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Q:
So let me tell you all about how my son and I were nearly KILLED today. We went for our daily walk and everything started out like any other day. When we tried to cross a 35 mph road with average traffic, we were almost ran over by a little old lady!
We were crossing the street, IN a crosswalk, and this lady is waiting to make a left-hand turn onto the road. We were past the centerline when she cut the corner on the turn and headed straight for us. I could not react in time to get out of the way so all I could do, with my son in the front pack mind you, is jump straight up and hope to land on her hood. Luckily my catlike reflexes and balance are still awesome, ;) , because when she finally hit the breaks and stopped my left foot landed on her front bumper and I gracefully hopped back to the ground. She said, and I quote "sorry about that."
I estimate her age at 80+. I'm sorry but I think once you turn 80 your driving privleges should be more tightly monitored. Instead of just an eye test to get a license, I think an annual road test should be administered, and a clean bill of health given from a doctor.
I know that driving is one of the last things of independance and I hate having to take that from someone but an example of the problem is my grandfather. He was diagnosed with alzheimer's disease almost 10 years ago. This is a horrific disease and I have had to watch him whither away both mentally and physically. Up until this year, the state of Florida continued to issue him a license! Now the family would not let him drive when we were there but when it was just him and my grandmother he drove. No one was injured, thank God.
My great grandmother drove until she was 91!
To me its not if they can drive, its whether or not they should. A lot of things begin to loose their sharpness as we age. Should their be a maximum driving age?
What do yall think?
again, sorry so long
Question by DEER30. Uploaded on June 20, 2012
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Answers (21)
DEER30...Glade you and your son are safe,But this is not the Place for this Post. Try the Message Bord.
I've seen some pretty bad driving by the elderly, no doubt about that so I agree with the more test to clarify they are capable of driving safely.
however...
I bet more people now days will be killed or injured by people texting while driving, than by the elderly driving. I'd like to see harsher consequences for texting while driving.
I could not agree more! My grandpa is 88 and drives often, scares us all. He's blind in his left eye and can't see out the right one! My great great aunt was in her 90s and drove every day as well.
When you get to 80 or whatever, you can tell us all about how you gave up you independence an volunteered to stop driving,,,,
I think I read somewhere that when you add a driver's age to his desired speed limit, the total comes to 120.
teenagers get in more wrecks than anybody else and our insurance skyrockets regardless of our driving records. But Per capita old people get in far more wrecks. completely agree with you deer 30
I doubt I will want to voluntarily give up anything especially driving. I am afraid that I could become just like my grandfather and the lady who ran into me today.
It is a lot easier on the family when they can rely on the law as the reasoning behind taking the keys. That's why I think that this is one issue where a better system is needed.
Hey, if your a hundred and you still pass the road test, are healthy physically and mentally then by all means....but if you have a serious mental illness, or a cell phone in your hand and you hurt me or worse my son, I'm going to tell everyone exactly why you should be in jail.
While I agree some oldtimers need their steering ticket punched, let's leave the "gummit" out of it!
My grandfather was 80+ when he had a fender bender at the post office. When he and my grandmother made it home, he called my dad and it was all over. He'd scared himself. My mother, at nearly 90, gave up her car.
I've seen granny women in Houston that would give Andretti a run for his money.
I'm not 65 yet and I literally refuse to drive in Dallas! Too much time driving dirt roads! LOL!!!
If it had been a younger driver, you might be writing from a hospital bed! Basically, you may be glad it was an older driver! Think about it!
DEER30, there are parts of a car that creates blind spots large enough to even to hide an 18 wheeler. There is a level of responsibilities on both parties and one of them is not to take the other one for granted. When moving, it's hard to keep track what's going on at any age and at any skill level!
One more thing, the majority of motor vehicle accidents that cross my desk are below the age of 50. It's very rare to have over 60 unless the other party is at fault.
No there should not be I do think there should be a common since test however because it's not very common anymore. I don't think there should be a age limit because I have seen 90 year olds that drive just find and I trust, but I have also seen 50 year old's that i am pretty sure they got there license at wallyworld.
No there should not be I do think there should be a common since test however because it's not very common anymore. I don't think there should be a age limit because I have seen 90 year olds that drive just find and I trust, but I have also seen 50 year old's that i am pretty sure they got there license at wallyworld.
You might hate Insurance Companies but there is one undeniable truth to them. They keep great records and can work the odds better than a Brooklyn Book Maker. They are Johnny on the spot to raise your rates for a multitude of reasons. Driving record, location, type of vehicle, miles driven and oh yes AGE. Usually it's youngsters who complain about the high premiums. Ask yourself why.
PS you forgot to mention any traffic control devices. OR as Ratso Rizzo said in Midnight Cowboy "Hey I'm Walking Here".
I did mention that I was in a crosswalk. To add, there was posted signs for pedestrian crossing. I also mentioned that she cut the corner instead of pulling into the intersection before beginning the turn. If she had, there would be nothing to talk about.
