Vision Test for Elderly Drivers Among New Florida Laws in 2004

[demdave]

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - Florida drivers age 80 and over must pass a vision test to renew their licenses under a new law taking effect in 2004.
Starting Jan. 1, the state's more than 500,000 elderly drivers will be required to either take the test in person or have a form signed by their eye doctor saying they've passed.

All drivers who renew in person already get a vision test. But most renew by mail, which they can do every six years up to three times, meaning they can go 18 years without the test.

http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGAG7AMHVOD.html

[Democrats unite]

1. As someone who lives in Florida...

I think this is great!!!

edit spelling

[BiggJawn]

2. Dave Barry sez they can use their canes...

Lean out the driver's side and tap for the curb...

Rove might be upset by this move. Jebbie has always been good for a "101-y-o driver plows into group of tourists when her stack of phone books slip..." stories to get our atention off beltway hocus-pocus....

[beyurslf]

3. Excellent idea.

My 85 yo grandmother had no business driving the last 3 years she lived but she could always pass a written test sent to her in the mail with the answer book included.

[SheilaT]

4. I've never understood

any driver's license renewal system that doesn't at a minimum recheck eyesight.

Here in Kansas we renew every five years and we have to pass a new written test each time. But to make it easy, they send out a copy of the test and the test booklet a couple of weeks ahead of time. And you can fill out the test ahead of time and simply hand it in.

It's really a great system, because it forces you to think about the rules of the road, even if you wind up looking up the answer to every question.

[demdave]

5. The worst thing about elderly drivers is......

they always decide they are too old to drive AFTER they wreck the 1969 Nova with 30k miles on it.

[drb]

6. I've seen an elderly lady come into a customer service office...

...and ask for help writing a check to pay her bill, because she can't see well.

Then she goes out, gets in her car, and drives off.

Personally, even though Florida is part of the BFEE, I wouldn't have a problem with this.

[Gin]

7. It's a good thing

happy new year!

[FlaGranny]

8. Well, that's not as bad as it seems. Some people

are farsighted and can see perfectly well to drive, but can't see things up close, like checkbooks and newspapers. That's me sort of. Except I'm actually nearsighted. I wear contacts or glasses and see 20/20 for distance with them, but must take off my glasses/contacts to see up close or else put on reading glasses over my contacts. Maybe the old lady was wearing contacts and forgot her reading glasses.

P.S. I agree that this is a good law, though.

[Mel]

9. Good law

but I have to think about the ones who won't be able to get around anymore. What a drag it is getting old in this country!

So, do you think when the Baby Boomers (more of them than any other age group) start hitting this point in their lives that maybe, just maybe more will be done so the elderly will be able to get around *mass transportation* in this country? I sure hope so!

[methinks2]

10. Finally

Good news. I am so tired of needing to leap out of the way of these seniors when they're backing up. Yes I did have one back right into my car in the shopping center parking lot. Did you know that all parking lot incidents are automatically "no fault" in Fla. I found out the hard way. I really do like seniors, just not if they're heavily medicated or can't see.

[boneygrey]

11. I wish N.C. would do the same.

Anytime I see a Buick, I get as far away as I can. 90% of the time, they're over 80.:thumbsup:

[TankLV]

12. We have to every time for everyone here in Las Vegas.

Don't need a written test, tho.

In Hawaii, had the written test - with the test and answers posted along the walls while you were waiting to take it - everytime you renewed. Don't remember doing the vision test, tho - things become a distant memory after about 7 years!