by Amer Numan

Created on: December 16, 2008

Absolutely not. This would simply create legislation that needs reversing in the not-too-distant future, and the law-making process costs time and money that we can save here. I do support, however, the idea of a driving test that simply checks a driver of a certain age for their basic visual, mental, and reactive capabilities. Consider the following facts:

According to [www.medicalnewstoday.com], "researchers led by Bob Anderson, chief of the National Center for Health Statistics' mortality statistics division, examined more than 2.4 million death certificates issued in 2003, about 93% of death certificates issued that year." Mr. Anderson's team reported that the "average life expectancy for U.S. residents in 2003 increased by nearly four months from an average of 77.3 years in 2002."

Not much, I know. Keep in mind, however, that this increase is exponential; It is not a solid increase of 4 months in life expectancy every year. The more we are learning about the major causes of death in any given year, the faster we are adding to this average life expectancy for the following year.

Mortality decreases in Mr. Anderson's report were even categorized in detail:

Heart disease declined by 3.6%;

Cancer declined by 2.2%;

Stroke decreased by 4.6% (Washington Times, 3/1);

HIV-related deaths declined by 4.1% (Los Angeles Times, 3/1);

Chronic respiratory disease declined by 0.7%;

Flu and pneumonia declined by 3.1%;

Accidents decreased by 2.2%;

Suicide declined by 3.7% (AP/Las Vegas Sun, 2/28);

Alcohol-related illnesses declined by 4.3%;

Drug-related causes decreased by 3.3%; and

Work-related injuries decreased by 13%.

To limit ourselves, and set a maximum age for something as basic as driving, is a direct statement that we lack any faith in this research that is delivering real results year after year, and increasing life expectancy by SOME amount as we live through today.

Let's also approach this from a more social view. Think of 5 senior citizens you know, or even people above 60 years of age. Chances are, each one of these people is at a different stage in terms of their mobility, physical power, and mental condition. Wouldn't it be absolutely offensive to the more active ones to rip their right to drive somewhere away from them? Possibly their only mode of transportation to get to their doctors, run their errands, and maintain their normal lives?

To me personally, I cannot help picturing the two senior citizens closest to me while writing this; my grandfather; who is an active and avid investor at 76 years of age, constantly hopping from one investment firm to the next, going to major trading markets, while being a very disciplined and proper driver, and my grandmother, who needs a wheelchair at 63 years of age, to go to the kitchen and get a glass of water.

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