Driving Tests Proposed for Seniors

Dear Traffic Talk:

Recently, I caught the tail end of a story on local TV news regarding senior citizens (over 70) taking an actual driving test in addition to the written test.

This bill was introduced by state Sen. Tom Hayden (D-Los Angeles). I really would like to know the outcome of this bill as it would affect me.

I believe this bill is discriminatory since it is directed at seniors 70 and above. On the other hand, it is a good idea since it might save some lives due to obvious reasons.

--Nathanial T. Ono

Sun Valley

Dear Nathanial:

The bill, SB 335, will be voted on by the state Legislature in mid-August, said Bill Gengler, a spokesman for the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Currently, 70-year-olds must take eye and written tests to renew their driver’s licenses.

The proposed law would require California motorists age 75 and older to also pass a behind-the-wheel test. The term of the license renewal would shrink from four years to one as the driver’s age increases, Gengler said.

The law would also prohibit the issuance of a license to anyone whose best correct vision is 20/200 or worse in the better eye, as verified by an eye specialist. The use of bioptic telescopic lenses to aid magnification would be banned, he said.

In addition, family members may request a driving exam for relatives over the age of 75, he said.

Hayden introduced the bill after grieving father Mark Mitock told him of watching his 15-year-old daughter, Brandi, being run over and killed in a Santa Monica crosswalk. The 96-year-old driver didn’t realize he had hit somebody, Gengler said.

Of California’s 20.7 million licensed drivers, about 955,000 are 75 or older, he said.

Dear Traffic Talk:

Apparently someone in the sign department at Caltrans or a mischievous individual at the Department of Airports has their directions to Burbank Airport screwed up.

Exiting from eastbound 134 Freeway at Pass Avenue, drivers should make a left turn toward the airport. But a sign at the top of the exit ramp reads “AIRPORT” with an arrow pointing to the right.

This is somewhat confusing, to put it mildly, unless you’ve been to the airport before.

--Leo Weilmann

Woodland Hills

Dear Leo:

The problem has been reported to the Caltrans traffic engineers, said Presley Burroughs, a Caltrans spokesman. A new sign should be up in about two months.

Dear Traffic Talk:

The signal at Vanowen Street and Woodlake Avenue in West Hills seems to favor longer drive time to Woodlake, and much too little to the heavily traveled traffic on Vanowen.

Many times there are dozens of waiting cars on Vanowen and none coming from Woodlake, which is a dead-end street coming from the north end. Can this signal be reevaluated?

--Bernie Cantos

West Hills

Dear Bernie:

Every 25 seconds, the traffic signal turns green for traffic on Woodlake Avenue as a way to reduce the number of speeding cars on Vanowen Street, said Brian Gallagher, a traffic signal engineer for the Los Angeles Department of Transportation.

In response to your request, the signals will still favor Woodlake Avenue, but less often and for shorter periods, Gallagher said.

The vehicle detectors and pedestrian push-button signals installed before the speeding problem arose will be used to provide additional green time for Woodlake Avenue when there is demand for it, he said.

“This should help traffic on Vanowen Street to get through the intersection more quickly, but still provide some sense of speed control,” Gallagher said.