[ARCHIVED THREAD] - RANT: Old Drivers! UGH (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 6/19/2006 10:48:24 AM EDT
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Low speed accident while doing a left turn. She hits me, fucks up my 1 year old truck because she failed to maintain the center turn lane. Dumb bitch is 88 years old....WTH is the DMV doing? Edited to add: Diagram 
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I hate to break this to you, but she was probably as unsafe at 38 as she is at 88. Age doesn't make people stupid, usually. Stupid people just get older. |
| On the way to work this AM there was a 30 something dumb broad in her sedan in front of me with her left blinker on. She slowed down to 1 MPH for about 1/4 mile. She then pulled over to the right shoulder -- still left blinker blinking. I slowly drove past to find her yacking on her cell phone oblivous to anything or anyone else. Stupid people should not be allowed to drive weather they are 30 or 80. |
He was actually quite plesant, despite my weapons in the car (which I told him about...and stayed outside of my vehicle).
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there should be mandatory retesting at the DMV around age 65-70 and every year thereafter. example: my grandfather ordinarily an exemplary driver (no ticket in 60+ years) began to suffer from dementia. Refuses to give up his driver's licence to family, despite repeated "close encounters". eventually, he did, but it was long after he should have. |
Sir, FWIW both of my parents are in their 83rd year. Perhaps they are a bit more cautios or even slower than when they were younger, but in my opinion are as good a driver as they ever were. Think about how you would care for your elderly parents when you would deny them the freedom driving their car imparts. Remember, some day god willing, you may also live to be that age. JMHO, 7zero1. |
A Deputy AG told me how her pop got in his car and managed to drive 6 blocks with "The Club" still attached to the wheel. My mom gave up her license years ago and started riding with her old grade school friend, who promptly had several near-misses and an accident or two, one being a near T-bone that could easily have killed them both. She finally had a family intervention. Senile dementia. |
| I feel for older citizens. I'm not against them driving, if they are capable. This lady was NOT. Should be a manditory retest every 2 years after 75. If they pass, they drive, if not, they don't. Driving is not a right, and the government shouldn't protect those that endanger other's lifes and property. I'm not having to deal with the consequences of it, which while mild (because I was not at fault) are still quite annoying. I was nice with her, didn't say anything bad, etc. That was respect, because she was shaken and I do have a heart. Doesn't mean she should be able to drive anymore though. |
| I agree that after a certain age they should be retested every few years. I agree as well that there is just stupid bad drivers of all ages, but I think some times elders start to lose there facilities and don't realize it. Like with dementia or alzheimers. An elderly women the other ran a red light on a very busy street here, oblivous to anything around her. All in all I just keep my eye out for all the other drivers. |
Well said. I couldn't agree more. |
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I see more young a-hole drivers than old timers. Yakking on the phone,seat tilted to a sleep worthy position,doing their eyes/hair. Actually saw a guy with an electric shaver a while back. Have seen quite a few with the paper or a magazine on the steering wheel. Mix inexperience (read:youth) and inattentiveness and you've got trouble. And remember: That old guy driving too slow,holding you back,MAY have been one of the first to hit the beach on D day. |
You act as if I dislike old people, I don't. What I don't like is getting hit by them while driving because they can't see over the steering wheel, or can't remember who they are, where they are going, etc. This is why I say retest after age (whatever age is statistically best). That way the people driving at least have the piece of mind that they are capable, it saves the older people from being disliked on the road, etc. I'm not looking for keeping speed, acceleration etc, that stuff I can deal with. The problem that I have is the ones who can't see etc. |
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My grandpa got dementia and they had to take his license away from him. The loss of his license was a crushing blow to him. The dementia hit around age 80 and rapidly became severe. It was the correct thing to take away his license, but it was also very sad to see how quickly this proud man lost his dignity.  RIP, Grandpa. You're in a better place now and free from the effects of that dementia. |