Good point about insurance companies raising rates based upon age. Obviously there must be a connection to more claims based upon older drivers. Otherwise how could it be justified?
I know that there are blind spots and that accidents can happen to anyone of any age. And yes a 90 yr old may be suitable to drive.
BUT my point is that not all are. I gave examples from within my own family. How safe do you feel knowing that the current system allowed someone with severe alzheimers to drive? All I am suggesting is that after a certain age, the requirements to keep your license should be more than an eye test. It doesn't matter how well you see if you forget which side of the road you are suppose to be on.
You can come up with a reason for every stage of life about bad driving. Teenagers are inexperienced and over confident, 20-30's are always in a hurry going no where, 30-50's are distracted by children in the car and 60's plus start to loose their reaction time etc. Cell phones, eating in the car, radio, etc. are all distractions that create bad driving regardless of your age. Many states have banned the use of cell phones while driving because of this.
The topic of this discussion is the upper end of the age spectrum because it was this age bracket that nearly killed me. Not in theory or generality, but was inches away. Next time if it is a teenager or 30 something, we can have that discussion.
I agree with most of you here that every age class is capable of being a bad driver. Just wondering if we don't need a system change.
Short and sweet. I don't understand your connection of younger drivers paying a higher premium because older drivers put in more claims. Insurance companies raise rates for chargeable accidents and moving violations against the Individual Person. If an older person has a bad record they would pay a higher rate. Historically not the case. I asked if there were any controls at the corner IE traffic light or stop sign. You didn't mention any. This makes me believe his is a uncontrolled intersection. The old adage of look both ways before you cross comes to mind.
PS You mentioned about changing the system. If by this you would put a numeric cap on ability to drive. You would have to [and the statistics are on my side] the minimum driving age would have to be raised. This would insure that Every Driver was Mature enough to drive. The door swings both ways.
Deer30
I don't give a ROYAL RIP where you where at, just recently had a fella hit by an SUV sitting in his desk at work that lost control. It came blasting into his office through a brick wall. Yes Workers Comp for now. LOL!
Now if you want some cheese with that whine or have us call you a WHAMBULANCE, I'm sure one of my Clients can take care of you.
Hell, people even git hit by meteorites and chunks of blue ice the size of a small refrigerator come smashing through there roof into there living room!
WELCOME TO THE 3RD ROCK FROM THE SUN!
You know what ClayCooper, if we are droping to this level of maturity in the conversation let's move on to talking about hunting and fishing again.
Save the "whambulance" and your cheese for your next client injured by grandma.
Deer30, you should take your own advice and move the line of questions back to hunting, shooting, outdoor, or fishing topics in this forum or move your inane B.S. to the Backlash & Blowback section where you can argue with Rock Rat and Sayfu. We need to enforce the rules in place before creating new ones. Stay off your cell phone and don't drive impaired.
Just one more before I go. I live on LI and we just had a non lethal auto/house accident that made the news. On a posted 30mph posted road a 22 year old lost control of his SUV at 8:30 AM. He hit the two story house with such force that he moved it a foot off the foundation and knocked down a chimney on the opposite side. There was no talk of drugs or alzheimer's. So maybe he was just being young and dumb. Or maybe just a case of the I's Immortal, Indestructible, Indispensable, Invincible. I could go on but it's been a while since I felt that way behind the wheel of a car.
Post an Answer
When you get to 80 or whatever, you can tell us all about how you gave up you independence an volunteered to stop driving,,,,
Deer30
I don't give a ROYAL RIP where you where at, just recently had a fella hit by an SUV sitting in his desk at work that lost control. It came blasting into his office through a brick wall. Yes Workers Comp for now. LOL!
Now if you want some cheese with that whine or have us call you a WHAMBULANCE, I'm sure one of my Clients can take care of you.
Hell, people even git hit by meteorites and chunks of blue ice the size of a small refrigerator come smashing through there roof into there living room!
WELCOME TO THE 3RD ROCK FROM THE SUN!
Deer30, you should take your own advice and move the line of questions back to hunting, shooting, outdoor, or fishing topics in this forum or move your inane B.S. to the Backlash & Blowback section where you can argue with Rock Rat and Sayfu. We need to enforce the rules in place before creating new ones. Stay off your cell phone and don't drive impaired.
One more thing, the majority of motor vehicle accidents that cross my desk are below the age of 50. It's very rare to have over 60 unless the other party is at fault.
DEER30...Glade you and your son are safe,But this is not the Place for this Post. Try the Message Bord.
I've seen some pretty bad driving by the elderly, no doubt about that so I agree with the more test to clarify they are capable of driving safely.
however...
I bet more people now days will be killed or injured by people texting while driving, than by the elderly driving. I'd like to see harsher consequences for texting while driving.
I think I read somewhere that when you add a driver's age to his desired speed limit, the total comes to 120.
DEER30, there are parts of a car that creates blind spots large enough to even to hide an 18 wheeler. There is a level of responsibilities on both parties and one of them is not to take the other one for granted. When moving, it's hard to keep track what's going on at any age and at any skill level!
