Older Drivers

Doreen Blair of Laguna Hills (Letters, Dec. 21, “Statistics Make a Case for the Older Driver”) writes that the retesting of elderly drivers after an accident appears to be unwarranted discrimination solely on the basis of age. I applaud that retesting requirement and, in fact, wish that the testing requirements for elderly drivers were more stringent.

My 21-year-old nephew was killed by a 74-year-old woman in July, 1984. He was walking on the shoulder of Pacific Coast Highway toward his car. The 74-year-old woman swerved from the center lane to the shoulder for no apparent reason and killed him.

This loss to our family has been horrendous and the ensuing time has not lessened our grief and pain.

The 74-year-old woman was not arrested. Nor did she face any legal repercussions from her act. Blair cries discrimination toward the elderly; however, my family and I wonder--if the situation would have been reversed, if my 21-year-old nephew had killed the 74-year-old woman--would he have been let off scot-free?

ALEXANDRA BARR

Simi Valley