Seniors driving issue

Statistics bear that senior drivers are no more likely than others to incur accidents with the caveat they will have more fatal accidents.

Mandatory age testing is at a fixed point in time. Dementia (in its many forms) is a trajectory but may not affect all functions and is well acknowledged by families and caregivers that a driver can pass both written and driving tests and come home not recalling having done either.

Families must seek out and fund specialized driver exams that actually assess problem solving, reaction times, physical capabilities, etc. How many actually pursue this?

Solution? No, but hope law enforcement and DMV examiners receive unbiased training and guidance to recognize signs of cognitive/visual/motor impairment for any age person and use their authority to remand the license at that time, or unfortunately, submit the public to a motor vehicle accident.

Elizabeth Holmer

Plato Township