I could not agree more! My grandpa is 88 and drives often, scares us all. He's blind in his left eye and can't see out the right one! My great great aunt was in her 90s and drove every day as well.
While I agree some oldtimers need their steering ticket punched, let's leave the "gummit" out of it!
My grandfather was 80+ when he had a fender bender at the post office. When he and my grandmother made it home, he called my dad and it was all over. He'd scared himself. My mother, at nearly 90, gave up her car.
I've seen granny women in Houston that would give Andretti a run for his money.
I'm not 65 yet and I literally refuse to drive in Dallas! Too much time driving dirt roads! LOL!!!
If it had been a younger driver, you might be writing from a hospital bed! Basically, you may be glad it was an older driver! Think about it!
No there should not be I do think there should be a common since test however because it's not very common anymore. I don't think there should be a age limit because I have seen 90 year olds that drive just find and I trust, but I have also seen 50 year old's that i am pretty sure they got there license at wallyworld.
You might hate Insurance Companies but there is one undeniable truth to them. They keep great records and can work the odds better than a Brooklyn Book Maker. They are Johnny on the spot to raise your rates for a multitude of reasons. Driving record, location, type of vehicle, miles driven and oh yes AGE. Usually it's youngsters who complain about the high premiums. Ask yourself why.
PS you forgot to mention any traffic control devices. OR as Ratso Rizzo said in Midnight Cowboy "Hey I'm Walking Here".
teenagers get in more wrecks than anybody else and our insurance skyrockets regardless of our driving records. But Per capita old people get in far more wrecks. completely agree with you deer 30
I doubt I will want to voluntarily give up anything especially driving. I am afraid that I could become just like my grandfather and the lady who ran into me today.
It is a lot easier on the family when they can rely on the law as the reasoning behind taking the keys. That's why I think that this is one issue where a better system is needed.
Hey, if your a hundred and you still pass the road test, are healthy physically and mentally then by all means....but if you have a serious mental illness, or a cell phone in your hand and you hurt me or worse my son, I'm going to tell everyone exactly why you should be in jail.
No there should not be I do think there should be a common since test however because it's not very common anymore. I don't think there should be a age limit because I have seen 90 year olds that drive just find and I trust, but I have also seen 50 year old's that i am pretty sure they got there license at wallyworld.
I did mention that I was in a crosswalk. To add, there was posted signs for pedestrian crossing. I also mentioned that she cut the corner instead of pulling into the intersection before beginning the turn. If she had, there would be nothing to talk about.
Good point about insurance companies raising rates based upon age. Obviously there must be a connection to more claims based upon older drivers. Otherwise how could it be justified?
I know that there are blind spots and that accidents can happen to anyone of any age. And yes a 90 yr old may be suitable to drive.
BUT my point is that not all are. I gave examples from within my own family. How safe do you feel knowing that the current system allowed someone with severe alzheimers to drive? All I am suggesting is that after a certain age, the requirements to keep your license should be more than an eye test. It doesn't matter how well you see if you forget which side of the road you are suppose to be on.
You can come up with a reason for every stage of life about bad driving. Teenagers are inexperienced and over confident, 20-30's are always in a hurry going no where, 30-50's are distracted by children in the car and 60's plus start to loose their reaction time etc. Cell phones, eating in the car, radio, etc. are all distractions that create bad driving regardless of your age. Many states have banned the use of cell phones while driving because of this.
The topic of this discussion is the upper end of the age spectrum because it was this age bracket that nearly killed me. Not in theory or generality, but was inches away. Next time if it is a teenager or 30 something, we can have that discussion.
I agree with most of you here that every age class is capable of being a bad driver. Just wondering if we don't need a system change.
Short and sweet. I don't understand your connection of younger drivers paying a higher premium because older drivers put in more claims. Insurance companies raise rates for chargeable accidents and moving violations against the Individual Person. If an older person has a bad record they would pay a higher rate. Historically not the case. I asked if there were any controls at the corner IE traffic light or stop sign. You didn't mention any. This makes me believe his is a uncontrolled intersection. The old adage of look both ways before you cross comes to mind.
PS You mentioned about changing the system. If by this you would put a numeric cap on ability to drive. You would have to [and the statistics are on my side] the minimum driving age would have to be raised. This would insure that Every Driver was Mature enough to drive. The door swings both ways.
Just one more before I go. I live on LI and we just had a non lethal auto/house accident that made the news. On a posted 30mph posted road a 22 year old lost control of his SUV at 8:30 AM. He hit the two story house with such force that he moved it a foot off the foundation and knocked down a chimney on the opposite side. There was no talk of drugs or alzheimer's. So maybe he was just being young and dumb. Or maybe just a case of the I's Immortal, Indestructible, Indispensable, Invincible. I could go on but it's been a while since I felt that way behind the wheel of a car.
You know what ClayCooper, if we are droping to this level of maturity in the conversation let's move on to talking about hunting and fishing again.
Save the "whambulance" and your cheese for your next client injured by grandma.
Post an Answer