Bill would ease driver’s license restrictions on S.C. seniors

A House panel approved a bill Wednesday that would allow South Carolinians 65 and older to get driver’s licenses every 10 years instead of every five years.

“Some have called it age discrimination,” said state Rep. Mike Forrester, R-Spartanburg, who sponsored the bill.

S.C. Department of Motor Vehicles director Kevin Shwedo said there is no reason to restrict older drivers.

Accident rates go down as drivers age, he said, adding the highest accident rate is among from young drivers, ages 16 to 25.

“It’s emotional, and not backed up by fact,” Shwedo said of restricting older drivers. “We ought to be hammering on the young ones before we start beating on the old ones.”

The bill moved forward Wednesday also would end a state law requiring all drivers with licenses lasting 10 years to get a vision screening after five years.

Violators are supposed to receive a $50 fine. However, the law has not been enforced in recent years.

Shwedo said he wants to end the rule, adding he has no evidence that the five-year eye exams reduce accidents.

But a major auto group disagrees with changing the laws.

“You’re taking another safety check away from the state,” said Steve Phillips, traffic safety manager at AAA Carolinas.

Most people need to get their eyes checked every two years, he said. “Ten years is too long.”

Andrew Shain - The State

This story was originally published April 16, 2015 at 4:40 AM with the headline "Bill would ease driver’s license restrictions on S.C. seniors."