I remember when my best friend got his license. He picked me up with a grin on his face and hands me his still-warm, freshly laminated drivers license.
"You know what that the women who gave me my license asked to me?" He blurts out.
"No I dont; what did she say?" I quipped.
"She asked me if driving was my right or my privilege! I told her it was my right; she told me it was my privilege."
I used to think it was a right but I’ve been slowly changing my mind.
I get upset when I read stories about elderly drivers plowing through crowds of people. [thumb:328:r:l=x]
I get even more upset when I read stories that praise this sort of behavior.
Slow, decrepit, arthritic people with bad vision, poor hearing and terrible reflexes have no business operating heavy machinery. This includes operating a motor vehicle on public streets and highways.
Dont get me wrong; I dont like regulation anymore than the next guy. Im not saying all elderly people shouldnt be allowed to drive. I do however think the department of motor vehicles in each state needs to step up and start shortening expiration dates and increase visual and audible testing for those that want to renew their licenses.
What do you think? Is it the government’s place to regulate elderly drivers or is driving a car a right that’s irrevocable?