By Kurt Austermann

It's way past time to revise Oregon's motor vehicle laws as they pertain to us older motorists. Just 20 states have short-cycle renewals requiring in-person driver's license exams after one attains a specified age. And most of these 20 states do not require either written or driving retesting for these individuals.

Only New Hampshire and Illinois require renewal applicants 75 years of age and older to take an annual road test. California requires motorists over 70 to appear in person and complete both the written test and eye exam. If the California DMV feels it is necessary, a road test could be required as well.

Three years ago last June, my wife, Valerie, was severely injured when she was struck by a van driven by a 92-year-old man. The state of Oregon failed to take away his license, because Oregon has no motor vehicle law that could have prevented this horrific accident. At age 91, this driver was issued an eight-year renewal of his driver's license despite rather obvious physical impairments, including the affixing of vise grips to the brake pedal in order to find the pedal with his foot.

The driver admitted to police he was in the wrong lane of traffic when his vehicle struck Valerie in a Medford shopping center parking lot. The accident occurred four days after her birthday and four days prior to our 42nd wedding anniversary, changing our retirement lives and plans forever.

It has been three years now since my wife's accident. In an accident near Portland, a mother and child were killed when a 90-year-old driver drove several yards on a sidewalk. Just two incidents that readily come to mind. The Legislature has been in session twice since June 2003, and this issue has not constituted even a blip on its radar.

Thanks to the Medford Police Department's diligence, the driver involved in my wife's accident was summoned to municipal court, found guilty of careless driving and fined $400. But unless the family took away the man's license, keys and vehicle after his conviction, there was no mandate for Oregon's Department of Motor Vehicles to do anything.

As a result of legislative inaction, there continue to be people in Oregon who suffer needlessly because of careless, negligent and impaired drivers. One can only imagine the body count is of the same proportion in other states.

Thanks to the Medford Fire Department and ambulance emergency medical technicians, a skilled neurosurgeon, and absolutely splendid local hospital and rehab facility specialists, my wife's life was saved, but to this day she requires 24-hour care and attention.

After recovering from a coma and paralysis, my wife can walk and perform some activities. However, she can no longer drive, although she yearns to do so. She can no longer cook fabulous meals, because it would be unsafe for her to do so. She can no longer come and go freely and participate in her many civic activities without assistance. Even intrastate travel is arduous.

I would not presume to know at what age motorists should be retested; that's a number best left to experts, but older motorists comprise one of two population segments with the highest serious accident rate. And even as I continue on a fast track to age 70, I most certainly would support in-person written tests and eye exams for anyone over 70, such as California requires.

The Oregon Legislature next January has an opportunity to save lives by requiring mandatory retesting of older motorists' driving ability. Please join me in contacting our state senators and representatives asking them to sponsor and support legislation to make our roadways safer.

Kurt Austermann, 69, is a retired government public affairs specialist and former journalist who lives in Medford.