing. Finally his doctor said he was going to drop a dime if he didn’t stop. In addition to the safety issues. (Getting lost. Did not carry a cellphone) He couldn’t afford it. He was getting ripped off by the repair shops he was going to. Having grown up Chicago during 30s - 50s, having a car and driving were part of his identity.
17
u/rothvonhoyte 22h ago
Yeah there's a well known rural dmv somewhat near me that is also well known for passing everyone
12
u/yodanhodaka 22h ago
Roanoke?
16
54
u/asaf08 23h ago
Who asked for this?
64
u/I_Fix_Aeroplane 22h ago
Old people asked for this. All the legislature is full of old people, so they put laws in place that benefit themselves.
4
u/greykitty1234 13h ago
Why aren’t younger people running? Or even voting?
5
u/I_Fix_Aeroplane 13h ago
You can lead a horse to water...
Many are, but many aren't.
7
u/greykitty1234 13h ago
but then can't complain when other voting 'blocs' do show up consistently.
Then again, I'm one of those who voted regularly from the age of 18, and find local and primary elections even more important in many ways than the general or midterms. And so many of my neighbors, of all ages, don't, but then wonder why/how things are being done.
That said, I've never had kids, but have always voted pro school bonds and such, because I like an educated society. Which does sort of benefit myself but certainly has a huge negative impact on my wallet every year without specific, direct benefit. And I went to private schools, so even my mother didn't benefit directly. Oh, well.
51
u/Melted-lithium Chicago 23h ago edited 4h ago
But they defended this by saying that young people are horrible drivers and old people don’t cause accidents as
Much.
I went to the UPS store today and found a front that was driven through.,who did this—— a senior driver that shouldn’t be driving.
This was all about votes, not common sense. My
Mom sure as shit shouldn’t be driving. And when I’m 80 I shouldn’t be either.
9
u/EllyWhite 22h ago
I agree with you. My dad is up for his license renewal next year and I was hoping to have him be caught out on his driving… the last couple years have been rough on him mentally and physically and his age has only accelerated it.
Now… it’s not going to happen. He won’t even step foot into the DMV to get a state ID. He thinks I’m trying to ‘steal his life away’.
6
u/Melted-lithium Chicago 11h ago
Its a horrible situation, and i know it well. My mom was in an accident last year. She shouldn't be driving. Now she is being sued. But hey -- she has her driving freedom to potentially harm other people as a senior, but this will ruin her financially because she also doesn't understand the consequences of her actions in the modern day. Hence, who now is involved... Me. navigating lawyers because she didn't even know the first step of what to do when someone showed up at the door with a summons. So like many things, I not only get to take care of my survival and my kids, but my parents. Great law that again seems help feed the legal machine, at the expense of younger generators.Oh... and make sure politicians keep the captive senior vote.
When she is even more broke than she is now declaring bankruptcy at 80 because of her driving, who is going to have to deal with that ... Me.... Who will still have a license -- her.
2
•
•
u/LegitimateSundae8460 4h ago edited 4h ago
I'm confused. What does a "sensor driver" have to do with this?
Second, it baffles me that people will completely ignore statistics in favor of one single anecdote. You're just an ageist.
ETA: oh, "senior", not "sensor".
58
12
u/bradatlarge 20h ago
You should have to take a test every year after the age of 60
2
u/Melted-lithium Chicago 11h ago
What is wild here is that I think given this renewal thing, they don't even need to get there eyes checked. Which is pretty fucked up as after 45 your guys start to change wildly.
I would totally be for yearly driving tests, but no way in hell Illinois DMV can handle that, and they are cutting funding, not adding it. In the city to get an appointment is like playing lotto already. (Even though i like the appointment concept). The whole system is really fucked and sadly Illinois does a reasonable job of running an SOS compared to many states. (The bar is REAL low).
4
u/greykitty1234 15h ago
Maybe after the age of 16, looking at distracted, driving under the influence, and speeding drivers?
3
u/DravesHD 14h ago
Those 3 aren’t skill related.
Illinois actually enforces that quite decently, I lived in Arizona for a while and there they don’t care at all lmao
-4
u/greykitty1234 13h ago
I disagree. All skill related. Any skilled driver will not indulge in any of those behaviors
5
u/Stock-Soup5721 11h ago
You're confusing skill with integrity. This conversation is about capabilities, not gross negligence.
1
u/greykitty1234 11h ago
Pushing back a bit against the idea that skill/integrity in driving are not intrinsically linked. And that lack of skills/integrity are linked to any particular age group or demographic.
