Proposal to Test Older Drivers

* I am retired from the Navy Reserve with 29 years of active and reserve duty and never thought state Sen. Tom Hayden would do anything I could agree with him about, but I agree with him on his SB 335 (May 3). This bill, which would require me and my fellow seniors to pass a DMV driving test, is OK with me.

Having just celebrated my 77th birthday, I would be pleased to take a DMV driving test; if nothing else just to prove that my driving is not a danger to my fellow man or to myself. Almost every day I see some of my neighbors who scare me out of 10 years of my life, and I don’t have that many years to spare, with the way they roll stop signs, don’t see the other traffic, change lanes without signaling and drive too slowly in the fast lanes.

DEAN DAVISSON

Laguna Woods

* Hayden’s attempt to initiate a law requiring seniors over age 75 to pass more stringent requirements for maintaining a driver’s license than those under age 75 is highly discriminatory, as well as being unjustified. I feel much safer seeing older people behind the wheel than I do seeing younger ones speeding in and out of traffic with one hand on the steering wheel and the other holding a cell phone.

If we want higher standards for obtaining a driver’s license, let’s require them for everyone. There probably are some seniors who should not be driving, but I would venture to say that there is a larger percentage of non-seniors who should not be driving either. Just drive the Los Angeles freeways and observe who the speeding and unsafe drivers are.

EDWARD SARAFFIAN

Los Angeles

* I fail to see the downside of testing drivers over 75 on their ability (or inability) to safely operate a motor vehicle and for them to have to pass an eye test without use of the “bioptic telescopic lens.” I would personally like to see this test given yearly to all drivers past 70. There have been far too many tragedies involving elderly drivers to see this bill fail.

As for the AARP’s Helen Savage and her fear that the bill would “lump together all people age 75 and older without regard for individuals,” I find her comments arrogant. Would she really be happier knowing that even if a majority of drivers past this age were a menace, it is better to protect the few who aren’t? I do not relish being the next victim of an 86-, 96-, 81- or 78-year-old driver whose faculties have diminished to the point of vehicular mayhem.

SKIP HOUSTON

Laguna Beach

* I am 80 and I have a proposition for Hayden. I will arm-wrestle him and the loser will have to take a “road test”!

ZACHARY A. CHARLES

Burbank