State higher than average for fatal senior crashes

Tennessee’s rates of car crash fatalities for those 65 and older are higher than the national average, according to statistics from the Federal Highway Administration.

The state also does not require senior drivers to pass vision or driving tests to renew their licenses.

“We believe it’s a huge public safety issue,” said AAA spokesman Gregg Laskoski. “We are living longer and need to make sure that if we are driving vehicles, we are doing so safely.”

For every 100,000 senior Tennessee drivers, about 24 were involved in a fatal traffic crash in 2004. Crashes deemed fatal include accidents in which the senior driver was killed or caused the death of others. The national rate is 21.

The Tennessee Department of Safety requires all drivers to renew their licenses every five years. Senior drivers do not have to pass vision or driving tests. By contrast, the state’s youngest drivers are under a graduated license system, which restricts their driving privileges and can lead to suspensions for minor infractions, until they reach 18.

Rep. Jim Hackworth, D-Clinton, introduced a bill this past General Assembly session, which asked for senior drivers to have their reaction times and vision checked when renewing their licenses. The bill ? which failed to pass ? was part of a high school program for teens to learn about state government.

Based on the students’ presentations to the House Transportation Committee, senior-related accident rates were higher than teenage rates. Hackworth said the license renewal process for seniors may need more research.

“I think to enforce a policy to force people off the highway may not be appropriate,” he said. “It may be they need to change their glasses or there is therapy to help their reactions.”

Rep. Bill Harmon, D-Dunlap, said he did not support the bill because he believes there are many productive people over age 65.

“Their reactions may not be as quick, but they are not driving 90 mph like the younger people,” said Harmon, 63.

Julie Oaks, spokeswoman for the Tennessee Department of Safety, said drivers are investigated based on the number of citations they receive, regardless of their age.