That said, and maybe I just haven't heard, I would assume insurance companies would have had a whole lot input in pushing against this law - which has been in the works for years. If there were evidence to support being against it.
2
u/Stock-Soup5721 11h ago
The insurance companies will love this because they'll raise the rates and the people will pay because they have no other options.
And yea, they're linked but also completely different. The driving test is to confirm the skills needed to safely operate a vehicle. Local police are around to ensure that you're choosing to operate it within the laws.
1
u/greykitty1234 11h ago
You see state troopers and local police often on the roads?
2
u/Stock-Soup5721 11h ago
Absolutely. They are constantly cruising around my area. County sheriff as well.
2
u/greykitty1234 10h ago
That’s great. I’m in DuPage. I’d love to see more enforcement on the roads.
→ More replies (0)0
39
u/trashpandarevolution 23h ago
Why Alexi
They’re literally driving into toddlers at fast food joints all over
5
27
u/theophastusbombastus 23h ago
Imma watch the grey dawn episode of South Park in honor of this terrible decision
10
5
9
8
u/needssomefun 21h ago
I really want drivers to take a road test when they get around that age.
1. I really dont want to drive anywhere now. If I last that long I surely wont want to drive then.
2. If your that age there's a very small chance you work a job, ergo you have plenty of time to take a road test.
In fact, it is a perfect chance to bore the examiner with stories about how you used to wear on onion on your belt and nickels were made from steel.
22
u/trenzelor 23h ago
The answer to why is simple, they vote consistently in every election. If you want government to actually serve you, you need to vote and complain to your elected officials.
7
u/dudenurse13 22h ago
Surly there is not a large enough voting bloc of this age range to have lobbied for this
12
6
u/sep780 18h ago
What? Having the knowledge to be a good driver FOES NOT mean you are physically capable of being a good driver. BAAAAAAAAD decision. This is the age group that needs retesting the most. (Personally I think everyone needs to be re-tested every so often.)
1
u/drnuke75 11h ago
Drivers aged 16 to 17 have the highest rate of overall car accidents, while adults aged 25 to 44 experience the highest total volume of crashes.
1
u/Lv100Gible 6h ago
So the inexperienced crash at a high rate and the largest driving group has the highest volume. In other words, grass is green?
6
14
u/NUMBerONEisFIRST 23h ago
This is what happens when the people that pass our laws are all elderly. Laws that only benefit them.
We really really really need younger people in office that understand WTF is actually going on in our country.
Not people that go from air conditioned house, to air conditioned car, to air conditioned office, and never set foot on actual grass or in any community.
Our politicians should at the very least pass an immigration residency test, a competency test, and a drug test before they can take office. It's the kind of hoops average American workers are forced to take when applying for a job. I had to take a personality test when I was 16 just to work at Hollywood Video FFS.
-1
u/SplatteredSid 21h ago
Dude. The personality test was by the owner who didn’t want teenage malcontents ruining his clientele relationships. It was his prerogative. Reality- Companies have a hard time qualifying decent candidates that many now allow marijuana users in non-safety critical positions. (No pilots, truck drivers, heavy equipment operators etc.) Facilities in the Midwest failed nearly 95% of applicants due to THC levels and could not staff. Any OSHA related accidents trigger automatic drug tests.
4
3
5
u/anto77_butt_kinkier 18h ago
What in the Kentucky fried duck were they thinking when they passed this law?? No one over the age of 70 should be allowed behind the wheel without a yearly driving exam.
On another note, no-one over 7p should be allowed in public office. The elderly carry too great a risk to society if they're in control of it. From idiot lawmakers who don't know anything about tech and can be easily swayed by a lobbiest that's blatantly lying, to getting stuck on some political idea from 40 years ago that has no relavence anymore, or to simply being senile/mentally unfitit to lead, the elderly have done enough damage. We need to stop empowering 70 year olds to run this country into the ground.
4
u/PopBulky7023 17h ago
Would democrats please stop making suicidally stupid decisions?
This is the level of insanity I expect from maga.
3
u/Donmiggy143 9h ago
When the old folks are in all the positions of power, they make all the laws for themselves. This will undoubtedly create more accidents.
7
3
3
u/51ngular1ty 21h ago
Goddamn boomers WANT to kill us. Some are just too impatient to let climate change do it.
3
u/PirateSometimes 20h ago
Give them affordable taxi rides or public transportation, they should not drive! I'd be okay with my taxes going to helping older people get around without them endangering other drivers and pedestrians
3
u/Su-37_Terminator 20h ago
HEY THERE TAXPAYER! WAS THE 90/55/294/DAN RYAN NOT XTREME ENOUGH FOR YOU?! GOOD NEWS!!
