I found this in my blog’s comment queue today when I got back from my weekend. I wanted to post so that everyone can see it, rather than buried in an old post’s comments. This is for a post I wrote titled “You can’t do that! You’re deaf!”

Anna Says:

I’m sure many of you are safe drivers, but not all deaf drivers should be on the road. A deaf driver smashed into me on my bike just six weeks ago. I suffered extensive injuries, spent two weeks in the hospital and have medical bills totally over 300K. I will be unable to walk for another three months. This man was not fit to have a drivers license. I’m not opposed to the deaf being licensed - I just think the standards for issuing licenses to the deaf should be tightened up so someone like the man who hit me is stopped from getting a license.

I wonder if deaf drivers have a more difficult time obtaining auto insurance…

Anna, I am sorry to hear about your accident. Without knowing the full story, I can’t really pass judgment. However, I don’t think deafness is the issue here. The driver’s competency sounds more like the key. Maybe he was not paying attention, which is a common mistake for all drivers both hearing and deaf. You do not mention whether his insurance is paying your medical bills. Was he insured?

As for making it harder for deaf drivers to be licensed, that is against civil rights. Driving is a privilege that is legally granted to all Americans, including deaf people. Deaf drivers go through the same testing as hearing drivers with an extra emphasis on being visual and aware of our surroundings. We don’t get special treatment. Same goes for insurance. Unfortunately, the privilege of driving depends on the driver keeping a good record.

I am of opinion that all drivers hearing, deaf, immigrant, young and old, need to be screened carefully when they take the driving test or get insurance. Deaf people should not be singled out to have a harder time getting automotive insurance just because they can’t hear. This kind of statement is discrimination. It’s same as telling a black person that he/she cannot drive or be insured because of the color of their skin, or that a woman can’t because of her gender. The same goes for granting or denying insurance. Legally, insurers are required to insure any driver who passes the driving tests and has a good record. If a deaf person can pass the driving tests, they have the right to be granted the priviledge of driving. It is up to the driver — both hearing and deaf — to maintain a good record. It’s bad drivers that should be looked at closely.

There are many bad drivers who are still driving and may not be licensed or insured. I have been hit by 3 drivers that should not have been driving. All 3 were hearing. Two were DUI. One DUI was not insured, and one was a hit-and-run driver that has never been caught to this day. The third one was an uninsured driver was also an immigrant fresh to America. And the DUI got his license back after serving punishment. Do I say “Those hearing drivers shouldn’t have licenses because they’re stupid for driving uninsured and under the influence!” or “Immigrants shouldn’t be driving!”

No.

They are just human beings who chose not to use their brains. My point is, deaf people are the same as hearing people. Driving depends on you paying attention to what you are doing, being aware of what is going on around you on the road, and driving responsibly. If you are capable of doing something that the average Joe can or better, you should be allowed to rather than being told you can’t do it because of a minor disability or the color of your skin, your gender, etc.

Anna, I really do hope you have a speedy recovery.

I invite comments on this from all of my readers.