Illinois lawmakers are advancing House Bill 1226, also known as the Road Safety and Fairness Act, a proposal that could significantly impact the state’s older drivers. The bill would raise the age at which annual behind-the-wheel driving tests are required from 79 to 87, a shift affecting approximately 350,000 residents. This change would align Illinois more closely with other states, where older drivers typically face fewer age-based testing requirements.
Advocacy Drives Support for Change
The initiative to revise Illinois’ testing requirements for older drivers has been bolstered by bipartisan support and advocacy from lawmakers and safety groups. Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, whose office oversees driver’s licenses and vehicle registrations, has voiced strong support for the bill, emphasizing that age alone should not dictate a person’s driving ability.
“A birthday is not an accurate gauge of one’s ability to get behind the wheel safely,” Giannoulias stated during a news conference, highlighting the need for a more balanced approach to road safety.
Currently, Illinois stands out as the only state mandating annual road tests for drivers aged 79 and older. Advocates for the bill argue that the existing requirement is both unfair and unnecessary, citing data showing older drivers have lower crash rates compared to other age groups.
Senior Drivers Have Lowest Crash Rates
State statistics reveal that older drivers are among the safest on Illinois roads. In 2023, drivers aged 75 and older had a crash rate of 24.61 per 1,000 drivers—the lowest of any demographic, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation. These trends have remained steady over the past five years. In contrast, crash rates for younger and middle-aged drivers are more than twice as high.
This data played a key role in the decision to raise the age threshold for mandatory testing during the pandemic, from 75 to 79, which was later made permanent. Lawmakers and safety advocates, including State Senator Ram Villivalam, argue that this data-driven approach should guide further reforms.
“They do not appreciate being discriminated against in this way. They do want this barrier removed,” Villivalam said, reflecting concerns expressed by seniors in his district.
Streamlined Renewal and Reporting Procedures
While the proposed bill would eliminate the road test for drivers up to 87, it introduces a tiered system for license renewals to ensure continued safety:
- Drivers aged 79–80 would renew in person every four years.
- Drivers aged 81–86 would renew in person every two years.
- Drivers aged 87 and older would renew annually in person.
A vision test would remain mandatory for all age groups.
In addition, the legislation would address family concerns about unsafe driving. Illinois is currently one of only five states that prohibits immediate family members from formally raising concerns about a relative’s driving.
The new policy, supported by AARP Illinois, would create a formal process for family members to report unsafe drivers, aiming to improve road safety without undue burdens on older adults.
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