Senator Brian A. Joyce

Welcome back Dennis and Callahan joining us on the AT&T -- TNT you -- world -- senator Brian -- the Democrat from -- good morning senator how are you today. I know you the hope but do you think that this tragic death of a four year old -- power. Some of your peers up on the hill to grow a pair in the next few days senator and support the bill requiring elderly drivers to take periodic protests.

Well say a couple of get scored just decided if Oprah didn't taking any tragedy to bring mr. action but it appears that's exactly which happen.

Movement and you think gap that will change up on the hill today.

I do at a public pressure such as this dovish mr. pretty -- will help make it happen and just tell people that -- is really crazy take wrote to -- its sixteenth and aft and then never again so right now or allowing people to read their driver's licenses which happens every five years. By mail every at a time that is once every ten years you have to -- it very simple vision test such -- difference between. Rick -- and maybe in -- so can ninety years old utility of street rip and read it to go to your hundred to contest that vision tested hundreds potato to -- hundred and just just crazy actually --

Given the fact every time you put this proposal forth has got spiked up on the hill I'm guessing 85 to something you thought maybe you could get past. Or through the legislature but frankly senator Joyce 85 seems rather late to me.

I agree with Jumbo couched Versteeg in fact it is statistically significant previously precipitous decline in driving skills beyond -- five factors four times more likely to be -- Actually. Extreme driving -- a teenager. Get two years ago we -- pretty significant chief operators drivers built that hasn't fact resulted in -- which -- struggling just different traffic between Sunnis and continues. The senior strives machinists -- be and the other thing is that that's reality that -- 850 my gosh it's just common sense to resist can. Object but it's a lot of people too including BAA RP which it is unfortunate.

Why are you the lone wolf on this senator. You don't even have a cosponsor the my right.

I think a couple signed up during this time around -- cosponsored -- The eight vote wasn't I guess particularly sexy issue high profile issue was just an important. But -- issue as we have -- aging society the fastest growing segment of witches those persons Horry five. In almost half of those folks now suffer from -- revolves Amber's other physical ailments that diminished driving skills but it wasn't necessarily high profile issue as a result of these recent spate of accidents which will only increased as to drive population. Ages. It's become. I think. More topical and and I think more people get on board.

We said the same thing couple weeks ago when the guy went through Wal-Mart put -- one year old in the hospital. Sit in the next time that kids not gonna survive and in here is couple weeks later. And and we have a four year old loses her life while riding her scooter in the crosswalk I'm guessing. It's gonna become a very trendy issued today in the folks on Beacon Hill who like to stick their finger in the wind a going to be on board. What I don't get. Senators. -- Pressure on you when you introduced this a couple of years ago was was there -- voting block special interest group of of seniors who said. Don't even drive.

Well it was very it'll work put up 38 AARP which it was mr. it'd this happening over literal or. Urging members to. Object calling it -- Justin and that 85 was arbitrary numbers and adjusted its its not arbitrary it is significant statistic showing traffic skills diminish. Nevertheless. We do have some arbitrary. Collective judgments that we have expected age we give people driver's licenses sixteen after right devoted eighteen except. -- in addition to the medical evidence to be somewhat commonsensical begin testing at some -- but 85 is -- on.

It would be easier to task NC 75 or so which is what they -- capture and other state. But the AMP ethics here -- objections were misguided and that. Suggesting it was ages it's discriminatory. In fact that the to protection their membership as well as. You know innocent victims of the -- Chula Vista Italy was driving the -- a couple of days ago. That didn't in the count intent to hurt someone I'm sure she feels just awful and devastated. But the reality is beautiful little girl was killed and perhaps could have been avoided.

A senator Joyce of your colleagues -- percent of the biggest obstacles which which legislators did the most despite quoted as you were trying to accomplish.

Well let's just accentuate the positive at this point the bill will be heard it sometime in the near future in which committee on transportation and if you worked boosters wanted to -- their state representative -- states senator and -- them to cast some common sense legislation. To. You know have driver's test older drivers. I think that would be most an official point.

I would I would like to call you -- courageous but I'm not sure. It takes great courage it almost seems like common sense here. Send us I mean I -- I'm we we took some calls that objected this and there are just nonsense again as you'll holiday exposed to get to the store for the groceries. So we're gonna put it the lives of young children in danger. Is this old lady couldn't get her you know bread milk it's just it's nuts and I don't stand. Where the pressure comes from like on a local level a lot of you guys are all secure I mean let's face and when with a -- in for life you don't have to worry our other local senior groups at the local thinking breakfast that that the pressure you and other legislators. To not. Follow through with this to not be so he just.

Well the major motion video proposition -- number do you have many of us that had that conversation took very very difficult one we're. -- Equate the ability to drive -- the year independence and there ought to give it up and just it's just -- we -- have. -- images that -- realistic I think every one -- experienced military people --

Which is another reason for the state to take over tonight you know leave it to the kids in the family members leave her registry.

I think two good reasons one it is. -- Cute -- and -- to you know went on government to has -- too often do that but but also to. Sometimes they educate in there. She hears himself shall be surprised to achieve that this skills have diminished in. You know I'm not looking to create another bureaucracy a layer of government and this could be outsourced -- to be done by. You know triple -- has it driving simulator or -- or. It could be done with. Some of these high tech devices that we have now that would require all of your -- government but in any event it's something must be done in the problems only worse as the driving population ages.

