Comments on: DC Puts Elderly, Unsafe Drivers Back on Road

By: M1EK

M1EK — Thu, 10 May 2007 18:32:20 +0000

James, That's a very naive oversimplification of tax policy and regulation over the last 60 years. The vast, overwhelming majority of the country required suburban sprawl by zoning code and outlawed any new construction of urban neighborhoods. Only in the last few years have a few areas began to turn back the clock on that ill-advised move. People didn't "choose" the suburbs. The suburbs (and suburban-style development in "the cities") were the only choice allowed.

By: James Joyner

James Joyner — Thu, 10 May 2007 17:20:36 +0000

Our elderly and any other people who can't drive or choose to not drive should be able to find a place to live where walking or bicycling is the norm. But there exists almost no such place in our country.

NYC (Manhattan), DC, Boston, Chicago, and other major metropolitan areas are very pedestrian friendly and car-unfriendly. Many small towns are as well.

The problem is that many of us choose to live in the suburbs where nice, new homes are relatively affordable. Almost by definition, suburbs involve sprawl.

By: jeff b

jeff b — Thu, 10 May 2007 16:33:20 +0000

It's burdensome that cars are required for living. It's a shame that most American cities are completely useless to people without cars. Our elderly and any other people who can't drive or choose to not drive should be able to find a place to live where walking or bicycling is the norm. But there exists almost no such place in our country.

By: Anderson

Anderson — Thu, 10 May 2007 15:47:39 +0000

Interesting. My (quite senile) dad lost his keys, which proved convenient as an excuse why he shouldn't drive, given the consensus of his family & friends. But if not for that, he would still have been able to drive, and get himself or someone else killed.

The annual exam is burdensome -- look how annoying it is to get down to the DMV every 3 years or whatever to renew one's license -- but it may be the lesser evil.

By: M1EK

M1EK — Thu, 10 May 2007 15:43:56 +0000

I grew up in South Florida, where you could move there from New York in your 70s, and not actually have to take an eye test again for 18 years (at one point). Talk about learning how to drive in a challenging environment.

This brings us back, though, to the excessive subsidization of driving (and concomittant practical destruction of alternatives). Judges are loath to take away somebody's car keys even when they are a clear menace because our regime of public spending has been 150% car, -50% everything else.

By: Dave Schuler

Dave Schuler — Thu, 10 May 2007 14:40:02 +0000

As the age of legislators rises, I expect that it will become increasingly difficult to enact legislation of this sort however prudent it might be.

By: Mark

Mark — Thu, 10 May 2007 14:29:09 +0000

I was surprised to read only two states require road tests for older drivers (IL and NH).

Behold the power of the AARP...