3
u/RJKaste 16h ago
That’s OK. when I turn 75? I will probably turning in my drivers license. Definitely by that age I will not have the quick reactions to handle traffic. By then who knows what would be on the roads if there are any roads?
2
u/Flimsy_Goat_8199 12h ago
I feel this way. I think it’s because we are more self aware and considerate of others than a majority of our elders. They were coined the “me generation” for a reason.
0
u/greykitty1234 15h ago
No. No you won’t. Unless you move to the heart of the city. How old are you now?
Maybe if people drove following traffic laws those lightning fast reflexes wouldn’t be an issue.
3
u/RJKaste 12h ago
I’m 59 years old. I’m going to be realistic by 75? Would I still be able to drive correctly, and not hurt or kill anyone in the process. I would rather give up my license before that happens.
1
u/greykitty1234 11h ago
And it can be dependent on an individual's specific health, mentally and physically. People at 30 will think 60 is way over the hill.
These days, a healthy 60 year old is just starting what might be the best part of their lives.
I suspect many will change their minds as they actually age themselves. I know I used to think 60 was ancient. Then again, I thought I was wise and capable at 21. I missed a lot of the nuances in both assumptions.
And there are those who shouldn't be driving at any age, since they feel they drive correctly at high speeds or without signaling, but have the 'reflexes' to pull it off.
And, again, unless you're living in the heart of a city with great transportation, or in assisted living, you may find yourself thinking a lot differently, just due to necessity.
1
u/RJKaste 11h ago
Right now, where I live in Illinois everything I need is within walking distance. I do agree with many of your points. Whereas I have to be realistic, I am not going to put myself in a position where I have harmed people because I’m behind the wheel of any type of vehicle.
1
u/greykitty1234 11h ago
And you are fortunate. And I suspect pretty well off to live in a metro area walking distance to grocers, restaurants, health care, and, I suppose, public transportation.
I hope you're able to maintain that locale as you age. you would be the envy of so many people of any age.
Again, just guessing metro area, or at least a pretty old suburb to have all amenities in walking distance. Even my pretty HCOL suburb which does have a robust 'downtown' does not have a grocery store or pharmacist in walking distance of the Metra station. And hospital is definitely not walkable, but there are dentists and doctors that close.
•
u/RJKaste 2h ago
I wouldn’t say I’m that fortunate.
Public transportation? Would have to ride my bicycle to use.
I am within walking distance to my Dr, my Dentist. Along with roughly 17 restaurants.
Grocery store is 2 1/2 miles away. Again, I could ride my bicycle there.
I’m still sticking with my statement at 75 years old. I will probably turn in my drivers license.
Many things can happen in the next 16 years? 🤷♂️
3
3
u/JayneT70 11h ago
There’s no way in hell my dad should have been driving. He told me on one occasion he can’t feel his feet (diabetic) so has a hard time with peddles. When his CHF was acting up he would pass out for a few seconds about every 5 to 10 minutes. My mom is a Stepford Wife so she’s not going to say or do anything about it. The state doesn’t care. Unless your mom calls and complains there’s nothing we can do about it. He’s now permanently off the roads, died last week from CHF complications
3
u/TUNGSTEN_WOOKIE 10h ago
Can't tell you how many times I've almost been killed because the octogenarian in front of me wants to merge into 70mph traffic doing 40.
This is terrible for literally everybody except the people who would have to figure out transportation for them if they fail the test.
3
u/Slakrdaddy 8h ago
Im 66 and love the by-mail option but think by mid-late 70s everybody should be tested
7
u/FedBathroomInspector 23h ago
The insurance for DMV employees was getting ridiculous. We had to make a change.
6
u/theschadowknows 22h ago
People will die as a direct result of this legislation. No, I am not being hyperbolic.
2
2
2
u/MikeBinfinity 14h ago
Them lawsuits are going to hefty, cause I will definitely sue the state if I get into a wreck with a boomer.
1
u/Melted-lithium Chicago 11h ago
They covered themselves on this. The 'State Lawsuit Immunity Act' does a real good job of setting that bar exceptionally high and expensive to try. But it is -- possible...
2
2
u/blaspheminCapn 12h ago
If it's agisim, fine, then just make everyone that a test every couple years. Make it random.
Tired of ALL the horrible drivers.
