Do Elderly Drivers Need to Be Tested?

* Re “Motorcycle Deputy, 36, Dies of Injuries From Accident,” June 26:

The tragic death of Orange County Sheriff’s Deputy Steve Parsons brings to mind the very sensitive issue of restricted driving privileges for the elderly.

One cannot ignore the fact that this accident would not have happened had the 77-year-old driver actually seen the traffic signal. It is a shocking and extremely lame excuse, particularly in light of the tragedy that it caused.

On our freeways, accidents are caused every day by bad drivers, and good drivers are often bullied by aggressive drivers. The use of radar could enhance enforcement of [traffic laws].

However, on local streets, it is extremely rare that drivers actually drive straight through signals or stop signs. The only enhancements to traffic enforcement on local streets is stricter patrol and, more importantly, stricter controls of driving privileges for those over 65.

Yes, the elderly deserve the freedom of driving, but they should not be immune to strict and frequent tests for visual and other impairments that go along with aging.

Would the driver be charged if she were 37 instead of 77? Should we all use the excuse that we simply did not see the signal?

I sense an inequity here, even though licensed drivers of all ages in this state are bound by the same traffic laws.

J. BINGHAM

Orange

* Your report on June 20 of a critically injured deputy on a motorcycle, who later died, showed an unfair bias against elderly drivers.

The article describing two other recent accidents involving policemen on motorcycles sounded like the policemen themselves lost control of their machines. Their ages were not given.

And was it really necessary to point out the Santa Monica accident by a 96-year-old driver? When a teenager kills someone, do you list all the other teenagers in similar accidents?

As for special drivers’ tests for everyone over 75, how about special tests for anyone causing a serious or fatal accident?

ELIZABETH SURACE

Laguna Woods