L.A. says the state should lay off the elderly drivers

This Split Decision revs for the Golden Girls of Franklin St., George and Betty in Florence, plus, 99-year old Hamilton resident, Vince Bonfanti.

Keep on truckin’. Neither your daddy nor state laws will take your TBird or driver’s license away if it’s left up to me.

No retests either unless you start trading paint with mail boxes like a testosterone junkie NASCAR driver.

Once a person earns driving credentials then only extreme circumstances should disqualify them from holding onto the wheel.

Of course, state officials should have the right for intervention, although elderly driving privileges should be determined by family members and physicians.

A 2016 Department of Transportation report estimated 218 million licensed U.S. drivers with about 42 million ages 65 years or older.

By the way, it’s young people who struggle with driving.

A Centers for Disease Control report noted “the risk of motor vehicle crashes is higher among 16-19-year-olds than among any other age group. In fact, per mile driven, teen drivers ages 16 to 19 are nearly three times more likely than drivers aged 20 and older to be in a fatal crash.”

Plus, senior drivers generally do not text, use cellphones nor engage in other distracted driving behaviors.

Senior drivers are 10 and 2 motorists who act as driving instructors when passengers in other vehicles.

No doubt their reflex times diminish as they mature but most elderly drivers adjust speeds and operate cars during self-determined safe times.

However, imagine that you’re, say, 85 with no license. You may have to start making friendships with 65-year-old whipper snappers who blast music by Guns N’ Roses or hop to Heavy D & the Boyz.

A total of 4,366 people ages 70 and older died in motor vehicle crashes in 2015.

New Jersey is not among the 33 states that require special reviews for elderly drivers after they reach 70.

The Motor Vehicle Commission handles elderly driving issues on a case-by-case basis.

How about a ride to Wildwood Armida and Ann?

What do you think about a road trip to Atlantic City for a round of golf, Vince Bonfanti?

You guys drive.

Ride on!

DAMIAN DOVARGANES — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO Jack Wyrad, 92, reverses his GM Buick in Los Angeles. Wyard, who got a perfect score on his written test for his license two years ago, says he believes older people should make their own decisions on when to quit driving.