Res. No. 480
Title
Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, A.6853/S.3638, legislation that would require drivers to submit proof of being medically fit to operate a motor vehicle upon their seventh application submission; and further calling upon the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles to require drivers over 80 years of age to pass a vision test every two years.
Body
By Council Member Holden
Whereas, On June 25, 2018, Madeline Sershen, a 17 year-old high school student in Queens was killed when an 88-year-old driver ran a red light at the intersection of Utopia Parkway and 16th Avenue in Whitestone; and
Whereas, Ms. Sershen's tragic death has spurred her family and the community at large to advocate for the way New York State assesses its senior drivers with more than 21,000 people signing an online petition urging New York State to introduce retesting every 2 years once a driver turns 80; and
Whereas, According to the Federal Highway Administration, there were more than 221 million licensed drivers in United States in 2016, including approximately 42 million who are aged 65 and older; and
Whereas, Data obtained from the New York State Open Data Portal reveals that there are approximately 11.7 million licensed drivers in New York State, including roughly 2.7 million drivers 65 years of age or older; and
Whereas, The national automobile membership organization AAA reports that by 2030, 85 to 90 percent % of the 70 million Americans older than 65 are projected to have driver's licenses, a substantial increase from the 33 million that was reported in 2009; and
Whereas, AAA also said that while seniors are safe drivers compared to other age groups, they are more likely to be injured or killed in traffic crashes due to age-related vulnerabilities; and
Whereas, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that fatal crash rates increase starting at...
Click here for full text