Seniors driving law is pure ageism
I have a real problem with our Illinois lawmakers and Alexi Giannoulias.
Why do they think they are helping seniors with House Bill 1226? All it does is change the age when yearly road tests begin. They refuse to read the facts regarding who is committing all the accidents.
Not one representative has reported that younger drivers are by far the most unsafe, so do they really care about everyone’s safety?
Speeding is the No. 1 cause of accidents, but seniors are blamed for driving too slow, so who are the speeders?
Distracted driving is another main cause due to cellphones and texting. Who uses their phones the most?
DUIs are mainly caused by ages 21-34.
Fleeing and eluding, road rage, risky driving, road racing, carjacking, and gangs with guns in the car are all violations of younger drivers.
Those opposed to repealing senior road tests use opinions and bias. They imply seniors may lose their alertness and reaction time. What about all the DUIs? Are those drivers alert? They are crashing without even applying their brakes. So much for their reaction time.
The opposers say arthritis may affect head turning. Do they know how many people are getting stiff necks due to always being on computers, phones, and gaming sites?
HB 1226 is ageism at its worst. It disregards all the facts, targets the safer drivers, and ignores every study and statistic. If every other state concluded senior road tests are unconstitutional and discriminating, how can Illinois justify this bill or the existing law?
For some unknown reason our lawmakers are not listening to their voters or the facts. No one wants to be blamed for something they did not do. Seniors are being targeted unjustly. Repealing the existing law will be the only bill I accept.
Barbara Bodnarchuk
Arlington Heights