Imagine driving down a two-lane road, and the speed limit is 55. Many would set their cruise control to 60 or even 65 depending on the driver. So imagine how it feels to be in this situation, but stuck behind a car going five mph under the speed limit with no way to pass them. I know many people experience this exact scenario on a regular basis, and one could argue that there is no specific demographic that fits the description of a painfully slow driver, however, they are simply wrong. Yes, anyone can get caught going five under the speed limit at any given time, however, older generations typically fit this description more than anyone else.
Even though many recognize this as an issue, no one wants to address it because it could potentially offend those of older generations. However, they may not see how hazardous their driving is to others or themselves on the road. One could argue they are more likely to get rear-ended, or even be the underlying cause of a head-on collision between two cars where one was trying to pass them on a two-lane road. Even though this crash is technically the fault of the person passing, it becomes increasingly frustrating to be stuck behind drivers of this caliber on a regular basis. Many from the Millennial and Gen Z generations agree on this problem and one solution is consistently brought up.
They believe that people should be required to take another driving test when they turn 65. The way this would work is that your driver’s license would expire every eight years like normal until you renewed it between the ages of 57 and 65. When this happens, one’s license would expire on their 65th birthday, which forces them to go in and get it renewed. At this point, they would be forced to take a driving test at the Department of Transportation (DOT) and pass it before walking away with a new license.
Some people believe this solution is unrealistic because of the protocols it would require the DOT to put in place among other problems. Obviously, a law like this would require a change by the DOT, however, it doesn’t force them to create anything new or do anything they aren’t used to. In fact, it could give more people potential jobs because so many teens are doing their driving test through Drivers Education instead of the DOT. Because of this, the demand for DOT driving proctors is low, but if tests for 65-year-olds were soon required, there could be more job positions to be filled. Another concern is that people who don’t pass the test are left with no way to get to the places they need to go. However, I completely disagree with that statement. Public transportation is still an option, especially throughout the Cedar Rapids metro area. It can be an adjustment, however these precautions may be best for everyone to prevent collisions and other dangerous encounters.
Overall, this issue of dangerous older drivers needs to be addressed. Whether with the solution previously mentioned or a new creative way that hasn’t been thought of, any solution is better than none. Problems like these may not be important to everyone, but with as much concern as this issue has raised in the community, I believe it’s something that needs to be solved.
