Elderly Drivers in Tennessee Could Have Tougher Regulations
Statistics show that in in the next 20 years, the number of elderly drivers is expected to triple in the United States.
But, older drivers may soon have tougher regulations if a state law is passed. The new regulations would require elderly drivers to take more test before they continue driving on the roads.
Statistics show that seniors have the highest crash death rate of all drivers except teenagers. And this new proposed law, has many older drivers thinking twice about their future behind the wheel.
"I'm 66 and I'm in my prime. I'm like being 25 or 35 years old," says Joseph Readus.
Joseph Readus isn't ready to give up driving. He's been doing it for 50 years. Today, he made his weekly visit to the Eastgate Senior Activity Center for a health screening.
"If I think an elderly person is able to walk around and take care of himself," says Readus.
Then he says retired folks like him should be able to stay on the roads without new laws.
Tennessee lawmakers may soon pass laws that would force older drivers to take additional test. These new laws would also allow family members to request a license be taken away from an elderly relative.
"I'm 74 and I don't feel like they should take my license because I'm capable of driving, taking test and staying out of trouble," says driver James Benford.
"If I had to be checked to stay in driving, I would be checked, because I love to drive. And I don't want to lose that privilege," says driver Mike Fallon.
As Mike Fallon played pool at the Senior Center, he told us about an 85-year old school bus driver he knows that hit and killed three children in Florida. He says additional tests are definitely needed for older drivers.
"He thought he could see garbage cans, but in reality there were three kids," says Fallon.
Stories like this are why Doris Smith has never been behind the wheel.
"Not a driver, I'm a non-driver. I've never been interested in driving," says Doris Smith.
Smith enjoys being "chauffeured" and tells us no one over 80 years old should be driving.
Tennessee is one of few states across the country with very little restrictions targeting older drivers.
