Man, 101, easily gets new driver's license

United States
April 11, 2007 2:16pm CST
LANGLEY, Wash (UPI) -- Alden Couch breezed through his Washington state driver's license test, including the dreaded parallel parking, even though he just had his 101st birthday. Couch -- who celebrated his birthday Monday -- got his new license in the mail a little more than a week ago. He limits his driving these days to South Whidbey Island -- "The mainland is too wild" -- and heads out mostly to nearby Langley, to the grocery store, the gas station, and the senior center for lunch and a game of dominos or bridge, the (Everett, Wash.) Daily Herald reported. Couch figures he drives about 7,500 miles a year. Sometimes, his son, Bill, 64, follows to make sure he's doing OK. During his lifetime Couch says he has owned 10 to 15 cars, maybe more. He started out in a Model T Ford -- his parents preferred a horse and buggy -- and now drives his favorite, an '81 Chevy Impala. His new license expires in 2012.
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2 responses
whywiki
@whywiki (6066)
• Canada
11 Apr 07
I think it is great. I know lots of younger people who can't parallel park. I think that as long as someone is capable and in control they should be allowed to keep their license. Hopefully at 101 I too will still be driving. I think at his age he will know when it is time to hang up his keys.
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Amber
@AmbiePam (120547)
• United States
13 Apr 07
That is wonderful. I know the news media likes to bring out the fact that there are elderly people who cause very bad accidents, but then again, teenage drivers, some in their mid-twenties have no business driving either. Now, usually teens get better and elderly people get worse, but as long as there are periodic tests, then I hope he continues to have fun. I'd love to have a chat with him!
1 person likes this