Elderly Drivers

[ichi]

Man Drives Through Toll With Body on Car

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) - A 93-year-old driver apparently suffering from dementia fatally struck a pedestrian and drove for three miles with the man's body through his windshield, police said.

Ralph Parker was stopped after he drove through a toll booth on the Sunshine Skyway, Traffic Homicide Investigator Michael Jockers said. The toll taker called police, he said.

Parker was not likely to face charges because he did not appear to know what happened or where he was, said Bruce Bartlett, chief assistant in the Pinellas-Pasco County State Attorney's Office.

``He may have somewhere in his mind have realized it was a crash, but immediately forgot about it,'' Jockers said.

The victim's leg was severed in the Wednesday night crash, police said. The man, whose name was not released, was 52.

Parker had renewed his license in 2003.

``That was the one thing he had, to get in his car and just drive for the sheer enjoyment of driving,'' Jockers said. Parker lived alone after his wife died in 1998, authorities said.

The city where I live is heavily populated by retirees, many of whom drive well past the point in life when they can see and react well enough to compete on the mean streets.

They represent a huge voting block so politicians are afraid to take on the issue, but at what point should elderly cease driving. Remember that driving represents the American dream and in many cities walking is not an option - we are a car culture - and that turning in your drivers license is one small step closer to your grave. I may have trouble resigning mine when the time comes, even though I know its the right thing to do.

Wha'dya think?

ichi

[Geoffrey S]

There should be some kind of mandatory age limit on driving. My grandfather for instance should not be allowed to drive the way he does, but thus far he won't listen to reason nor has he had to hand in his license.

[Ronin]

i don´t think there should be a mandatory age.....since some people get to 80 in rather good shape as others are a wreck by the time they hit 60...

what I think is that after a certain age...maybe 60-65, you should have to undergo a annual strict medical exam to hold onto your licence.

[English assassin]

what I think is that after a certain age...maybe 60-65, you should have to undergo a annual strict medical exam to hold onto your licence

That's how it works here, over 70 and you have to get a certificate from your doctor that you are medically fit to drive, once every three years. Seems a reasonable compromise to me.

[yesdachi]

I don’t really think age should be the deciding factor either.

There are plenty of elderly drivers that are still good drivers (especially compared to some teens ). But I do think after a certain age they should get at least annual checkups that record reaction time and vision. As it is now, I think there are 4 years that pass before another driving “test” is required for license renewal. I’m sure everyone knows how fast a person, especially an elderly person’s health can deteriorate in 4 years! And IMO the current test (at least in MI, USA) is a 10-question joke that can be taken repeatedly until passed.

[Sjakihata]

I think in Denmark, when you pass the age of 65 - you reguarly have to go to sessions where you will be evaluated if you are still suitable to control a car. These tests are quite through.

I don't think a limit is the answer, as many 70s old are capable of driving. I think tests and observations, every 5th year after 50 and every 2nd year after 70 or something similar

[Ldvs]

On one hand, compulsory withdrawal of the driving licence once one reaches a certain age would be safer, for everyone. On the other hand, it's also depriving able people of their right to move freely (at a higher speed than on foot, that is ) and enjoying fully the remaining of their life. The fairest solution would probably be to enforce annual health checks when you reach, say 65-70. Of course this solution would be more costly.

On a side note, young drunkards are as dangerous as senile drivers, if not more.

[drone]

As someone who has driven in Florida (aka God's Waiting Room) a few times, I've seen some pretty bad driving (I guess "aimless" is the best way to describe it).. I don't think there is a fixed age in which you can tell people they can't drive. But I wouldn't have a problem with traffic police giving tickets for the usual infractions (running stop lights, random lane changes, wearing a hat, etc.) which result in points buildups and eventual revoking of a license. They need to be more agressive with this, the elderly probably get away with more than they should on the roads.

Some elderly people drive very well, although usually too slow for me. Don't see why they should be punished without cause.

[Togakure]

... ... at what point should elderly cease driving. ... Wha'dya think?

ichi

They should stop driving when they can no longer pass both the written and applied exams required for a Driver's License. They should be evaluated annually (both the written and driving exams) once they reach a certain age (the specific age determined by certified objective studies). They should have vision (corrected is ok) that qualifies them to drive, per the standard driving requirements. Any mental deficiencies that would impede their ability to drive properly should disqualify them.

My paternal grandfather is 96 and is currently undergoing an in-depth evaluation of his ability to drive. He has a problem in one eye, but claims it doesn't affect his ability to drive. He is a very rational and reasonable man, and is going through all the required examinations and interviews. He grumbles at the thought, but is resigned to giving up his driving privileges if it's determined that he is no longer qualified to drive.

I guess he'll have to catch a ride to get to his weekly Bridge games and bowling, and his lady friends will have to pick him up for lunch and tea.

[Adrian II]

A 93-year-old driver apparently suffering from dementia (..) drove for three miles with the man's body through his windshield (..)

Apparently?

We have a similar rule as the Brits (see English Assassin's post). Seems reasonable. Works reasonably well. There is no electoral opposition to it, on the contrary, but then the demented do not constitute a voting block in The Netherlands.

It just seems that way...

[Red Harvest]

It wouldn't have to be a very restrictive test to weed out the obviously incompetent drivers. The problem is that it is difficult for family to even take away the license of someone they know to be incompetent to drive.

Some questions I've seen asked:
Who is the president?
What color is your car?
What year is it?

If they miss more than one or two of such simple questions, then there mind is most likely failing for one reason or another (could be congestive heart failure, etc.)

Give them a way to automatically appeal, basically allow them to take the full exam again.

I remember when I first got my license, the elderly lady in front of me was renewing and was blind as a bat. The examiner was COACHING her through the eye exam. "I think it's a 'D'." "Close, try again." "An 'L'?" "Keep trying." She passed.

[Soulforged]

I see no problem with it. The only precaution will be doing more frecuent research over this elder drivers. Of course that doesn't seem just too, because the old is passing his life from study to study...But is his choice to drive...

[Gawain of Orkeny]

The simple but ugly solution is having to retake the drivers test every 4 or 5 years whan you renew your license. This would be mandatory for everyone and no discrimination could be claimed.

[ichi]

The simple but ugly solution is having to retake the drivers test every 4 or 5 years whan you renew your license. This would be mandatory for everyone and no discrimination could be claimed.

I concur, this would help all ages and maybe weed out a few of the folks who are impaired due to their use of intoxicants

ichi