According to an article in the Republican
A key state legislative committee gave a favorable recommendation Tuesday to a bill that would require drivers 75 and older who are renewing their license to pass tests to prove they can safely operate a vehicle.
The action comes after a spate of fatal accidents recently involving elderly drivers in Massachusetts.
While this is certainly a move in the right direction, I have to ask, why 75? Why not 55? Why not a test for anyone who is involved in an accident, or perhaps just found at fault in an accident? Why not a test at each license renewal? While it may be true that new drivers, for a short period of time, actually know and adhere to the rules of the road, these good behaviors quickly fade as they spend more time on the road. I’m often shocked by the lack of knowledge, of the general rules of the road, by drivers I have discussions with. As the laws are frequently changing, wouldn’t it make sense to administer a test at each license renewal?
When my wife and I first moved to Rhode Island, we were both shocked when it came time to get our licenses that they required no test, whatsoever. I’ve now held a driver’s license in three different states. All except Rhode Island required at least a written test when moving into the state and transferring your driver’s license.