Support SB 847 for mandatory safety testing for older drivers in Michigan
The Issue
Last Tuesday at 2:59 p.m., our family faced an unimaginable tragedy that could have been prevented. Our beloved Tanner Schmidt was taken from us in a horrific accident caused by an older driver. It breaks my heart to relive that day, knowing that with the right legislation in place, Tanner might still be with us today.
Michigan, like many states, lacks mandatory and routine safety testing for older drivers, an oversight that leaves countless families at risk. As our population ages, it is imperative that we ensure the safety of all road users by implementing necessary checks that assess the capability of aging drivers. Senate Bill 847, currently under consideration, offers a solution by establishing such safety tests. This bill can help prevent more tragedies like the one my family experienced and ensure safer roads across Michigan.
Statistics from The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reveal that fatal crash involvement rates per mile traveled begin to increase around age 70 and are highest among drivers 85 and older. These numbers are not mere abstracts; they represent real people’s lives, our loved ones. Statistics show that states with mandatory testing for older drivers tend to have lower rates of accidents involving this demographic.
The proposed SB 847 suggests vision tests, reaction time assessments, and mandatory refresher courses for older drivers, ensuring they possess the necessary skills to continue driving safely. These measures are not about discrimination; they are about safety and about preserving lives.
I am calling upon Senator Hauck, Representative Neyer, and all members of the Michigan legislature to lend your support to SB 847. By doing so, you will be protecting families from experiencing the heartache that mine endures daily.
Please, join me in advocating for this crucial bill. Stand with me in support of safe roads for all Michigan residents. Sign this petition to urge our legislators to prioritize the well-being of our community and to support mandatory safety testing for older drivers. Your signature could save lives.
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The Issue
Last Tuesday at 2:59 p.m., our family faced an unimaginable tragedy that could have been prevented. Our beloved Tanner Schmidt was taken from us in a horrific accident caused by an older driver. It breaks my heart to relive that day, knowing that with the right legislation in place, Tanner might still be with us today.
Michigan, like many states, lacks mandatory and routine safety testing for older drivers, an oversight that leaves countless families at risk. As our population ages, it is imperative that we ensure the safety of all road users by implementing necessary checks that assess the capability of aging drivers. Senate Bill 847, currently under consideration, offers a solution by establishing such safety tests. This bill can help prevent more tragedies like the one my family experienced and ensure safer roads across Michigan.
Statistics from The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reveal that fatal crash involvement rates per mile traveled begin to increase around age 70 and are highest among drivers 85 and older. These numbers are not mere abstracts; they represent real people’s lives, our loved ones. Statistics show that states with mandatory testing for older drivers tend to have lower rates of accidents involving this demographic.
The proposed SB 847 suggests vision tests, reaction time assessments, and mandatory refresher courses for older drivers, ensuring they possess the necessary skills to continue driving safely. These measures are not about discrimination; they are about safety and about preserving lives.
I am calling upon Senator Hauck, Representative Neyer, and all members of the Michigan legislature to lend your support to SB 847. By doing so, you will be protecting families from experiencing the heartache that mine endures daily.
Please, join me in advocating for this crucial bill. Stand with me in support of safe roads for all Michigan residents. Sign this petition to urge our legislators to prioritize the well-being of our community and to support mandatory safety testing for older drivers. Your signature could save lives.
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Petition created on September 17, 2026