“You are never going to guess what I just did?” said my father when I called him to wish him a happy birthday.
I must admit I was afraid to hear what he was going to say, had he finally figured out how to turn on the laptop, did he find the xxx sites, was he flirting with young girls online, did he find the online gambling sites? Nope, no notta! My father renewed his driver’s license online!
One might think hey, this is great, renew online save time, no lines, save tax dollars by not having to have so many employees on staff at the DMV.
Having a license to drive is a status symbol and I am not talking about just for your average red blooded 16 year old! I honestly can’t recall the last time dad drove. He is currently happy to have the license as a security blanket that he keeps tucked away safely in his wallet. Having the license gives him peace of mind. Knowing he has it keeps me up at night.
Here is the real kicker, my father lives in an armchair. He sleeps in the chair, he eats in the chair, and he rarely leaves the chair. He can maybe walk 10 – 20 steps before tiring. Dad is on oxygen full time, smokes while it’s on. If he starts coughing, and hacking and coughing stuff up he can’t even sit up straight.
I am not opposed to elderly drivers I myself am approaching those golden years. It seems like there are many reasons why some people should not drive.
If I take away my fathers car he can call a cab, go to a car lot and buy a new one! He has a good credit and he has a valid license, what’s to stop him???
Is driving a right? Should we be allowed to drive until we kill someone? Should everyone take a driving test every 5 years? Sure it would be a hassle but I wonder how many people between the ages of 25-50 would pass the test. Would you?
