There are new concerns about elderly drivers after a 79-year-old man turns himself in after police say he hit and killed a bicyclist, then drove away.
In 2008, the deadly crash rate for senior citizens was 3.54 percent. That's higher than teenagers and new drivers. Last year, 42 people were killed in a crash involving a senior citizen. Now many people asking what steps are being taken to ensure elderly drivers are fit for the road.
Margaret Winter is in her 80's, and relies on a walker to get around. However, she says, that doesn't mean she shouldn't be allowed to drive a car.
"I went in there with a cane and she said 'you have to take a drivers test,' and I said I've been driving 55 years," says Winters.
When Margaret went to renew her license a few months ago, a DOT worker told her she would have to take a driving test before she got her license back. Furious, Margaret says it's because she uses a walker.
"I thought it was very unfair. They were very unfriendly."
Margaret is at the DOT today to take the driving test for the third time. She failed the first two. The Department of Transportation says the driving test is just one way they screen the elderly.
"Whether it be a stroke, a broken hip, or things like that, we may want to test driving and see if they are safe to drive. We check reaction times to see how they do in a car," says Kim Snook of the Iowa DOT.
The DOT can also send the elderly to a doctor for an evaluation, or just take their license away.
"It's the most difficult decision we have to make, but something we will make if the need is there and it impacts highway safety," says Snook.
Today, Margaret Winter gets to keep her license. She passed the test.
"Third time is a charm!"
Margaret leaves with a renewed license and freedom to drive for another two years.
"Today the instructor drove me around Ankeny and so I can drive anyplace I want to drive."
In Iowa, seniors are required to renew their license every two years, instead of the normal four. The DOT can also place driving requirements on seniors including no night time driving, and restricting their driving to within a five mile radius of their home.
In 2008, the deadly crash rate for senior citizens was 3.54 percent. That's higher than teenagers and new drivers. Last year, 42 people were killed in a crash involving a senior citizen. Now many people asking what steps are being taken to ensure elderly drivers are fit for the road.
Margaret Winter is in her 80's, and relies on a walker to get around. However, she says, that doesn't mean she shouldn't be allowed to drive a car.
"I went in there with a cane and she said 'you have to take a drivers test,' and I said I've been driving 55 years," says Winters.
When Margaret went to renew her license a few months ago, a DOT worker told her she would have to take a driving test before she got her license back. Furious, Margaret says it's because she uses a walker.
"I thought it was very unfair. They were very unfriendly."
Margaret is at the DOT today to take the driving test for the third time. She failed the first two. The Department of Transportation says the driving test is just one way they screen the elderly.
"Whether it be a stroke, a broken hip, or things like that, we may want to test driving and see if they are safe to drive. We check reaction times to see how they do in a car," says Kim Snook of the Iowa DOT.
The DOT can also send the elderly to a doctor for an evaluation, or just take their license away.
"It's the most difficult decision we have to make, but something we will make if the need is there and it impacts highway safety," says Snook.
Today, Margaret Winter gets to keep her license. She passed the test.
"Third time is a charm!"
Margaret leaves with a renewed license and freedom to drive for another two years.
"Today the instructor drove me around Ankeny and so I can drive anyplace I want to drive."
In Iowa, seniors are required to renew their license every two years, instead of the normal four. The DOT can also place driving requirements on seniors including no night time driving, and restricting their driving to within a five mile radius of their home.
