MINNEAPOLIS, July 24, 2007 — The MMA Board of Trustees declined to approve resolutions suggesting more stringent testing for older drivers.

The rejected resolution called for drivers 70 years and older to renew their drivers licenses in person and not by mail, and that drivers 75 and older be required to take a driving test every third year, and that drivers 80 or older prove their competency to drive with annual driving tests.

Age alone. according to the Minnesota DVS, does not make an individual "at risk." The Minnesota Department of Vehicle Services informed the Board that provisions are already in place for reporting "at-risk" drivers and "unsafe" drivers.

If family members, colleagues, or physicians are concerned that a patient family member, friend, or patient can no longer safely drive, they can request an evaluation of the at-risk driver. Persons who are related to the driver may retain confidentiality and the evaluator will not reveal their identity unless ordered to do so by a judge. Instructions for the request are available here.

On behalf of the Public Health and Preventive Medicine Committee, committee chair Edward Ehlinger, M.D., requested that the board not adopt the resolutions, but that the MMA instead work with DVS to better educate physicians on how to report at-risk drivers, and how to counsel elderly or impaired drivers on the wisdom of not driving any more.

The Board also dealt with the issue of driver drowsiness, and voted to change the language of a previous resolution to support the education of healthcare employers and employees about the danger of driving when sleep-deprived. This resolution will be considered by the MMA's House of Delegates.