I began to drive for my grandfather, we both enjoyed spending time together and it may have saved his life. This was the only way he "gave up" his keys. I concur shane, driving offers an ability to "get away", independence, and subsequent freedom. But, my grandfather (RIP) was a danger to himself and to others on the roadway. Yes, he was a WWII vet and served his coutnry proudly in European theatre. As someone else said, this isn't "ageism", it's about safety. The loss of certain faculties (hearing, sight, reflexes, etc.) are what separates the elderly unsafe driver from the idiotic streetracing teeneager. The teen has the ability to safely drive, whereas the elderly man/woman may not. |
While I understand where you're coming from there, the difficulties your family would face providing transportation pale in comparison to the pain and suffering that can be caused by an unfit driver causing an accident. I'm VERY glad that your parents are capable drivers at age 83, but you can't deny that there are a lot out there on the roads who shouldn't be. We pull people's licenses for medical reasons all the time.. Epileptics aren't consulted as to whether their license being pulled would cause them or their families undue stress. Then again, there isn't a big hairy AARP-like group for those with Epilepsy. Those with seizure disorders aren't a voting bloc to be feared. Until someone with a spine takes on the AARP, thank god for crumple zones. |
My grandparents lived just 10 minutes away from us. Dad and I were the go-to-guys whenever they needed anything. Mow the lawn? I was there every week. Lift and move something heavy? "I'll be right over." I think losing his license was so hard on Grandpa because it forced him to accept that he was getting dementia. I know that inside him he was fighting tooth and nail to keep it together. Nobody wants to hear that they're losing it. You're absolutely right that is isn't about "ageism" as it is about safety. |
Actually thats not true. Reflexes and awareness of situations go down hill with age. Teens get regularly tested before they drive and so should senior citizens. The state of Washington kept renewing my grandmas license and she was blind and senile. She passed away and they still sent a renewal form. Her rationale was that since the state deemed her safe to drive and issued her a license she said she could and would. A close call that almost killed a baby and her mom convinced her to stop driving. Whats worse then old drivers are the stupid people that eat, put on their makeup, read and talk on their phones while driving. At least the old folks are trying to becareful. |
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I had a lil' old lady nearly kill me, She was so little she had to look through thespokes in the steering wheel and over the dash. Her car was an 70s caddy that had to weight 4000 lbs. At a 4-way stop, I started to go when she just blew right through. I was able to stamp on it, and watched her never even turn to look at me. Freaked me out, so I followed her to the next intersection. She stopped for that one, but I noticed that her rear-view mirror was not adjusted, and she couldn't use it! She continued to a main street light, and without slowing to look, turned right into the path of a city bus. Boom. I'll never forget how close I came. Bad drivers come in all ages, heck, I've blown through a stop sign by mistake, but age does slow some folks down. I don't know if a standard test would show these problems. Maybe a ride-along, but who'd want that job? |
You know, I was thinking last night if FL's population will drop in about 10yrs when the old people start really going out the door. |
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Well at least the dumb ol' broad can't breed any more idiot offspring. I believe all old people should ge the ol' yeller treatment -- you know taking them out back. They are just a useless drain on resources -- not to mention traffic hazards. And what's up with the chincy $10 Christmas check each year? I know you're on a fixed income, but common-- how long you planning on living anyway? |
While that is true, it is also true that most unsafe drivers are unsafe because of bad driving habits that eventually catch up with them. People might get themselves into a stupid situation when they are younger that their reflexes can get them out of, but they never change their driving behavior when they age and loose that quick reaction. Things like pulling out in front of people, stopping in the middle of an intersection, running red lights, following too closely, etc. Those are habits that bad drivers seem to posess no matter their age. I know some retired cops, for instance, who are in their 70s and 80s. They are the safest drivers you will ever want to see. Why? Because they know that they aren't as quick to react as they used to be, and thus they go the extra mile to avoid bad situations.
State authorities don't like denying anything to senior citizens. They have pretty powerful lobbies. Responsible people don't drive past their capability.
Amen. And that is my point: The reason that people think old drivers are necessarily bad drivers is because younger stupid people never stop being stupid, but they do grow older, and the problems of age compound their already stupid proclivities to the point of being dangerous. |
WTF??? 
