I think the answer to this question was just given to you by the 80 year old man that plowed into that California farm market, killing 8 people (including a 3 yr old girl) injuring 55! The reports from witness say that he just kept on driving with a "befuddled" look on his face, as people were trap under his car getting dragged along. I hope this is enough evidence for mandatory testing of the elderly to be instated. If not talk to the mother of the dead 3 year old girl!

 

"First off a professional driver would be able to differentiate the between a slow moving car & and a within the speed limit car without having to get into an emergency situation and drive around this car without any problem.


I find the biggest thing is that people want to drive the way THEY want to not according to the laws & rules of the road.

I don't have a problem with someone going 10 -15 under the posted speed limit.
I drive within the rules of the road." Mil1ion


Its not the professional drivers that cant see or judge speed its the ones that are not watching there driving like they should.
It sound like you are saying speed kills. Its the ones that exceed the speed limits that kill.But to driveing 10-15 under the posted speed limit kills just as many.The age diffrence plays no part in this.
I drive every work day in a city full of elderly people and yes most of them have no place to go and all day to get there,so they dont do a real good job of getting there.They drive like they went and you just better GET OUT of there way. Yes I do see it everyday,they just dont look or cant turn there head to look they just go for it to heck with everybody else. Yes they need a YEARLY TEST FROM 70 TO ----And if I make it to 70 I would take the test!!

 

OK, we really do need to stop the discrimination. Test EVERYONE at two year intervals, half every other year. Odds or evens, by birthdate, SSN or whatever you like. Then test them for driving skills, written exam, IQ test, and complete drug screening. Flunk one, flunk all! Let's face it, mass transit would flourish, smoggy air would be reduced, and the roads would be considerably less crowded. Driving is not a right as defined in the constitution, it is a privilege. Let's make sure it is done right, or not done at all.

 

It is because (generally) they drive fewer miles per year. For example, my mom has a 92 Town Car w/ 51,000 miles on it. Her "daily driver" is a '02 Taurus w/ 3400 miles on it. She gets discounts on her insurance because of less mileage and because she's retired. So those of you who are retired, don't tell your insurance company that you all are racking up the miles because you are running the roads 24/7 !

 

He may have been having a stroke. Any one consider that possibility yet? A stroke can happen at ANY age, not just elderly people. In any case, my thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. It is a terrible tragedy. I'm also thinking about the driver of the vehicle. That's a tremendous burden that he'll have to bear.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by 79Lariat
OK, we really do need to stop the discrimination.


Works for me. I've said basically the same thing for years.

 

The guy in Cali that ran through the farmer's market allegedly hit the gas instead of the brake.

I'm 19 and travel 30+ miles everyday. The majority of people I see doing stupid things is those in their 30's with their young children in the back seats. Then they have the nerve to yell at teens for thier driving. Everyone should be tested periodically. The DMV should just send a notice out that you need to take the test again by such and such a date. I have seen to many accidents for my three years on the roads.

 

im with matthew just send a letter in the mail telling you you need to take a test. as for older people go i have seen them do somethings taht are really bad. for example one day we were driving and this old lady in a lincoln towncar and i swear she was lookin between the sterring wheel and the dash she just pulled off the road and onto the sidewalk then the grass to go to a gas station and if she would of been about 3ft to the left she would of went of a good 10ft drop off so yes i think older people should have to take a driving test every year