February 8, 2008 Gov. Patrick supports vision, road tests for older drivers Play video

(NECN) - Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick wants elderly drivers to take road tests. Patrick tells WTKK-FM radio that he supports legislation requiring vision and road tests, but still isn't sure at what age they should be mandated.

His comments come two days after a deadly accident involving an 86-year-old driver and a second-grader in Randolph, Massachusetts.

"There are really great and able seniors and people of the same age who are not as able," Patrick said. "I think they would say, and AARP would say, that safety comes first."

Deborah Banda, Massachusetts director for AARP said it's arbitrary to pick a specific age and then start testing drivers again. She said some drivers at age 80 are better than some 40-year-old drivers.

Banda said the state should instead test drivers at regular intervals throughout their lives - but only after adopting better tests to determine response times and peripheral vision.

A current proposal on Beacon Hill would require anyone 85 or older to pass the tests.

NECN reporter Stephen Iandoli has the story.