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Bill Would Change Requirements For Older Drivers

By KRWG News

New Mexico – A New Mexico lawmaker is ready to have a tough conversation with older drivers.

Sen. Peter Wirth, D-Santa Fe, has sponsored a measure under which older drivers would face more monitoring of their driving skills and more frequent license-renewal deadlines.

Currently, everyone older than 75 must renew once a year and pass an annual eye exam.

Under Wirth's proposal, drivers between 75 and 84 would renew every two years. Those between 85 and 89 would renew every year, while drivers who are 90 and older would renew every six months.

The renewals would be free.

Wirth's measure also calls for anyone over 75 to undergo tests of reflexes, reaction times, motor skills and coordination with each license renewal. Drivers over 90 would take eye and reflex tests twice a year.

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Information from: The Santa Fe New Mexican, http://www.sfnewmexican.com

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.