Illinois lawmakers have unanimously approved a new bill that could affect older drivers aged 79 to 87 years old. According to the new law passed, instead of requiring annual behind-the-wheel tests starting at age 79, seniors in Illinois can renew their driver’s licenses without a road exam until age 87. The legislation is firmly advocated by the Secretary of State, Alexi Giannoulias. The bill that states seniors won’t need an exam to get a driver’s license is being passed to reduce any unnecessary burdens on the state’s safest drivers.
Moving towards a data-backed legislative decision
The Illinois House passed House Bill 1226 with a 114-0 vote in support of modernizing how the state handles older drivers. As stated by the previous law, anyone aged 79 and older had to take a driving test in person every year to renew their license. As per the new measure, seniors will have to renew their license in person but won’t be required to do the road tests yearly until they turn 87.
Secretary Giannoulias said that this necessary change was long overdue and was backed by research. “Study after study indicates that senior drivers are the safest among us,” said State Representative Jay Hoffman (D-Swansea), who sponsored the bill. “There’s no need for this onerous test to be administered when you are a senior.”
Representative Jeff Keicher (R-Sycamore), who assisted with introducing the bill, stated the legislation followed the increasing concerns about the annual driver’s test for the elderly being a form of age-based discrimination. With research supporting the need to do away with the archaic law, it seems as if Illinois will no longer be unfairly singling out older adults. “This bill goes part of the way toward resolving that,” Keicher said.
Striking a balance between safety and freedom
Although the bill adequately eases the burden on aging drivers, it does incorporate important safeguarding rules. Seniors will still have to arrive in person at a Secretary of State facility to renew their licenses. As per the new bill, family members who feel concerned about their elderly parents or relatives’ safety when driving can report any concerns directly to the agency.
It is important to have these safety rules in place for cases where elderly drivers have medical conditions such as dementia or impaired vision that cannot be spotted immediately during their routine license renewals but could still be hazardous for driving. The Secretary of State’s office can still evaluate and restrict a driver’s license based on submitted concerns.
What must seniors and families note about this new rule?
As per House Bill 1226 in the Illinois General Assembly, road testing is not required until the age of 87. However, citizens aged 79 and up will still be required to attend in-person license renewals. Families are able to submit any concerns about an elderly’s unsafe driving practices to the Secretary of State.
Illinois has now officially joined several states that are re-evaluating how they regulate older drivers and imposing new rules about driving and driver’s licenses. Slow drivers in the state of Louisiana may be getting fines for driving too.
What are experts saying?
According to experts, the new legislation works to reduce anxiety for senior citizens who have to worry about losing their driving privileges yearly. By increasing the road test requirement to age 87, the state acknowledges that older adults cannot be penalized simply for reaching a certain birthday, especially when evidence suggests they are the most cautious drivers on the road.
While the bill moves toward final procedural steps, Illinois seniors can look forward to a less stressful license renewal process with eight more years before the mandatory exams start. While Illinois is making driving rules less stressful for older citizens, new drivers are having it harder in New Jersey.