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I think it was a joke. But this *IS* ARFCOM, so.....I really HOPE it was a joke. |
| They had a memorial service and fund raiser here in the small town I'm staying in. Several months ago, a mid-80s year old man drove on the sidewalk. Managed to go several blocks and damage multiple cars. He eventually hit a mother and her two children. The 10 year old died. Mother is just now out of the hospital, other child is home, but hurt badly. The older drive was uninjured. When he was told what happened, he had a massive heart attack and died. |
u must live in north florida then. down here in south florida old people kill more people by driving than murders involving guns. but we cant ban them from drivingheysorry if it seems like i dislike old people driving but i had a buddy die on a motorcycle cuz some old person wasnt watchin the road. |
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I am 63 and will be the first to admit that my reflexes and visual acuity are not what they were when I was younger. One has to compensate for those changes that come with age and generally do it by driving slower (at or below the posted speed limit). I know that driving the speed limit is some of the younger folks biggest irritation when they get stuck behind someone who is actually obeying the friggen law. All that said, people past 60 should be given greater scrutiny as to their driving skills each year and licensed or denied accordingly. And since the miracle of health care have folks living much longer, that means the younger folks get to drive their unlicensed Mom or Dad to the places they need to get to.  You won't be young forever and if you manage to live long enough to get "old", you will wonder why you were so impatient with old folks when you were younger. I know I do. Semper Fi! |
Yup...I would rather have a million screaming rice-burners pass me by than one little ole' granny. I work in the bodyshop business and 80% of our customers are 65+...38% of the population in my county is 60+..Those are scary numbers. It's a major problem for south florida..especially from boynton beach to del-ray..I would'nt recommend driving through that area it's a major death trap, Q-tips everywhere. |
or ban big cars for old people
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Let me tell you guys a little story about retesting with the DMV. My mother is in her late 70's and needed to get her license renewed just for I.D. puposes. She has given up driving about 5 years back because she was smart enough to recognize that her sight has deteriorated to the point where driving would be an unsafe practice. So she goes down to the DMV and takes all the tests, mind you just to get her I.D., and she passes the tests (even the sight one!) and is then re-issued her new license to drive. Sometimes it's the .gov that has a bit of a problem recognizing and implimenting the changes on their end so that they ensure that competent drivers are ones who receive license renewal's. My guess is they really didn't care and were more interested in the revenue. I'm sure each state has different regulations so mileage might vary depending on each state. |
Years back I was in a Kalifornia DMV renewing my license. There was a little old lady in front of me who was taking the eye exam. Two parts of the exam, look at line 3 on the chart hanging in back of the counter person, and look into a machine that tests for depth perception. The depth perception has three "Caution" signs and you have to pick out the one that appears closer to you. She looked into the machine and took a guess. Wrong, look again. Next guess, wrong. Look again. Ah Ha! Process of elimination and she gets it right on the 3rd try. She passes and moves on to the driving exam. I get to the counter and ask the DMV lady why she didn't fail the old lady and not give her a license when it was obvious she did not have the visual skills necessary to safely operate a motor vehicle. The DMV's response " It is our job to help people get a license, not prevent them from it". Gotta' love the stupid bureaucracy/ Semper Fi! |
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When I'm in the left turn lane at a full stop waiting for the turn signel,I can't tell you the number of people that don't know how to make a left turn! They damn nigh hit your left front fender while yaking on thier cell phones(ever hear of a 90 degree turn?) course in there defence there is a curved white line they could follow(and it don't curve into mine)! My old truck(an 81 cheyanne 4x4,straight six(250) was bought and broke in at 70 mph)and thats her sweet spot,she quits vibrating and mellows out there! You young drivers just don't have enough wheel time to know about comfort zones(distance between vehicles at givin speeds)when I'm running 70 MPH and you zoom around and get in front of me I will slow down to establish that zone again! I see drivers behind me slipping thier cars back and forth,just like indy cars I think WTF can they be thinking? They are just young kids in hot cars that have forgotten that this is a shared highway,I may not pay more taxes than they have for a right to use this highway,but I have damn sure payed longer for thi right! And if they want to get ahead of me then they might want to get moving a little earlier! But don't ride my ass at any speed,I may just flip you off and drive slower! Just keep it civil,cause excesive speed allways puts Mr Murphy in your back seat! Bob 
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I nearly got smacked a few weeks ago by an old guy in an old-ass Caddy. He was the stereotypical old guy, down to looking in between the steering wheel and the dash. He blew through a red light for two 6 lane interecting roads and nearly hit me head on, since I was stopped in traffic opposite him. I'll never figure out how he crossed a total of seven lanes of rush hour roadway without getting tagged. 
