Do you think elderly drivers need to be monitored?

[Freya]

http://asia.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=3110879

10 people dead after an 86 yr-old man plowed through a street market. Now I realize that anyone at any age could hit the accelerator by mistake when panicked, but I'd imagine everyone has at least one story about bad driving by a senior. Do you feel that they should be more closely monitored? And at what age?

Here in Ontario, seniors must take their written test at the age of 80, and then a driving test at 85. My grandmother (who should never be allowed behind the wheel of a car), was able to write her test 3 times...and on the 3rd try, one of the MTO workers gave her an answer she was about to answer wrong.

I firmly believe that after the age of 70, they should have to take driving tests at least every 5 years. Yes, that punishes the ones who do drive well, but from what I've seen driving on highways and city streets, there's plenty more dangerous ones than good ones.

 

[ohfaque]

There is a thread about this already, interesting reads there.

I agree with you, but you will be amazed about how many people think they should not be allowed to drive period, after becoming a senior.

 

[huskie]

OOOOOOOOOO we have SOOO discussed this today already Freya

I feel (after fussing and whining about it on the other thread) that ALL drivers should be retested every four years. No matter age. thats fair, no?

 

[Freya]

There is a thread about this already, interesting reads there.

I agree with you, but you will be amazed about how many people think they should not be allowed to drive period, after becoming a senior.

Fuck! I did a quick look-see and didn't see another one.

Ok, let this die then and I'll read the other one instead.

 

[ohfaque]

OOOOOOOOOO we have SOOO discussed this today already Freya

I feel (after fussing and whining about it on the other thread) that ALL drivers should be retested every four years. No matter age. thats fair, no?

So, did I just read this right?

You have changed your view and no longer feel as you did?


Great, I am glad we could come to an agreement

 

[MWG]

Just as there is an age bracket where one is too YOUNG to drive, there needs to be one where one is too OLD to drive. Mental capacity DOES tend to diminish with age. Once you reach a certain age as a teen, you're tested as to your driving ability. I think that once one reaches a certain age as a senior citizen, they should be required to take a test regularly. Seems like a hassle, but when it poses a danger to society, steps should be taken to prevent it.

 

[Killswitch]

It's a real bummer what happened in that market...for everyone.

But....well let me say first that I agree with you Freya, and I think old folks need to be skills tested.....but it aint gonna ever ever happen.

The senior lobbys are way too powerful in the US, anyways.

 

[huskie]

Fuck! I did a quick look-see and didn't see another one.

Ok, let this die then and I'll read the other one instead.

No!!! This just furthers my point, that people should be more concerned about over all safty rather than feeling sorry for the elderly.

I mean I love my grandmommys very much but THEY have NO buisness getting behind 2 tons of moving steel!! They really don't. I have lost friends I used to survey with to these type of drivers and I have had them hurt other fellow workers on the job as well. This IS something to be Very concerned about!!!

 

[huskie]

So, did I just read this right?

You have changed your view and no longer feel as you did?


Great, I am glad we could come to an agreement

Yes I agree you had a better idea. But, when I get old!!! I'm still gonna move up north and drive like I'm dead just to piss them yankees off! Just like they do me EVERY day!!!

 

[ohfaque]

No!!! This just furthers my point, that people should be more concerned about over all safty rather than feeling sorry for the elderly.

I mean I love my grandmommys very much but THEY have NO buisness getting behind 2 tons of moving steel!! They really don't. I have lost friends I used to survey with to these type of drivers and I have had them hurt other fellow workers on the job as well. This IS something to be Very concerned about!!!

What kind of 2 ton car do they drive?

My Grandmothers should not drive, and they don't. My grandfather does drive, very well.

 

[Freya]

Whenever I see one of those big old boat-type cars, and all you can see is a hat sticking up over the driver's seat, I get past that fucker as fast as I can.

I love seniors immensely, but to be honest, they scare the shit out of me on the roads...driving too slow, making some fucked up turns and moves, not being able to see properly...and don't even get me started on those big cars trying to get in and out of parking spaces! Not long ago, we watched an older lady turn left out of a mall parking lot, on a red light, in to the path of a bus...now come on, should she be allowed to drive?

 

[ohfaque]

should she be allowed to drive?

No, did anyone get her license plate and report her?That would have possibly resulted ina a ticket for her and possibly a driving skills test. Adding she may have had other marks against her, enough to lose her license, and need a test to get it back.

 

[Killswitch]

http://www.mccartyusedcars.com/carimages/1997%20buick%20lesabre,4dr,v6,auto,loaded.jpg

 

[Freya]

No, did anyone get her license plate and report her?That would have possibly resulted ina a ticket for her and possibly a driving skills test.

It happened so fast...the bus slammed on its brakes and had to swerve...she kept on merrily driving...and by the time we were able to go through the green light, she was gone.

I thought we'd be cleaning her up off the front of the bus for sure.


No KS, the BIG ones, with the 12 foot front ends...you know what ones I mean.

 

[huskie]

Whenever I see one of those big old boat-type cars, and all you can see is a hat sticking up over the driver's seat, I get past that fucker as fast as I can.

I love seniors immensely, but to be honest, they scare the shit out of me on the roads...driving too slow, making some fucked up turns and moves, not being able to see properly...and don't even get me started on those big cars trying to get in and out of parking spaces! Not long ago, we watched an older lady turn left out of a mall parking lot, on a red light, in to the path of a bus...now come on, should she be allowed to drive?

I hear ya, Sister!!! I live right here in a retirment community!!! It's a DAILY thang around here EVERY day!!!!!!

 

[ohfaque]

http://www.mccartyusedcars.com/carimages/1997%20buick%20lesabre,4dr,v6,auto,loaded.jpg

hmmm, My grandfather drivs a Lincoln


I don't think it is 2 tons though.

 

[Killswitch]

No, did anyone get her license plate and report her?

Oh....you're one of those.......

 

[ohfaque]

It happened so fast...the bus slammed on its brakes and had to swerve...she kept on merrily driving...and by the time we were able to go through the green light, she was gone.

I thought we'd be cleaning her up off the front of the bus for sure.


No KS, the BIG ones, with the 12 foot front ends...you know what ones I mean.

Poor bus driver probably shit himself.

 

[ohfaque]

Oh....you're one of those.......

What would that be?

 

[Killswitch]

http://www.automobile-riekmann.com/magazin/scs_2000/buick.jpg



All the seniors here drive Buicks...just like that white one...

 

[Killswitch]

What would that be?

....ummmmmmmmm





























































Ratfink?

 

[huskie]

hmmm, My grandfather drivs a Lincoln


I don't think it is 2 tons though.

jeeez, ohfaque!! one ton, two tons??? does it really matter ??? when it's going over 15 miles an hr it can still kill ya, can't it???

 

[ohfaque]

..
Ratfink?

Explain how?


Gwtting a woman like that off the road could save someones life.

It's not like tatteling on Jonny boy for cheating on a test.

Come on Killswitch, I like your postings, but that is a bit stupid to say don't ya think?

 

[Freya]

Yes KS, more like that. Nobody drives those old boats but little old men, it seems

 

[ohfaque]

jeeez, ohfaque!! one ton, two tons??? does it really matter ??? when it's going over 15 miles an hr it can still kill ya, can't it???

Don't get bent out of shape, it was a sarcastic comment.


Go check your blood pressure, you need to take a breather.