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WBAY, WI Seniors Support More Testing of Older Drivers By Jerry Burke The number of dead climbed to ten Thursday afternoon, a day after a car crashed through an outdoor farmer's market in Santa Monica, California. Nearly four dozen people were sent to hospitals. Witnesses said the car went through the market at "freeway speed." The driver of the car, an 86-year-old man, said the car wouldn't stop, but police are investigating whether he became confused and hit the accelerator instead of the brake, and whether he should have been driving at all. He did have a valid drivers license, and police ruled out drugs and alcohol. The accident raises the issue of whether senior adults should be required to retake their drivers license exams every two years after they turn 75. Seniors we talked with think it might be a good idea. They include people who had their licenses taken away from them because they were deemed no longer fit to drive. One of those we talked with is a feisty, 89-year-old woman. Sally Ebben was ordered to retake her drivers license test and flunked it. She reacted, "I just said to my son-in-law, 'Let's get out of here!'" "I said, I didn't pass it, I just lost everything, and I'm going to sit in this chair and I'm going to die!" Sally says the biggest thing she lost was her independence. Now she says she has to rely on other people to get her around. "You have to sit here until somebody takes you. It's really no fun, I can tell you that," said Sally. John Kuebler may someday be in Sally's shoes. He has Parkinson's. At age 75, John says he will accept it if he's ever told to turn in his license. "I have to go along with it, unfortunately." John points out ironically, "I can drive better than I can walk. I have no problem with it when I'm driving but it's with the walking, I have to be careful because I fall a great deal." John and his card-playing buddies have no problem with requiring seniors to retake driving tests. Neither does Sally, but she says others should follow her lead: "I sold my car the same day I lost my drivers license, because I knew I would get in it and drive it if I didn't!" SOURCE: WBAY, WI http://www.wbay.com/Global/story.asp?S=1364959&nav=51s7GxXI * * * Reference: Are you a public safety hazard? http://neuro-mancer.mgh.harvard.edu/ubb/Forum71/HTML/008659.html * * * ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn