85 Year Old Hits Gas And Not The Brakes!!!! WTF

[SteelCamaro]

Originally Posted by ChrisBlair

Guys it was an unfortunate thing and it seems nobody was hurt. There's a lot of, well, anger here directed towards senior drivers.

The fact is that senior drivers make up a lower percentage of drivers than say, teenage drivers, and statistically, it has been shown that teenage drivers are usually more dangerous. While seniors have a high 'accident per mile' rating, similar to teens, they drive less. And historically, automobile accidents are a top (if not THE top) cause of teenage death.

These incidents described in this thread should not have happened, but let's not pretend that bone-headed plays are the province of solely the old. I'm sure each of us could, if it were possible, conduct very simple tests on the first 100 drivers we see today, and determine that 10 or 15 percent of them, regardless of age, do not understand what they are doing behind the wheel.

And Drew. Horsewhipping? I hope my dog never pees on your lawn, I might have my hands chopped off.

Teenagers are dangerous because of things well within their control (i.e. texting, phone, radio, lack of experience, etc.). Those are all easily fixable and more of a problem with our society in general. You can't just repair an 85 year old person's reflexes and awareness (or lack thereof). I can't tell you how many times I've noticed some car up ahead going ridiculously slower than the flow of traffic (which is just as hazardous as speeding), swerving, or whatever, and got closer to see that it's gramps with a handicapped tag who can barely see over the steering wheel. I don't recall ever noticing a car from far away driving erratically and immediately thinking, "Man, must be a teenager."

I agree that, as a whole, there are far too many incompetent drivers on the road. I'm all for stricter driving tests, as well as the notion that there should be some type of retesting or recertification implemented after a certain age.

[Ledzepx]

WTF! Sorry about your car. Is it just me but the driver looks blank. Like nothing happened.

[bobby35ny]

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

I'm in the auxiliary academy for FHP right now and we literally had an entire unit on how to deal with the elderly.

Unfortunately it's not that easy to just pull their license and say have a nice day. You'll have to contact neighbors or next of kin to arrange something since he/she will still need to go to the groceries or pick up prescriptions. Then a lot of times there's emotional distress since for many, driving is one of the few independent things they have left. There's been a few cases where revoking an elderly person's license has led to Baker Act.

Hopefully they just total OP's car and he can get into a 6th gen or something.

Cut a long story short, Up in NY gave an 80yr a ticket for UNDER min speed, just to get him into traffic court. Judge asked why, told him, this man needs to be retested he cant drive anymore. Judge found him Guilty on the min speed BUT could NOT force him to retake a drivers test.

OT:: Run from FHP, that organization in just rotten to the core, right from the top.

-Bobby

[jshaf]

the elderly don't want to lose there freedom and the ability to drive is a lot of freedom. remember when my Dad got so he couldn't drive effectively, breaking it to him that he was putting people in harms way was one of the hardest things I have ever done. even then it took him running in to a power poll for him to realize it was for the better him stop. it is very sad but it is an inevitable fact of life. I always think back to my dad and his 1970 442 Olds, and the joy he got from driving it. for him to stop driving must have ripped a part of his dignity away. Sad. hope OP gets treated right by the insurance company! 16 2SS on the way? if so be sure to enjoy it. life is fleeting!

[Flotek]

All people over 75 should be required to take the drivers test over again. And then do updates every 5 years after . They make 16 year olds do it why not the decripid elderly

[UFO's_A51]

Originally Posted by SteelCamaro

Teenagers are dangerous because of things well within their control (i.e. texting, phone, radio, lack of experience, etc.). Those are all easily fixable and more of a problem with our society in general. You can't just repair an 85 year old person's reflexes and awareness (or lack thereof). I can't tell you how many times I've noticed some car up ahead going ridiculously slower than the flow of traffic (which is just as hazardous as speeding), swerving, or whatever, and got closer to see that it's gramps with a handicapped tag who can barely see over the steering wheel. I don't recall ever noticing a car from far away driving erratically and immediately thinking, "Man, must be a teenager.".

I totally agree with you on this.

Originally Posted by SteelCamaro

I agree that, as a whole, there are far too many incompetent drivers on the road. I'm all for stricter driving tests as well as the notion that there should be some type of retesting or recertification implemented after a certain age.

People at that age shouldn't be driving, period.

[quickdrraw]

Forgot how sue happy America was.

GL with your car. Glad no one was hurt.

[Sam94]

Originally Posted by ChrisBlair

Guys it was an unfortunate thing and it seems nobody was hurt. There's a lot of, well, anger here directed towards senior drivers.

The fact is that senior drivers make up a lower percentage of drivers than say, teenage drivers, and statistically, it has been shown that teenage drivers are usually more dangerous. While seniors have a high 'accident per mile' rating, similar to teens, they drive less. And historically, automobile accidents are a top (if not THE top) cause of teenage death.

These incidents described in this thread should not have happened, but let's not pretend that bone-headed plays are the province of solely the old. I'm sure each of us could, if it were possible, conduct very simple tests on the first 100 drivers we see today, and determine that 10 or 15 percent of them, regardless of age, do not understand what they are doing behind the wheel.

And Drew. Horsewhipping? I hope my dog never pees on your lawn, I might have my hands chopped off.

Not here in South Florida !! Its like the Walking Dead in real life. The roads here are wide with plenty of room but they still crash into you. I agree with retesting after a certain year but we know that will never happen...

[MrChrisLS3]

Originally Posted by ChrisBlair

Guys it was an unfortunate thing and it seems nobody was hurt. There's a lot of, well, anger here directed towards senior drivers.

The fact is that senior drivers make up a lower percentage of drivers than say, teenage drivers, and statistically, it has been shown that teenage drivers are usually more dangerous. While seniors have a high 'accident per mile' rating, similar to teens, they drive less. And historically, automobile accidents are a top (if not THE top) cause of teenage death.

These incidents described in this thread should not have happened, but let's not pretend that bone-headed plays are the province of solely the old. I'm sure each of us could, if it were possible, conduct very simple tests on the first 100 drivers we see today, and determine that 10 or 15 percent of them, regardless of age, do not understand what they are doing behind the wheel.

And Drew. Horsewhipping? I hope my dog never pees on your lawn, I might have my hands chopped off.

First, sorry to the OP, it really sucks when things like this happen, hopefully in the end, all will be well. Also good that nobody got injured.

I agree that teen drivers are the more dangerous of the two. However, the real difference is speed. Teen drivers tend to make their mistakes at a much higher rate of speed, making it difficult to avoid the wreck.

For the elderly, it's a much different scenario. When things like senility, combined with reduction or loss of reflex reaction set in, it can almost be as bad as if you or I drank a 12 pack of beer and went for a drive. The difference for the elderly driver, is that this is a constant condition, and worsens slowly over time. The other part is the question of how many accidents occur when other drivers are attempting to avoid the elderly driver making a mistake.

From a political standpoint, it would be suicide for any politician to write a bill requiring testing after a certain age. I'm not sure that would be effective anyway. I would propose that all drivers be required to take a driving and written test at least every six years, or upon renewal. The fact is, that as many states have the system set up, the renewal process is more fund raising than public safety, just trading in the old picture for the new one. I really feel that there are a lot of drivers, in all age groups, that have forgotten many of the 'rules of the road', or have developed so many bad driving habits that they are habitual dangers to public safety. A periodic retest of all drivers would make us all brush up on safe driving techniques on a regular basis.

Regular retesting of all drivers would also systematically catch those that are no longer able to drive safely, without discriminating the elderly as a class. We would no longer have the responsibility of trying to tell our elderly parents, or ourselves, for that matter, when it was time to hang up the keys.

I also believe that by making people brush up on traffic laws and safe driving practices, like zipper merge, round a bouts, passing lanes, etc we not only make roads safer, but relieve congestion as there would be less 'idiots' that "don't know how to drive".

[ChrisBlair]

Originally Posted by SteelCamaro

Teenagers are dangerous because of things well within their control (i.e. texting, phone, radio, lack of experience, etc.). Those are all easily fixable and more of a problem with our society in general. You can't just repair an 85 year old person's reflexes and awareness (or lack thereof). I can't tell you how many times I've noticed some car up ahead going ridiculously slower than the flow of traffic (which is just as hazardous as speeding), swerving, or whatever, and got closer to see that it's gramps with a handicapped tag who can barely see over the steering wheel. I don't recall ever noticing a car from far away driving erratically and immediately thinking, "Man, must be a teenager."

I agree that, as a whole, there are far too many incompetent drivers on the road. I'm all for stricter driving tests, as well as the notion that there should be some type of retesting or recertification implemented after a certain age.

Easily fixable...


If it is so easily fixable, how how come it is not fixed right now? And how is it better to have a danger due to circumstances beyond control replaced by a danger that is within a control but is not?

Reflexes? Short story. At 19 I was almost killed by a van that blew a stop sign at 40 mph and hit my car right behind the driver's door. My car was built in 1969. Convertible, no shoulder belts, and seat belts were not the law yet. No airbags, crumple zones etc. I was doing about 5mph. The van traveled about 25 yards between when I saw it cresting the hill, and that it would not stop and that it would hit me. My very keen reflexes didn't mean a thing. This isn't catching a cup falling from a table. And awareness? Q: What do teens look at most of the time? A: their cellphone.

I will agree that neither circumstances- unaware or incapable elderly OR inattentive and foolish teenager- is safe. What I will not agree with is that an elderly driver is worse compared to a teen because of the senior driver's reflexes or awareness.

I didn't make up the bit about teens and dangerous driving per mile or cause of death. Studies have been done on this subject; its not my opinion. The elderly are easier to spot, and that is all. Just like "all SUV drivers do this..." or "All Prius drivers do that...". No they don;t. They do something or drive something that makes them noticeable. For every senior driver you notice, how many did you not?

[matthew9440]

That sucks! So bad!

[SteelCamaro]

Originally Posted by ChrisBlair

Easily fixable...


If it is so easily fixable, how how come it is not fixed right now? And how is it better to have a danger due to circumstances beyond control replaced by a danger that is within a control but is not?

Reflexes? Short story. At 19 I was almost killed by a van that blew a stop sign at 40 mph and hit my car right behind the driver's door. My car was built in 1969. Convertible, no shoulder belts, and seat belts were not the law yet. No airbags, crumple zones etc. I was doing about 5mph. The van traveled about 25 yards between when I saw it cresting the hill, and that it would not stop and that it would hit me. My very keen reflexes didn't mean a thing. This isn't catching a cup falling from a table. And awareness? Q: What do teens look at most of the time? A: their cellphone.

I will agree that neither circumstances- unaware or incapable elderly OR inattentive and foolish teenager- is safe. What I will not agree with is that an elderly driver is worse compared to a teen because of the senior driver's reflexes or awareness.

I didn't make up the bit about teens and dangerous driving per mile or cause of death. Studies have been done on this subject; its not my opinion. The elderly are easier to spot, and that is all. Just like "all SUV drivers do this..." or "All Prius drivers do that...". No they don;t. They do something or drive something that makes them noticeable. For every senior driver you notice, how many did you not?

Trust me, I hear you. I was out washing my Camaro about 2 weeks ago and some younger kid in a Civic was rubbernecking and rear-ended the car in front of him, right in front of my house. Like I said, it's a larger problem within our society as a whole, that's why it's not fixed right now. If you have an answer on how to make everyone gain some attention span and be less dependent on the little device they carry in their pocket, then let me know, because we are definitely headed in the opposite direction.

That being said, if a teenager simply eliminates all distractions while driving, like putting their phone down, turning off the radio, not fooling around with friends, etc., they are MUCH LESS likely to get into an accident. Whereas someone 85 years old can't just turn back a dial and all of a sudden gain the awareness, reaction time, and reflexes they possessed 50 years prior in order to stop in time, or make a quick decision if needed. Obviously accidents which aren't really that person's fault (such as yours when you were 19) are an exception, however, BOTH in the OP's case were completely preventable, and there really wasn't any excuse for either. I'll take my chances with an un-distracted teenager over an un-distracted elderly person.

[rontammy0]

Originally Posted by drew peacock

the old bat should be publicly horsewhipped for doing that..then take her liscence and burn the bloody thing.

at 80 it should be compulsory retest eyetest every 2 years...

Really.......i see way younger drivers on the road everyday that dont have the being a senior excuse for being bad at it. There are more bad drivers on the road now then ever before. Remember one day you will be that senior citizen behind the wheel......hope you appreciate your horse whipping.

[SteelCamaro]

Originally Posted by MrChrisLS3

However, the real difference is speed. Teen drivers tend to make their mistakes at a much higher rate of speed, making it difficult to avoid the wreck.

For the elderly, it's a much different scenario. When things like senility, combined with reduction or loss of reflex reaction set in, it can almost be as bad as if you or I drank a 12 pack of beer and went for a drive. The difference for the elderly driver, is that this is a constant condition, and worsens slowly over time. The other part is the question of how many accidents occur when other drivers are attempting to avoid the elderly driver making a mistake.

Agreed. It seems that most issues with teenager drivers are preventable, and based more solely on bad decision-making.