Support elimination of anti-senior driving law
If others under age 79 wonder why this is such an important issue, here is your answer. This is a test challenging a specific age group who have been driving for over six decades. If people half our age and experience can take away our driving privileges, it is no different than being on house arrest for the rest of our lives.
We will have to rely on others every time we need to go anywhere. Our independence will be gone. It is life changing and therefore highly stressful.
The Illinois Secretary of State Department did a comprehensive study finding that seniors are among the safest drivers. Combine that with the Illinois Department of Transportation showing that drivers get into fewer accidents as they age and another article stating that drivers 75 and up fail their tests less than the general population.
Most disturbing is that no other state road tests seniors.
There are two bills moving forward on this issue. I support the bill by Joyce Mason. The other bill by Jeff Keicher is implying it will amend the law and perhaps lengthen the times between road tests. No. He wants to talk to AARP, insurance companies, doctors and experts on aging.
This is purely prejudice against an age group.
Please encourage Joyce Mason to continue her fight for us and let Jeff Keicher know the only bill we want is total elimination of a law that never should have been enforced. I have written to both. If enough of us voice our disapproval of this law, we have a good chance of repealing it once and for all. Illinois seniors deserve the same treatment as any other state in our country.
Barbara Bodnarchuk
Arlington Heights