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State Driving Laws: Across the nation, state legislatures are scrambling to find solutions to growing transportation saftey concerns. By Katie Lewis Currently, one in four drivers in the United States is over sixty–five years old, and the proportion is expected to increase dramatically over the next several decades, according to the U.S. Administration on Aging. Although older drivers typically log less mileage than other age groups, the rates of accidents and deaths remain high. Only teen drivers rival seniors in the incidence of traffic violations and fatalities. Older drivers are also more vulnerable to injuries when involved in crashes. These trends have propelled the issue of senior driving into the national consciousness. Across the nation, state legislatures are scrambling to find solutions to these growing transportation safety concerns. Twenty–two states have imposed mandatory re–tests for all drivers after they reach a specified age. Last year, Florida began requiring drivers eighty and older to take vision tests when renewing driver's licenses. But for years, senior advocacy groups have opposed these laws, contending that age–based mandates are a form of discrimination. In June 2003, Oregon became the first state to implement a law that restricts driving based solely on medical impairment, rather than age. "Oregon's new program applies to drivers of all ages, from nineteen to ninety–nine," explains Bill Merrill, the coordinator for Oregon's Medically At–Risk Driver program. The state Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) created a division to help monitor and implement the new law. The previous state law required doctors to report patients who have experienced a loss of consciousness and control. Under the new reporting requirements, a doctor must report any patient with an impairment that is severe and cannot be controlled by medication, surgery, therapy or adaptive devices. After the law was implemented in 2003, Oregon's DMV received 452 referrals from doctors during the first eight months. Nearly 89 percent of the referred patients received immediate license suspensions. In this group, 72 percent of the patients referred were over sixty years old. Merrill says that only fifty–two referred drivers attempted a re–licensing test, and all have failed. "We seem to be getting the right people off the roads," he explains. "So far the program is functioning as anticipated." Oregon's law represents an important step in improving transportation safety by increasing the involvement of health care providers in the decision to restrict driving. "Many physicians have not previously associated specific ailments with driving abilities," Merrill explains. However, awareness of the issue continues to grow. According to Merrill, the Oregon Medical Association declared senior driving the state's http://influx.uoregon.edu/2004/html/driving2_side.html (1 of 2) [4/25/2008 2:32:10 PM]
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second public health priority this year, behind obesity. In addition, the American Medical Association recently released a document for physicians that outlines driving ability assessment practices and counseling techniques for at–risk patients. Merrill says, "The recent changes indicate that senior driving is becoming a prominent health issue and a major public safety concern."
http://influx.uoregon.edu/2004/html/driving2_side.html (2 of 2) [4/25/2008 2:32:10 PM]