I know this is a bad subject for some folks. But why is there a minimum legal age (16) for a person to obtain a drivers license and not a maximum age. With people living longer it just seems that we should be questioning how long someone can safely drive. There are many people 60, 70 and 80 plus years that still have the ability to drive safely but there are those too that no longer have the skills and reaction time to safely operate a car. This isn’t a question of discrimination against old people. The same judgement we use to determine its okay for a sixteen year old to operate a car should we apply to determine when someone should give up their privilege to drive on our public roads.

A five year reaction test should be required for all people, in my opinion. Also, doctors should be required to report to ALDOT all who have had a stroke or suffered setbacks that would endanger folks, the same as they are required to report diabetics who get a CDL license. Diabetics, once reported, must submit a specific endocrinology report every five years. That report is above the mandantory physical that is required every two years.

I agree.  I’d hate to have to do it myself, but I think most people would admit there are too many people driving who are no longer able to safely do so.

I would go so far as to say a five-year driving test for everyone over sixty-five, then maybe more frequently as age creeps up.  I used to ride in the car with my stepmother and there was no way that woman needed to be driving.  But she - like many older people - would never admit their driving abilities are slipping.  Only if mandatory testing was required would they then be forced to recognize what they themselves might not be able to admit.

I think one of the saddest and most life-altering things an older person can face is the time they can no longer drive.  It’s the end of their independence.  Nevertheless, we’re all gonna be there one day - if we’re lucky.  And there are too many other innocent people on the roads to allow someone to drive when it’s not safe to do so.

-nab

I agree there are a lot of people out there that should not be driving and not just the elderly.For some of these people there is no other choice,they either drive or don’t get groceries or medicine.Mass transportation is not available to a lot of these drivers,usually only in the central part of a city.Make mass transportation available county wide first then crack down on those not able to safely drive.When everyone leaves smiling it’s a good deal.

Amen on the mass transportation.  If Mobile grows like expected, there is going to be a great need for it.  Parking is bad enough already.