Penalised for being an older driver

The Editor,

I recently turned 85 and Service NSW offered me two options regarding my ability to continue to drive on the roads – a 15-kilometre limit radius in which I can drive, or to do a repeat test in two years.

Initially I booked, resentfully, to do their testing as I maintain my daughter and husband’s headstones in Wellington. I live some distance from Wellington and Dubbo.

I then realised that doing their test immediately implied that I thought my driving was poor, yet it is not – I have driven since I was 18 and my record speaks for me with the only slur being a parking infringement a few years ago while I was doing voluntary work for a charity.

Since no good deed goes unpunished, I paid the $160 fine.

Likewise, people who live in a village such as Geurie are outside the 15-kilometre radius for either Dubbo or Wellington, all of whom live in the same Local Government Area.

Those people who live in Stuart Town would be outside the 15-kilometre radius so unable to travel either to Wellington or Orange, so how many others will be caught in this – people who live in villages or on properties?

Why do we accept discrimination as our reward for the tough years we’ve endured while these bureaucrats who make these rules sit in airconditioned comfort on the shoulders of the aged.

I am gutted. Only two forms should be needed for the elderly to renew their driver licenses – your driving record and your medical record.

Name withheld. Dubbo Photo News has spoken to the person who wrote this letter and accepts there are valid reasons for personal details to remain private.