Stricter Rules For Older Drivers In Texas

TYLER - Monday night's christmas parade accident in Overton, involved an 83-year-old driver.

While authorities have not yet said the cause of the crash, experts say as drivers get older they face additional challenges on the road.

Under a Texas law passed on September 1st of last year, drivers 79-years and older must have their vision tested before they can get, or renew their license.

Texas Department Of Public Safety trooper Jean Dark says,"Vision test is what is primarily tested, but if there's anything that leads the examiner to believe that a skills test would be more applicable, then they could do that as well, but it is not necessarily a requirement."

When asked if there's an age limit law that would prevent a driver in their 90's or older from having the freedom and independence to drive, trooper Dark said there isn't a law.

"If they're able to pass the vision test, and they have no other disabilities or anything that would cause them to not be able to pass a skills test".