Not all senior drivers are dangerous on the road...not by a long
shot. However, there are drivers, both young and old, who
shouldn't be endangering others on the roads. How do you get an
elderly driver off the road if they won't stop driving
voluntarily?
The Texas Department of Transportation doesn't exactly make this
information easy to find, but it is there on the TXDOT website.
Remember that when a government agency says that they take action
"immediately" to evaluate an individual's driving ability, your
understanding of the word "immediate" and theirs may differ. If
your senior is a dangerous driver, do make a report right away
using this form and continue to do whatever you can to help him or her find
alternative transportation.
From the
TXDOT Senior Drivers website
THE DOT REEXAMINATION:
A DOT reexamination is when a person’s driving skills must be
reevaluated based on one or more factors, including the driver’s
physical or mental condition, or driving record. A DOT
reexamination may be recommended by a family member, physical or
emergency medical technician, or peace officer. Other times,
information in your license renewal application or on your driving
record may prompt a reexamination. Incompetent drivers can be
reported, even anonymously if you wish.
The reexamination involves the immediate evaluation of an
individual by a DOT Driver Safety hearing officer. It consists of
an interview, and may also involve a vision test, a written test,
and/or a driving test. To prepare for the test, many older drivers
choose to enroll in a driver’s education program or driving school
for seniors to brush up their skills. Following the reexamination,
the hearing officer will decide whether any action should be taken
regarding your driving privilege, such as restrictions, probation,
suspension or revocation.
From the
TXDOT Driver Licensing page:
A Texas driver may be reported to the Medical Advisory Board by
physicians, family, friends, acquaintances, driver license field
personnel, anonymously or by admission of a possible health
condition that may interfere with the safe operation of a motor
vehicle upon application or renewal for a Texas driver license.
Family, friends and anonymous reports will be investigated by
field personnel first. These reports may be kept confidential,
unless the subject requests the document through an open records
request. All records are subject to becoming open records if the
person requests an administrative hearing.
If you wish to report a possible medical condition of a Texas
driver, you must be able to identify the Texas driver with full
name and date of birth or Texas driver license number. Please send
your written concern to the Texas Department of Public Safety, PO
Box 4087, Austin, TX 78773-0320, Attention: Driver Improvement and
Compliance Bureau. Note: Verbal notification is not sufficient
information for the Department to take action.
Again, here is the
TxDOT form for
requesting reevaluation of a driver. Please, for the safety of
both the impaired driver and those on the road with him or her,
don't hesitate to use this means to have a driver called in for
testing.
|
|
