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Tuesday, June 03, 2008
Question of the Day, Tue 6/3
Do you think MVA should make it mandatory for drivers to take a driving test more than once? For example, maybe every 10 years, which would be every other license renewal? Not to knock senior citizens, because I respect my elders...but I see people that look 85+ years old, driving. However, on the other hand, there are many middle-aged drivers that seem to NOT know the laws of the road.
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17 comments:
Great question.
I would happily take the test for the purpose of weeding out the drivers who do not deserve to hold a license. Too many times we hear of elderly as well as some younger people who have hurt and killed innocent people due to thier lack driving abilities.
If you consider the controled substances that some older people take it would be much like driving under the influence.
I think that every ten years would be a good idea, though i would have a hard time with parrell parking. I know of a local lady who is 101 years old who drives every day. I do not wish to take away her independence, but she does not have the faculties to be a safe driver. She has had many close calls. I welcome some change.
My sister and I were lucky. Years ago I told my older sister if it ever came to that, she would have to tell Mom she should give up her license because she would cuss me out.
We were lucky, she decided on her own and surrendered her license.
IMHO - everytime you are up for renewal - take the written and driving test.
And it seems ALL the young drivers either don't know the rules of the road or just don't care.
great idea!!! i've always felt that something needs to be done with drivers that shouldn't be on the road whether due to age, maturity, or whatever other matter. i strongly support this and wish someone would take it into consideration at the mva
My grandfather was driving way past any point when it was safe. Then one day in 1993, he left his rowhouse in East Baltimore to go to the store. 18 hours later he was found in a roadside ditch/grass median just outside of Washington DC, disoriented and confused. Apparently he made one wrong turn, couldn't figure out where he was and kept trying to get home. One bad turn lead to another, and he eventually couldn't figure it out anymore. He could have killed himself or others. He died about a year later from Alzheimer's.
So I think the answer is yes to re testing. But, I'm with Anon 8:50 am regarding the parallel parking. If so, I'm renting a little automatic hatchback to take the test with.
You all are just giving and justifing the State to charge another outrageous fee and continue to raise it for their greed. They all ready have an over abundence amount of money now that they cannot manage. If this is implimented then it should be done when certain violations occur. This should also include Bicycle riders since they think they own the road and do not practice safety. The Sea Gull classic and other Bicycle events create more dangerous conditions on the highways than the Elderly. Then again this is an age of blaming the other person or the group which is the easiest target. Time for common sense. I am considered a Senior Citizen in some circles and will match my driving skillsand driving record with any one. I still hold a Class - AM CDL. Do I have any takers?
yes ,we need that.
But make it free, dont give government ideals about making more money on us.
Commercial license tests are fairly expernsive
Perhaps if we did have this law, Mr. Wade would have a MD license. I also believe it should be every five years.
it should be a graduated system where it increases in frequency over time. up until 65, normal... after that until 74, every 3 years, then every year after that... to keep us all safe...
Why should everyone have to take the test because a few drivers don't know what the laws are.
The police don't enforce the laws the way they used to. Examples:
passing on the right,parked in fire lane shopping centers, failure
to give turn signals , failure to
stop at stop signs and on and on.
Tailgaters etc.
OK!
Let me wade in on this one with the opinion of one who is first over 65 yrs old, secondly a retired cop.
I believe from experience and recent observations that anyone under 21 and over 65 should be required to retake a driver proficiency test on a regular basis. That test also should qualify what type of vehicle the person is qualified to drive, especially when it comes to large RV's.
Now, the other issues is can the MVA be expected to be able to administer these additional test with out huge amounts of new employees.
Do you suppose if these test were given that those under 21 would be required to test while text messaging. Since that is what most of them are doing while driving it should be a part of the test. As for us old f---- we should be required to demonstrate we still have the cognitive skills to blend in with traffic while maintaining a speed over 45 mph.
It's amazing to me all the focus on DWI's and little or no mention (one here) of ALL the people of POWERFUL drugs driving to and from work everyday. Stupid drivers, drugged drivers (antidepressants and such) and inconsiderate oblivious idiots, cause as many, if not more accidents, than aggressive drivers.
The graduated system for testing is logical, more frequent as you get older.
As for the younger drivers - They can't read, write or spell, so how do you expect them to operate heavy machinery?? 16-18 year olds in this country right now have the equivalent of about a 6th grade education! Period. 19-25 year olds have about an 8th grade education.
The only reason 16 year olds can drive is to give more business to the automakers. 18 should absolutely be the driving age. Take the bus to school - Save on gas, and make Algore happy!
BC in NC
If I remember correctly, they make you take an eye test every time you renew your license.
IF you think the lines are long down at the MVA now, just make it mandatory for driving tests, too! You ain't seen nothing yet
The lines are long enough now at the DMV, not to mention the price for tags and such. Those that have a commercial license have to pay through the nose already. We need to stop the illegals from coming to Maryland just to get a license. Maryland is one of the few state that will allow them to get a license where most states will not unless they are here legally.
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