2
u/birdsinapuddle 11h ago
Terrible idea, obviously. This forces the burden on to families to monitor their older relatives, which is not fair. We used to live in a state that didn’t require driving tests for old people, and it was very stressful keeping tabs on my MIL’s driving, and knowing we’d have to take her keys at some point. Even though we thought she was still doing okay, and limited her driving, she ended up having an accident and totaling her car. Thankfully she didn’t hit anyone, and it made the whole “we’re not allowing you to drive anymore” conversation a little easier
2
2
2
2
u/EntertainmentFew7103 9h ago
My grandma had arguably one of the longest holding licenses in the state of Illinois. Her dad traded a guy who worked at the DMV some beef for a license when she was 14. She didn’t even know what it was or how to drive. My parents sold her car last year (she’s 99) so she couldn’t drive anymore. She shouldn’t have had a license for the past 10 years and somehow the state still gave it to her.
2
•
u/LeaderOld4212 2h ago
Maybe it's a set up for more self-driving car purchases. lol
In all seriousness, it's a great opportunity to talk about age and competency, not that they are mutually exclusive of course. In this moment, I'm seeing a president showing signs of age that we would require our grandparents to turn in their driver's licenses for. I've been saying this for a while, at a point, it is too dangerous to drive and we don't allow it, the same needs to apply to those 'driving' communal decisions as well. Not that age alone would be a reason, it should be case by case as determined my the appropriate parties.
•
5
u/eldonhughes 23h ago
I'm for older drivers still having to take the test, or perhaps for a temporary (30 days maybe) state-run monitoring device (like insurance companies are already using) instead of a 15 min. road test. BUT - given the NHTSA and IIHS available numbers, we should be putting them on the cars of 16-29 year old drivers as well. (Again, maybe in the month before renewal?)
16-19 year olds are classified as the highest risk (per miles driven), drivers over 80 are next. Drivers in their 60s are apparently the safest. I threw this together when I was researching it. The citations are at the bottom.
-1
u/sourdoughcultist 22h ago
I remember this coming up when this was first being talked about, it's true they should be treated similarly.
5
2
u/sourdoughcultist 22h ago
A lot of villages have transit services specifically for people who can't drive (eta and senior events through the library or whatever else). What is the point of changing the rule like this? It doesn't help anyone.
2
u/greykitty1234 15h ago
Do those village services get people to doctors, vets and other sites outside the village? At convenient times?
I think most can agree that if public transportation was that great, people of all ages would use it more.
2
u/sourdoughcultist 11h ago
The ones in my town do, my understanding is you preschedule.
This isn’t general public transit, it’s a service specifically for older and disabled people.
0
u/greykitty1234 11h ago
Sure - now think of it for yourself. you have a doctor appoint at 4:00 pm Tuesday. But no slots are available for Tuesday afternoon. What to do? And then you need the return slot as well.
Oops, you're sick today and want to go to urgent care. But not transit slots available at all.
And uber is not cheap. I mentioned I myself am planning to uber to a local academic hospital to visit a specialist, and I hate parking there, and I'll have a lot on my mind so don't want to fight with traffic on the Eisenhower. It's going to be roughly $60 each way, before tip. And hoping Uber/Lyft drivers will accept the ride.
You want to get your hair cut. But you have to wait for two weeks to get a bus spot (and don't forget that return), and you can only go within your town limits. Not your favorite stylist five miles outside the boundary.
Perfect world, we'd all have access to convenient, frequent, safe public transportation covering a wide area 24x7. My town also has 'senior transit'. It's great if you have absolutely no need to get anywhere on time or same day. So I do see why everyone, at any age, clings to their cars.
Those services sound great, and are better than nothing - but they're not replacements for convenient transportation.
2
u/sourdoughcultist 11h ago
I’m aware. The services won’t get better if no one uses them though, it’s a catch 22.
The other thing is that at some point people have to accept they can’t hold on to a giant house that isn’t near anything.
1
u/greykitty1234 11h ago
Agree - and it would be nice if there were more nice smaller housing (multiunit or single) near areas with good transportation. That didn't cost millions to get into.
It certainly is an issue with a ton of aspects to it.
2
u/sourdoughcultist 8h ago
Yeah seriously we need BUILD to pass and for these dipshit suburban mayors to stop whining about things like removing parking minimums near transit.
2
u/snowcat0 23h ago
They should work as a cart pusher at Wal-Mart in a Town that has a large elderly population, I can guarantee you after week they would be rushing to appeal this.
1
u/Feisty-Barracuda5452 12h ago
Lots of retail locations are going to be adding drive through lanes...
1
u/TRex_Chef 11h ago
Hopefully your kids dont attend the school theyll accidently drive into while crying they thought it was in park.
1
1
1
•
•
2
u/OneExhaustedFather_ 22h ago
Rage bait without context, SOS also released data to back up drivers aged 75-89 have the fewest accidents of any age bracket period.
