After a suburban Detroit woman was killed by a 95-year-old driver, State Sen. Rosemary Bayer is pushing a bill that would force older Michigan motorists to prove they still belong behind the wheel. Her proposal would require drivers 75 and older to take written, vision and behind-the-wheel tests on a set schedule, with more frequent checks kicking in as drivers age. Supporters say the plan is meant to catch age-related decline before it turns into another roadside tragedy.
What The Bill Would Require
The measure would swap Michigan’s largely one-size-fits-all license renewal system for age-triggered reexaminations. According to CBS News Detroit, drivers 75 and older would have to complete a written knowledge test, a vision screening and a road test every four years. Once a driver turns 85, that full slate of tests would come every year.
Crash That Pushed The Change
The legislation is a direct response to the October 3, 2024 death of Sarah Thexton, who was struck and killed after stepping out to check damage from a rear-end collision, her husband told reporters. FOX 2 Detroit reports that the driver, 95-year-old Phyllis Stafford, later pleaded no contest to a moving violation causing death and, in April 2025, was sentenced to 270 days of house arrest, two years of probation and a ban on driving.
Family Pushes For Change
In the wake of the crash, Sarah’s husband, Christopher Thexton, has been blunt about what he believes failed his family. He told reporters the case exposed a hole in Michigan’s rules and urged lawmakers to close it. "This was a completely preventable tragedy," he said. According to CBS News Detroit, Thexton contacted Sen. Bayer’s office after learning that Stafford still had a valid driver’s license at the time of the crash.
How Michigan Handles Renewals Now
Right now, Michigan licenses expire every four years on a driver’s birthday, regardless of age. Renewals can involve an in-person visit and a vision check, although not every driver is pulled in for testing. The state spells out renewal timelines, options and what can trigger additional testing on the official site of the Michigan Department of State.
Crash Data And Safety Context
Supporters of Bayer’s bill point to a worrying trend in crash data involving older motorists. The Michigan Traffic Crash Facts report lists 10,580 crashes involving drivers aged 75 to 79 and 6,213 crashes involving drivers 80 to 84 in 2024, figures that have become a rallying point for grieving families and safety advocates who argue that periodic re-testing is overdue. Michigan Traffic Crash Facts
Legal Fallout And Next Steps
The Thexton family is also turning to the courts. They are pursuing a civil lawsuit tied to the 2024 crash, adding legal pressure on top of the criminal case that ended with a misdemeanor plea and house-arrest sentence. FOX 2 Detroit details the no-contest plea to a moving violation causing death and the judge’s decision to bar Stafford from driving.
What’s Next In Lansing
Sen. Bayer’s bill is now in the Lansing pipeline. It will have to clear the committee, then win approval in both the state Senate and House before it can land on the governor’s desk. Any final tweaks to Michigan’s licensing rules, including the potential testing schedule for senior drivers, would be locked in only after the governor signs them into law. Residents can track the bill text, committee notices and any upcoming hearings through the official site of the Michigan Senate.
