The unfortunate deaths that families have had to endure is devastating, and while sometimes these tragedies can be prevented, other times the causes remain unknown. Statistics show that inexperience drivers coupled with as we age, our cognitive functions decline, affecting abilities essential for safe driving. Memory, attention, decision-making, reaction time, and spatial awareness are all critical for operating a vehicle, and aging affects many of these capabilities naturally.

Introduction

 

The ability to drive provides independence, mobility, and quality of life for millions of Americans. However, inexperience and aging can also bring physical, cognitive, and medical changes that may impair a person’s ability to operate a motor vehicle safely. To balance personal independence with public 
safety, this proposal recommends requiring adults beginning at age 25 complete a written driving evaluation every seven (7) years to the age of seventy (70).  Age seventy (70) and older to complete a written driving evaluation every five (5) years as a condition of license renewal.

 

The purpose of this proposal is not to discriminate against adults, but rather to ensure that all drivers remain physically, mentally, and medically capable of safely operating a vehicle on public roads, the same requirements already exist for commercial driver license holders. In Texas, physicians are not legally required to report a patient to the Department of Public Safety (DPS) but may voluntarily submit medical information. DPS then evaluates the driver through the Texas Medical Evaluation Process for Driver Licensing.

 

Proposed Requirement

 

Beginning at age 25:

 

Drivers must complete a written driving test every seven (7) years during license renewal. The outcome of the written test would determine if a physical driving test was warranted.  

   ·         Vision screening 

   ·         Review of medical conditions and medications 

   ·         Written driving test with a possible practical behind-the-wheel driving test 

 

Beginning at age 70:

 

Drivers must complete a written driving test every five (5) years during license renewal. The outcome of the written test would determine if a physical driving test was warranted.  

    ·         Vision screening 

    ·         Cognitive and reaction-time assessment 

    ·         Review of medical conditions and medications 

    ·         Written driving test with a possible practical behind-the-wheel driving test

Drivers who pass retain full driving privileges. 

Drivers with identified concerns may receive: 

 

   ·          Referral to the Texas Medical Evaluation Process for Driver Licensing
   ·          Requirement for corrective lenses or adaptive equipment 
   ·          Shorter renewal periods 
   ·          Restricted licensing
This proposal promotes safety while preserving independence for capable drivers.

Rationale for the Proposal

1. Public Safety
Motor vehicle accidents remain one of the leading causes of injury and death in the United States.  As drivers age, the likelihood of experiencing impairments that affect safe driving increases significantly.

 

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA):

 

    ·   Adults (25–54): Represents the largest segment of licensed drivers and spends the most time commuting, they total the highest absolute volume of collisions and traffic-related injuries

    •  In 2024, over 8,019 fatal crashes involved drivers age 65 and older.
    •  Older-driver fatalities accounted for approximately 20% of all fatal traffic crashes in the United States.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports:

 

    •  Nearly 9,100 older adults were killed in traffic crashes in 2022.
    •  More than 270,000 older adults were treated in emergency rooms for crash injuries.
    •  Drivers age 70 and older have higher crash death rates than middle-aged drivers.
Regular retesting would help identify drivers whose abilities have declined before a serious accident occurs.

2. Cognitive Decline and Aging

Driving is a complex task requiring memory, attention, decision-making, reaction time, and spatial awareness. Aging naturally affects many of these abilities.

Research shows that conditions such as:

    •  Dementia
    •  Alzheimer’s disease
    •  Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)
    •  Parkinson’s disease
    •  Stroke-related impairment
can significantly reduce safe driving ability.

The CDC further notes that age-related declines in:

    •  reasoning,
    •  memory,
    •  vision,
    •  and physical functioning
can impair safe vehicle operation.

 

Routine testing every five (5) years for age seventy (70) and seven (7) years ages twenty five (25) would provide an objective method to evaluate whether a driver remains capable of safely handling real-world driving conditions.

3. Medical Conditions and Medication Risks

Many adults manage chronic medical conditions that may interfere with safe driving, including:

    •  Diabetes
    •  Heart disease
    •  Vision impairment
    •  Sleep disorders
    •  Arthritis
    •  Neurological disorders
Additionally, older adults are more likely to take multiple prescription medications that may cause:

    •  drowsiness,
    •  delayed reaction time,
    •  dizziness,
    •  or confusion.
NHTSA specifically identifies medical conditions and medication effects as major contributors to medically impaired driving among older adults.

Periodic evaluations would help ensure these conditions are appropriately monitored in relation to driving ability.

4. Community Safety

Unsafe driving affects not only the individual driver, but also:

    •  pedestrians,
    •  bicyclists,
    •  passengers,
    •  school children,
    •  and other motorists.
A single preventable accident can permanently alter families and communities.  Communities have a responsibility to ensure roadways remain safe for all users. Retesting requirements would help reduce preventable collisions caused by age-related impairments while reinforcing accountabilities for all drivers regardless of age.

5. Personal Safety 

 

·  Teenagers (16–19): Highly over-represented in crash statistics. According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, while teens make up a small percentage of all licensed drivers, they account for over 8% of total drivers involved in all crashes and nearly 9% of fatal crashes.

·  Young Adults (16–24): This combined bracket accounts for about 23% of all accidents nationally, making them the age group involved in the largest total share of collisions.

·  Adults (25–54): Because this demographic represents the largest segment of licensed drivers and spends the most time commuting, they total the highest absolute volume of collisions and traffic-related injuries.

·  Senior Drivers (70+): While safer drivers on average, accident and fatality rates begin to climb steadily again for drivers over the age of 75. Drivers 80 and older have the highest driver fatality rates.

This proposal is therefore also a measure designed to protect senior drivers themselves. Early identification of unsafe driving conditions can prevent devastating injuries and preserve dignity through proactive planning.

Supporting Statistics

Key national statistics supporting this proposal include:

    •  Over 52 million licensed drivers in the U.S. are age 65 or older.
    •  Fatal crashes involving older drivers increased from 11% of all fatal crashes in 2001 to 19% in 2021.
    •  Drivers ages 70+ experience elevated fatality rates due to age-related fragility and impairment risk.
    •  The senior population is rapidly increasing, making roadway safety a growing national concern.

 

Addressing Concerns About Age Discrimination

This proposal is based on functional ability rather than stereotypes about aging.  Many adults over the age of seventy (70) remain excellent drivers and would continue driving without issue after passing routine evaluations every five (5) years. The goal is not to remove licenses unfairly, but to establish a consistent safety standard similar to:

 

    •  vision testing,
    •  commercial driver medical certifications,
    •  and pilot licensing requirements.

The proposal recognizes that driving is a privilege tied to public safety responsibilities.

 

Additional Recommendations

To support implementation, the following measures are recommended:

 

    •  Expand transportation alternatives 
    •  Provide affordable driver refresher courses
    •  Offer medical reporting guidance for physicians, currently this is voluntary
    •  Allow restricted licenses for daytime/local driving when appropriate
    •  Develop community mobility assistance programs

These measures would help maintain independence while improving overall roadway safety.

Conclusion

As the American population ages, ensuring roadway safety becomes increasingly important. Mandatory 
driving evaluations every seven (7) years beginning at age twenty five (25) and every five years (5) beginning at age seventy (70) would provide a balanced and reasonable approach to protecting:
    •  senior drivers,
    •  passengers,
    •  families,
    •  and the public.
The proposal acknowledges the realities of cognitive decline, medical conditions, and age-related impairment while respecting the independence of older adults who remain capable drivers.  Regular retesting is a proactive public safety measure designed not to punish aging drivers, but to
ensure that everyone sharing the road can do so safely and responsibly.