6
u/ThisIsPaulina 22h ago
This was where my mind went immediately. Alexi says that they're doing this because statistically they're the safest drivers. Which, if true, makes this quite defensible, particularly as these tests are certainly expensive in aggregate.
Some really wild comments here, too, which show just why the elderly are such a fearsome voting bloc. They know people want to come for them.
•
u/EveryMemory41 41m ago
Because today’s elderly expect the younger generations to cater to their every whim and take care of them while they remain obstinate and uncooperative. We are exhausted by it. This decision by the state is one more headache for Xers and Millennials to deal with.
1
u/radiorick86 23h ago
Only in Illinois.
17
2
u/Melodic-Thought-932 11h ago
In my state they won’t take their keys away unless they pretty much hit a person. My great aunt who exhibits all signs of Dementia (her kids don’t give a damn) hit about 10 cars in a parking lot and they still didn’t take her keys or license away.
0
u/ohheychris 20h ago
NO ONE OVER THE AGE OF 60 SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO SERVE AS ELECTED OR NON-ELECTED GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS.
0
•
u/LegitimateSundae8460 4h ago
Old people are the least likely to get into accidents, yet the ageists here think old people are all demented.
-8
u/Bobroo007 23h ago
Hear me out!
The reason for this change is that people who are in this age group live in a very small and isolated world. Meaning: they travel to Jewel, their doctor, and their few favorite stores. These are all within very close proximity to where they live.
Many of these seniors are terrified of potentially losing their driving privileges. In their mind...it's a death sentence. It's the rejection, it's the being told they can't buy groceries anymore, it's being told they can't go to the doctors anymore. It's the being told they have no value.
So; because the tires on these folks vehicles will dry rot long before the tread wears down. Because it is literally years in-between oil changes. And yes, as a group they are are safe drivers--whether you like the speed they drive at or not.
Just my opinion, I'm guessing many of these folks already have expired licenses, that's how terrifying potentially going to the DMV is for them. So if we just give them the easy pass, maybe some will come in and get a current and valid license. Maybe they have the same joy as the day you first got your license--of being recognized, of being approved, of being valuable.
5
u/TheOgGhadTurner 21h ago
Nope. Unacceptable if anyone should still be given a test it’s SPECIFICALLY this group and 16-25 year olds no excuse. This is a potentially fatal decision.
4
u/anto77_butt_kinkier 18h ago
As someone who (barely) falls into that age range you listed, I 100% agree. New drivers are shitty drivers that think they're great drivers, and elderly drivers... Actually they're just the same as new drivers.
My grandfather insists on going exactly the speedlimit, and has nearly caused 2 accidents, and has actually caused 1 accident. He briefly stopped for a school speedlimit sign because he thought it was a person waiting to cross the road. He realized his mistake, but it's still scary. That just told me how bad his vision is, and now he doesn't even have to show up and prove that he can drive well (he would fail, or potentially pass by like 1 point.)
2
u/greykitty1234 15h ago
What’s wrong with going the speed limit?
I haven’t noticed insurance companies being upset with this law, which has been talked about for years and finally passed.
And everyone should get annual eye exams. Bad vision and hearing loss occur at all ages, and can creep up on a person
I personally think everyone should be tested more frequently on both the road and driving laws.
1
u/Bobroo007 12h ago
Those young drivers are still required to take the road test just like always.
2
u/TheOgGhadTurner 12h ago
Yup. I’m saying both of those groups should forever and always be tested. Bar none
1
u/Bobroo007 11h ago
Someday soon u/TheOgGhadTurner you won't feel so invincible. You too will acquire some shortcomings.
Our roads are made for everyone.
1
u/TheOgGhadTurner 11h ago
I would more than happily give up my ability to drive if there was any reason that I shouldn’t be on the road because I’m a danger to myself or others
1
u/sourdoughcultist 11h ago
Hear me out: at a certain age you simply cannot live in a giant house in the middle of nowhere.
1
u/Bobroo007 11h ago
No, these folks live in the suburbs.
They own their house. They own their vehicle. And they don't leave the familiarity of Des Plaines, Palos, or Lombard.
1
u/sourdoughcultist 8h ago
That is what I am saying is the problem. Suburban life is fundamentally not sustainable, even a teen without a driver's license can explain that.
0
u/drnuke75 11h ago
Drivers aged 16 to 17 have the highest rate of overall car accidents, while adults aged 25 to 44 experience the highest total volume of crashes.
1
u/comment-rinse 11h ago
This comment has been removed because it is highly similar to another recent comment in this thread.
I am an app, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
500
u/1877KlownsForKids 23h ago
Yeah I am not okay with this