We're -- senator Brian Joyce center I'm wondering beside the inconvenience of losing their freedom or their ability to get around. Have you heard any other viable arguments as to why they shouldn't be tested at 75 or eighty or 85 what's the best argument you heard against testing is there one.

Frankly don't mean there's it. The AMP came back with. Citi insiders is arbitrary number 8% very hard statistical data ridiculous that you are talking Mellon university for example suggesting. Significant. Decline instills driving under -- and that actually can we. We we -- judgments. With respect to. If -- sixteen after reportedly -- You know there's such a decision with its decidedly. That's one objection the other is the loss of independence in the which which -- and empathize with amnesty and history point -- between -- and protecting the general public we have them in terms of public safety and the security news. -- jury also mention people a concerned how to get to the doctors city. Grocery store true. Whatever we we do have a consulate champions in virtually every city council of state -- public transportation like much else definitely members to take care of each other.

As senator zoning does does this incident empower you to may be even strengthen your bill because frankly I look at this I don't think I test is enough and I know you're suggesting more than -- talking about periodic road test but even a driving test at that doesn't necessarily. Deal with reaction time or cognitive tests that they can look at a sign in and read it quickly processed what exactly it means it seems to me that that -- your 758085. Should be held to an even higher and an obstacle coincidental and like ropes and jam it in what's in the now that that -- sixteen and eighteen year old should be subjected to.

Well I think we could have a comprehensive. Protest and in -- It would happen and other states I think Florida for example some 20%. Of deceit is just chose not to elections -- essentially. Self regulated.

Vision -- when he reached 8080 -- real -- the senator AARP aside is it possible because we've heard from emailers and caller today who are older who say I think we should have this testing it protects via protects people protects its -- the right thing to do. Is it possible that AARP aside we have -- misjudged the appetite for this kind of testing in the state. You -- maybe -- support for this that we -- we that appears.

Yes I think you know don't underestimate the collective judgment of people common sense of the people you -- your. You're defending you know small movement vocal folks.

We you filed a bill correct me if I'm wrong three and a half years ago is that right Tim.

know what happened to it.

Well as a public hearing. The -- committee and that was. It was not test and -- to -- that it was that is potentially became one of the television stations to it to cover that hearing. And -- thought of creature is gonna point out the citizens have coverage stage weapon with this and and what detect where you're right -- my budget. Is -- what it wanted to do what -- just make sure that folks are safe and.

Was this -- Murray who was -- Then that in the Senate at that point.

Television reporter -- on album you're gonna claiming -- help -- lead to blame somebody. Now you know we want to blame someone that we find -- desired it to could we find out who the obstacles. Were in your path. The last three and happier senator --

All the -- of focus summit that -- it you know we're joking here but a beautiful little girl would still -- right out of my mr. Bryant my heart goes out the the -- gently and you have an opportunity now -- good efficacy to avoid such tragic events happen.

We had a chance to avoid this one I'm sorry that's the that's the fact. Says Lewis -- a -- where he stands the -- in --

My guess is that it would be support --

Supportive of you on your bill have you heard from any of your other colleagues -- the last 124 to 48 hours saying I changed my mind or if I was lukewarm on now hot on the trail I will back Q I will be there with you.

Well over the past several months -- have been a series of actions such as high profile ones that you're aware of but each of recession. You know instances in their district we're -- drugstores took jumped out front of an -- so more more are growing aware of this problem indicated support -- the the key right now is the joint committee on transportation. The -- cheer is senators keep the tour. -- he has already indicated. Acute interest in this post here. Representative Joe Wagner. I think there -- be helpful if all of these transportation committee members heard view. They're good people -- oh give it partial operation awfully quickly.

Up -- a question -- senator -- did the timeline now what happens next how does this proceeds starting today.

Well actually John Dennis Kelly and -- entity which -- committee on transportation. And asked for a hearing date on this bill which is senate. Dual 1929. We have been hearing sooner rather than later and -- folks have an opportunity to testify in support of the bill will prolong it reported out percent of we will push for passage on the house but the first thing is to get accurate date which like the transportation. Get folks to indicate his support to individual representatives and senators.

Now will you attend the funeral Libya traditional funeral will I know that's uncomfortable thing. You even consider but I does that work for a politician you know want to appear. Craft like you grandstand space you're you're on the right side this issue along time ago I just like to know some of the politicians who will be there in front of the cameras or maybe at the funeral. Or on the other side of the issue.

Yeah I you know it my I think collectively all of our -- quote Jim I don't think anybody would be -- the camera trying to the -- political tea party. You know paper expects privately and just leave it.

Keep up you know you keep up the effort I think it'll get little easier for you -- such or reduce the 75 -- 170 font yeah yeah yeah I think I think.

There's an apathetic -- but senator. Senator and -- demographic milk thank you that your time that it can expect the -- imports of toys that now AT&T.

He can't be accused of grandstanding here now because while ago. Clips and all the bills and everything from atmosphere he's been on this for you idiots that years all but admitted that he -- water -- down 85 at any shot. But this being considered and even at that it wasn't considered and he definitely gonna vote that when he would vote now there are authentic. And now it's all changed all it took as the death before you via via.