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The reason some old folks have problems giving up their drivers license is they don't like giving up the sense of freedom and independence it gives them. Once they lose that they tend to get depressed and eventually give up on life. You'll understand it better once you reach their age.

Or just remember when you were 13 or 14 and had to depend on a relative to take you places, including dances and parties. Would you like to go back to that?

Also, it is more than just losing driving privleges for most older folks, it also may mean moving to a new home, maybe even someplace  you wouldn't live at if you had the choice, so it is more convenient to get around. Not everyone has kids or grandkids that can rearrange their lives around someone else's schedule. Not everyone lives where public transportation is available or advisable. It isn't 'old age' that impairs driving, it is the physical declines associated with aging, so a person who cannot drive conversely also needs to see more doctors more often, fill prescriptions, etc.

I support the "test people every so often" approach to weed out the drivers who can't cut it anymore, but I would start it at age 50 or so, and I'd have them tested every year.
 
Of course, I defy you to find any majority of constituents who would approve of such legislation, considering the wide gap between old and young voters.

You're probably right.

I don't know if annual tests are logistically possible. The idea has merit.   Anyone know how testing for driver's licenses is handled in Germany or Holland? How about England?

Here is something to check on in your respective states.  In Massachusetts, the person who holds the post of Registrar of Motor Vehicles (The Head of the Registry of Motor Vehicles) has the legal authority to suspend or revoke the license of anyone who is, in his/her own judgement, an immediate threat to public safety. No court action is required. Of course, the person whose license is pulled in this manner may appeal the decision.

This authority is rarely used, but it happens in well reported accident cases. (i.e. The ones which make the news, usually where a child is killed)

Any such laws in your home states?


Enigma

A law could be made that some drivers would not be allowed on major roadways.

Friend of mine almost got hit by a car. The driver was some old guy who was just rippin' down a resedential street. He then stops in amazement and says, "Don't be walkin' on the road!" and then the other guy says, "I was moving to the curb" and the guy drives off.

Then another one of my friends yell, "Yeah, smurf you, you old piece of smurfing smurf!"

Hilarity ensued.

I support the "test people every so often" approach to weed out the drivers who can't cut it anymore.

Anyone know how testing for driver's licenses is handled in Germany or Holland? How about England?

No renewal of licenses is currently required in the UK. It is assumed that someone who passed their test when they were 17 is going to be just as good a driver when theyre 117. The only way you can have your license taken away without commiting a driving offence is if your eyesight deteriorates and an optition/doctor tells the driver licensing authorities.

Testing people every so often just wouldn't be feasable. I just booked my driving test about a week ago. I could have booked it at the nearest test centre, but I would have had to wait until march, so instead I booked it at another one 50 miles away and "only" have to wait until the end of january. If you suddenly had everyone booking driving tests every 5 or even 10 years the system couldn't cope.

Also Slow drivers are dangerous (usually they're SMOAPS - Slow Moving Old Age Pensioners) as people will take risks to overtake them. And being forced to drive slowly through electronic gadgets is dangerous. A test was done at a university where they wired up a sat nav system so the car knew what the speed limit was and couldn't go faster. They then put someone who was banned from driving for speeding in the car with cameras watching him, and worked out he was a more dangerous driver when compared to driving an unmodified car as fast as he wanted to. The reason was that he got lazy, and didn't pay as much attention as when he was driving fast and his subconsious told him to pay more attention.