The decision to alter that connection could backfire and hurt both the patient and physician. Few would disagree that having an impaired person behind the steering wheel of a car is dangerous. A driver who can't react appropriately to changing highway conditions and traffic situations, who is confused by signs or who drives under the influence of drugs or alcohol is not someone who needs to be on the road. But it is wrong to make doctors squeal on their ill patients. Instead, it is up to individual state governments to find appropriate ways to ferret out drivers who shouldn't be on the highway, whatever their age.
States currently recheck eyesight on a regular basis.
Drivers with an unusual number of traffic violations or accidents are often put on probation or have their license suspended. A driver's eyesight, motor skills and memory often deteriorate with age. States should do a more thorough job of testing when licenses are renewed, particularly among elderly drivers. Those who complain that this amounts to age discrimination should be reminded that age limits determine when young people can first drive. The AMA's position is probably well-intentioned, but the results could be unintended.