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I'm with you there I'm or was 626E-10 heavy Equipment (dozer operater,cat-12,self propelled ,and dozer pushed pan scrapper )have driven heavy Multi-fueled jumbo steel tracked hauling rigs up and down the highways! I've had engine failures with damn near all system failure coming down the Tiger mountains in Georgia,with a co-driver damn near suffering cardiac arrest! I've been across the Imjain river and freedom bridge driving a duece and a half up hills on either side full of old shoe-box mines! Been on details with ROK soldiers just filling sandbags to keep roads open to take lookouts to pambminjoinge! I've probably forgotten more about driving than you will ever know! So forgive me if I take exception that you don't take every case,as just that! And yes there are farm boys here(maybe 80 years old) that piloted shermans,cause us old country boys that can repair and keep a chain going on a swather! Get over yourself there are many of us old panthers that are quicker than your reaction time(I would mention the many pilots here)! I'm quick and responsive,just don't have the endurance that I once had! Test me and test me often,what I do have is patence,and an agenda! If you want to drive your ricer at 120 just do it,I will only ocupie about 17 feet,just stay out of my space! Bob |
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Since I just got home from work let me clarify the diagram for those of you who can't understand it's difficult to diagram a intersection if you don't have intersection diagraming tools, only microsoft paint. It is a 3 lane (each way) road. The left hand turn lane has 2 lanes. I was in the outside lane, and she was in the inside lane. The intersection was freshly redone, pavement is as black as it ever will be, and the paint is as white as it can be. There is that dotted line going through the intersection showing where your lane is through the turn. My lane went from the outside turn lane into the middle lane (on a 3 lane road). Her lane went into the very left lane of that same road. During the turn she failed to stay on her side of the lane, coming into contact with my 1 year old truck that until today, had nary a scratch on it (except in the bed, which all trucks should be scratched a bit in the bed). On older drivers: If you can see, and percieve depth, then you shouldn't have a problem taking a test at the DMV. The only ones that should be upset about this are the one's that know they can't. If you can drive, I don't care if you drive fast or slow (I drive slow and I'm 24) as long as you aren't a danger to others (means maintaining at least a close semblance of the speed limit: 25 in a 50 is NOT ok because you are a hazard.) I wish that sight, depth perception, hearing, motor skills etc did not deteriorate as a person aged, because this point would be moot. However not everyone is capable of operating a car at 30, and those same people will be much worse at 88. If you don't like it, we can disagree. If you are a hazard, and the only reason you won't stop endangering other's lives is by hitting someone else and hurting/killing them because of your stubborness, then you are selfish. BTW: I drive a 2005 f150 with a standard tranny and a 6 cyllendar. It's not fast off the line, and I don't drive fast. I don't speed excessivly. I have never been over 85MPH (in a 75 MPH zone with no traffic). The only "ricer" I ever had was bone stock as it came from the factory. I've had more trucks than I have owned cars. Your generalization about me being a young punk is just about as far off base as you assuming that I mean all older drivers, versus the ones that actually need to be taken off the road (and the only way to discern between the ok, and not ok drivers is to not give them a 10 year DL renewal time and test at renewal). If you served in WWII, Viet nam, etc, thank you for your service, however serving in a war does not automatically mean that you are still compotent (and I'm not saying who is and who isn't, it's just not true). Get mad, etc if you must. However since there are LOTS of old people in FL the problem is exaserbated. I've had many other close calls (attempted to merge into a land that I was occupying along side, pulling out from behind a red turn arrow into a 50 MPH zone right as I get to the intersection, etc). Come here and live in FL and see for yourself, its a problem. Not saying that younger people don't make mistakes, but why do you feel that you are entitled to make mistakes then basically I should accept that because you are old? What's the difference between a 24 year old pulling out in front of me, and a 88 year old? The 88 year old might have a condition (maybe, maybe not) that caused it. I've seen older drivers take open doors off of cars in residential areas, where the driver was about to exit the vehicle, etc). |
Whats the matter grandma didn't bake you any cookies.
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So, she was on the inside lane in the turn, and she was supposed to stay in the inside lane once the turn was completed. You were in the "middle" lane of the 3 lanes, and your turn lane went into the middle lane on the desired road, correct? Was making a wide turn into the outermost lane an option for you? While it sucks that she went out of her lane (according to you), the possibility exists that you may have had an "out". When I'm making a left turn and there is another lane beside me, I'm always watching the driver next to me to make sure they are maintaining their proper lane. |