DMV tests are a knee-jerk reaction

Re “DMV tests a tough new test,” Sept. 30

As a senior driver and a mathematician, I question the apparent lack of objective analysis in the proposed new DMV tests as they relate to senior drivers.

This is clearly a knee-jerk reaction to an isolated incident that occurred several years ago, and it ignores the statistics, given in your article, showing that drivers older than 70 are less accident-prone than other age groups.

I suggest that the DMV also consider other relevant statistics such as DUI convictions, the number of accidents involving death or serious injury and, as an objective assessment of risk, the premiums that insurance companies charge drivers of various age groups.

I would be surprised if these statistics do not also confirm that senior drivers are among the least risky.

An objective analysis of statistical data rather than political grandstanding should be employed to determine DMV policy.

Sam Blackman

Westchester

Your article notes that licenses can only be revoked if a driver fails the road test. That is technically true, but drivers also face “suspension” or “withdrawal” of a license for failure to pass vision or written tests. The outcome is the same: You cannot drive. So while seniors and others may not be able to do much about the enhanced vision testing that is imminent, all would be well-advised to study the DMV’s California Driver Handbook. It is updated annually and free online or at any DMV field office.

Rock O. Kendall

Laguna Niguel