A family in Ellicott City, Maryland has issues with a recently proposed bill that would increase the time between mandatory license renewals. This means that all Maryland drivers, even elderly ones, will have their competency behind the wheel examined less frequently, arguably making them more of a liability on the roads.

The family has good reason to argue against the bill as one year ago, their son was involved in an auto accident with an elderly driver, and died as a result. Their son, who was a student at Johns Hopkins, was struck by an 84-year-old woman while he was riding his bicycle on West University Parkway. He died as a result of the injuries he sustained in the crash.

The elderly woman pleaded guilty to negligent driving and failure to yield the right-of-way to the man, who was safely operating in a bike lane. The woman was hardly held responsible, slapped on the wrist with a fine and served no jail time. The victim's family can't help but think that by testing drivers in Maryland more often, it would sort out unsafe drivers, like the one that killed their loved one.

However, a member of the Motor Vehicle Administration said the state is already taking sufficient measures to ensure the safety of drivers out on the roads. He also expressed sympathy for the victim and his family.

As of now, motorists over the age of 21 must receive a basic eye, a general driving, exam every five years. The proposed bill would extend that period to every eight years. The member of the Motor Vehicle Administration said such measures have been taken in places like New York and Florida and risk on the roads has not increased.

Maryland, with its graduated licensing program, has made strides to ensure the safety of the state's younger drivers, but does it do enough for elderly drivers?

Source: Ellicott City Patch, "Family of Ellicott City student killed in crash speaks out," Adam Bednar, Feb. 1, 2012