Elderly motorists should be given driving tests

First, I would like to express my deepest condolences to Dr. Glenn Garvin's family, friends and associates.

Unfortunately, as an avid cyclist myself, this incident brings to the surface a serious problem in our state, and one I face almost daily, the issue of elderly drivers.

I am sure the driver of this car is a very nice woman, and feels awful. I certainly do not mean this in a personal manner, but this clearly makes me suspicious about her driving skills.

Sadly the legislators of this state are afraid to tackle this matter. We have recently banned cellphones in cars, we prohibit those impaired by drugs or alcohol from driving, and we revoke the licenses of those with certain medical disorders.

Why then are they afraid to tackle this issue? Even in the name of safety, they are clearly afraid of alienating a block of voters. As for the AARP, and the various senior citizen lobbyist groups, what are you afraid of?

Why do you and the powers that be ignore basic biology? No one would advocate giving a driver's license to an 11-year-old whose motor skills have not yet fully developed, so why are these politicians afraid of implementing regulations that would test the possibly diminishing motor skills of our senior citizens?

How many more of these incidents (Santa Monica Farmers' Market, etc.) must take place before common sense prevails and practical laws are put in place? Daniel Martens Newbury Park