Sperling, who conducted her research as a doctoral student at USC, said the new findings point to a deeper problem - not just a isual deficit - affecting all areas of perception.
And alarmist politicians and doomster academics may, in pointing to the state of decay, miss a nation's continuing strengths and attractions, which have to be weighed against its problems and worries.
The penalty for both offences was doubled from three points to six; drivers accumulating 12 points in a year forfeit their licences until they complete a week-long course and pass an onerous exam.