(CAPITOL CITY NOW) – New bipartisan legislation aims to modernize Illinois’ senior driving requirements and allows family members to report unsafe drivers. The proposed Road Safety & Fairness Act – House Bill 1226 – would increase the age at which seniors must first take a road exam from 79 to 87 and establish a new process allowing immediate family members to report potentially unsafe drivers.

The bill is sponsored by State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) and State Representative Jay Hoffman (D-Belleville). Illinois is currently the only state that requires a behind-the-wheel driving test for seniors based on age and is one of only five states that do not allow immediate family members to report concerns about a relative’s driving ability, according to Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias.

At a press conference on Tuesday, Giannoulias emphasized that “age alone does not necessarily determine if someone should or should not have a driver’s license.” He described the current policy as age discrimination and argued that driving ability and medical health should serve as the main determining factors.

Another aspect of the bill would allow people to report a family member if they have a condition that is affecting their ability and making them an unsafe driver. Currently, if someone calls the DMV to report their family member lacks the ability to drive safely, there is nothing the Secretary of State’s office can do, according to Giannoulias. “It would take a crash or some type of incident involving the police to start the process of canceling a license based on a medical condition.”

If passed, the legislation would make Illinois law more consistent with other states. Giannoulias pointed to crash rates for seniors aged 75 and older, noting that Illinois Department of Transportation statistics show that drivers in this age group are the safest of all age ranges, with the lowest number of incidents. He added that some seniors often drive shorter distances, and many choose to drive only during the day. AARP Illinois is a key supporter of the bill.

Under the current law, Giannoulias said Illinois drivers aged 79 or 80 with an expired license must take a road test. From age 81 to 86, the road test is required every two years, and every year starting at age 87. HB 1226 would push the start of required testing to age 87. Starting at 87, an Illinois driver would need to make an in-person visit to the DMV each year and take a driving test.

The legislation received its first reading in the House late last week and was referred to the House Rules Committee.