Why 10 years? If your job involves working with dangerous chemicals, heavy machinery, high places etc, your employer usually requires you to take a course and a test every 3 years. In some cases, every year. A 10 year cycle would be silly. Looking at the numbers, cars are really dangerous.

The real answer is a LOT more good, efficient, and affordable public transit options.

I fully agree but I think we actually do need to take the independence of seniors seriously too. No they shouldn’t be driving but for many there are no good or affordable alternatives. I don’t like the idea of nana and pawpaw rotting away at home waiting for visitors when they had a normal social life. If this is implemented free or low cost public transportation or shuttles should be provided for anyone over say 65.

I just wish we had functional public transport.

I upvoted because this IS an unpopular opinion (outside of this bubble)

I agree with the premise but can guarantee I would hate the outcome

With how many psychopaths have licenses - why do we think an even more bloated system is really gonna “catch em all”

…

But not to argue - please carry on

I don't think this opinion is as unpopular as you expect. Especially post COVID where everyone clearly forgot the little driving skill they did have.

This is not unpopular. But guess what demographic consistently votes? That's right, older people. They're not going to give themselves less freedom and independence...

The mistake is applying it only to older people. We’re so used to expecting facilities to decline and not pay attention to seniors limiting themselves but most importantly ignoring the injuries and deaths caused by poor drivers of all ages.

Post-Covid traffic was a real eye opener as so many people seem to have forgotten how to drive. It appears to be back to normal finally but as a frequent pedestrian, I am endangered almost every turn, despite staying on sidewalks and crosswalks and using crossing signals, and living in a place where drivers are better than most and there are few stroads. There’s always someone blowing through a light or ignoring the crossing signal or “stretching” the red, or blasting through a right in red (despite the law saying “after a complete stop”) or driving through the crosswalk, and pedestrians are in danger every time.

Drivers suck. Test them all. Fail those whose bad habits endanger other road users, and make them take remedial driver training.

I feel like this is one of those things that I can agree to on paper but I can’t support because I feel like it would disproportionately impact those that are already struggling to get by.

I agree. It's not that your driving skills might be lost over time, it's to refresh everyone on laws and regulations. It would also catch people who have had cognitive decline and should not be driving.

I am nearing 70 and I have 2 cataracts. I am voluntarily taking myself off the road as I don’t feel right. Selling our vehicle at end of month. I will not be one of those old farts that crashes into people for my own convenience. It sucks but it’s the right thing to do.

I think you're making an assumption that isn't true:

https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/motor-vehicle/overview/age-of-driver/

Sometimes when I'm driving home I pretend I'm doing a driving exam and see how far I can get before I fail, and I always seem to fail. My muscle memory for all the discouraged minutae is so strong.

Yeah this is a good idea. I think I can trust my kids to tell me when I get dangerous driving, they did tell both their grandmas.

Not sure why we don't, maybe cost? I took my driver's test 40 years ago, any other license you hold that long requires continuing education.

I just want to not have to drive

Do it when you get your colonoscopies. A little propofol, a little road test… have fun with it.

Sure, why not. Make it a 20min exam at something like 30 bucks and it'll improve road safety for everyone at a manageable cost for the individual. I mean I'm paying way more for the repairs, insurance, gasoline... Also spend way more time in some traffic jams. Guess I could do it every few years or so...

Edit: And go ahead and ask them some questions as well. Like: You're in a traffic jam. What do you do? a) change lines 200 times -- b) do something useful.

And take away their permit do go downtown or drive while rush hour if they're bad drivers.

At least teach people the new rules.

In france bicycles are allowed to go the wrong way in 30-Zones. For example.

Adding more friction to driving might yield better transit options. Let's do it.