DeKalb Times

State Representative Jeff Keicher (R-Sycamore) has introduced House Bill 4431 in the Illinois General Assembly to eliminate a burdensome requirement for drivers aged 75 and older. Currently, Illinois is the only state in the nation that mandates senior citizens to retake a driving test when renewing their driver's license. Rep. Keicher's legislation aims to put an end to this practice.

According to Rep. Keicher, there is a misconception that senior drivers are more prone to accidents. However, data from the National Safety Council contradicts this belief. Drivers aged 75 and older are actually involved in fewer fatal crashes compared to any other age group. Rep. Keicher stated, "It is past time that we fix this onerous hurdle we put in front of seniors in Illinois, and I'm happy to carry legislation to get it done."

The most recent data from the National Safety Council reveals that in 2021, drivers aged 75 and older were involved in only 3,263 fatal crashes. This number is significantly lower than the next closest age bracket and far less than the 13,200 fatal crashes involving drivers aged 25 to 34, which is the age group with the highest fatal crash rate.

To address this issue, Rep. Keicher's HB 4431 proposes amending the Illinois Vehicle Code for individuals aged 75 and above. The legislation seeks to eliminate the requirement for "an actual demonstration of the applicant's ability to exercise ordinary and reasonable control of the operation of a motor vehicle."

Rep. Keicher represents the 70th District, which includes parts of DeKalb, Kane, and McHenry Counties. He aims to bring an end to Illinois' unique status as the only state that mandates senior citizens to retake the driving test. By eliminating this requirement, Rep. Keicher's legislation seeks to alleviate the burden placed on older drivers and promote fair treatment for all individuals seeking to renew their driver's license.

For more information about House Bill 4431, please click here.