Tests for Senior Drivers

“Yes, Do Test Elderly Drivers,” editorial, Aug. 8: broad class of people for special treatment simply because of age--a class which undoubtedly contains a large number, if not a majority, of excellent and experienced drivers.

If you and Hayden are concerned about drivers who cause accidents, then that’s where the focus should be--i.e., make it more challenging for drivers who have accidents to remain in the privileged class of California drivers, regardless of their age.

Hayden’s bill is bad and should be rejected totally.

WILLEM LAMERS

Torrance

* The day before I read your editorial, my wife and I drove 135 miles from Yucca Valley to Manhattan Beach to look for a new computer. We then drove to Santa Monica and West Los Angeles to check other sources. For old times’ sake, we lunched in car-clogged Brentwood and then drove to Monterey Park to buy some tea. And then home; 334 miles of freeways and jammed L.A. streets.

Was I competent for such a trip? Or lucky?

At the age of 77, would I object to being tested annually? No. In fact, I’d welcome it. I know I’m a good driver. But am I a safe driver? In 62 years, I had only one accident, a parking lot $500-fender bender when I was 73, due to my inattention. (Hmmm.)

What are my visual, judgment and physical response times? Everyone 70 and older should be tested regularly.

JOHN M. FRETER

Yucca Valley

* I would like to know which “statistics” show that older drivers have more accidents than other groups. Traffic studies I have seen (and there are many) indicate that young drivers have the most accidents and that speed and recklessness are the major causes. These are generally not habits of older drivers. Your editorial writers should do their homework before supporting a bill that will do great social harm and that stereotypes and penalizes good drivers for simply growing old. Don’t we all, in due time?

BETTE ANDERSON

Laguna Beach