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Wendy
SFN Regular
USA
614 Posts |
 Posted - 01/21/2005 : 07:55:59
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Like most drivers, I've driven behind an elderly person on many occasions who was driving twenty miles under the speed limit and seemed confused, at best. I admire these individuals for retaining their independence, but I know from personal experience (my 79 year-old father was in a serious automobile accident) they can be a danger to themselves and others.
I was reading this article about the duty each state has to protect its citizens from dangerous older drivers. It brings me to the question:
Should there be a mandatory age at which drivers are re-tested on the road?
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Millions long for immortality who don't know what to do on a rainy afternoon.
-- Susan Ertz
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Valiant Dancer
Forum Goalie
USA
4826 Posts |
Posted - 01/21/2005 : 08:05:29 [Permalink]
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quote:
Originally posted by Wendy
Like most drivers, I've driven behind an elderly person on many occasions who was driving twenty miles under the speed limit and seemed confused, at best. I admire these individuals for retaining their independence, but I know from personal experience (my 79 year-old father was in a serious automobile accident) they can be a danger to themselves and others.
I was reading this article about the duty each state has to protect its citizens from dangerous older drivers. It brings me to the question:
Should there be a mandatory age at which drivers are re-tested on the road?
Wendy,
Here in Illinois, we have a licensure program where you renew every four years. At 75, it's two. At 80, it's every year. At 85, it's every year + road.
Seems to work pretty well in keeping an eye on the aging population and trying to judge when the people go into a state of physical decline.
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Wendy
SFN Regular
USA
614 Posts |
Posted - 01/21/2005 : 08:16:09 [Permalink]
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Thank you, Valiant Dancer. We have no such requirements in place in Kentucky at present. Renewal is every four years. The only requirement is to turn in the old license, take a new picture and pay the fee.
I have mixed feelings about that.
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Millions long for immortality who don't know what to do on a rainy afternoon.
-- Susan Ertz
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Gorgo
SFN Die Hard
USA
5310 Posts |
Posted - 01/21/2005 : 08:42:37 [Permalink]
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| The better question is why doesn't the United States have a decent public transportation system? |
I know the rent is in arrears
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Wendy
SFN Regular
USA
614 Posts |
Posted - 01/21/2005 : 08:48:17 [Permalink]
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quote:
Originally posted by Gorgo
The better question is why doesn't the United States have a decent public transportation system?
That is an excellent question. I suppose the easy answer is lack of funds. 
For people like my father, however, it is more than a matter of just getting where he wants to go. He wants to go where he wants when he wants. Often, he wants to just get out and drive "with no particular place to go". |
Millions long for immortality who don't know what to do on a rainy afternoon.
-- Susan Ertz
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Siberia
SFN Addict
Brazil
2322 Posts |
Posted - 01/21/2005 : 09:24:30 [Permalink]
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| Here, you've to take tests every year, starting at age 70, including physical tests. |
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Dr. Mabuse
Septic Fiend
Sweden
9688 Posts |
Posted - 01/21/2005 : 15:34:15 [Permalink]
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In Sweden you renew every ten years, by just supplying them with some light paperwork and a recent photo.
But when I was politically active, I argued for a system much like Illinois. Didn't get much response other than "yeah, you got a point, but it would be a major pain implementing. And it would take away freedom..."
The only time the license is revoked is if a doctor writes to the traffic authorities to report that a patient is a danger to himself and his surroundings. Which practically never happens.
I once saw a senior citizen driving up the traffic island (refuge?) in front of a rundabout because his mental capacity for handling such a complex situation had become insufficient.
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H. Humbert
SFN Die Hard
USA
4574 Posts |
Posted - 01/21/2005 : 15:43:00 [Permalink]
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quote:
Originally posted by Wendy
quote:
Originally posted by Gorgo
The better question is why doesn't the United States have a decent public transportation system?
That is an excellent question. I suppose the easy answer is lack of funds.
I think it has to do less with funds than with "urban sprawl." Living centers are far less concentrated here in the States. A 20 minute drive to the grocery store is not uncommon in parts. How could you possible build a public system that could accomodate everyone?
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"A man is his own easiest dupe, for what he wishes to be true he generally believes to be true." --Demosthenes
"The first principle is that you must not fool yourself - and you are the easiest person to fool." --Richard P. Feynman
"Face facts with dignity." --found inside a fortune cookie |
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Gorgo
SFN Die Hard
USA
5310 Posts |
Posted - 01/21/2005 : 18:56:45 [Permalink]
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Isn't the reason for the twenty minute drive traffic? Wouldn't traffic be greatly reduced with an efficient, clean, safe public transportation system?
quote:
Originally posted by H. Humbert
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana,Arial,Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Wendy
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana,Arial,Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Gorgo
The better question is why doesn't the United States have a decent public transportation system?
That is an excellent question. I suppose the easy answer is lack of funds. [/quote]
I think it has to do less with funds than with "urban sprawl." Living centers are far less concentrated here in the States. A 20 minute drive to the grocery store is not uncommon in parts. How could you possible build a public system that could accomodate everyone?
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I know the rent is in arrears
The dog has not been fed in years
It's even worse than it appears
But it's alright-
Jerry Garcia
Robert Hunter
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H. Humbert
SFN Die Hard
USA
4574 Posts |
Posted - 01/21/2005 : 19:22:37 [Permalink]
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quote:
Originally posted by Gorgo
Isn't the reason for the twenty minute drive traffic? Wouldn't traffic be greatly reduced with an efficient, clean, safe public transportation system?
No. The main reason is distance. Look, outside of big cities, mass transit quickly becomes unfeasible.
Hypothetically, I live on a country route. You honestly think there is a public transportation system that can get me from my house to work, church, the supermarket, the cleaners, the day care center, the hardware store, and the mall cheaply and reliably? Outside of calling the cab company, it isn't going to happen. Driving is far more efficient for most people, both in time and expense. What takes 20 minutes by car could take an hour and three bus transfers by public transit...not to mention a fair bit of walking to get to the first pickup stop.
Until you develop a teleporter machine, mass transit is only a partial solution for heavily congested areas. 99% people could not function without a car. This country was designed to be traversed by automobiles.
Oh, and have you ever trying taking home your groceries for a family of four on the bus? Yeah, that's my point. Saying people just shouldn't drive is like the catholic church saying we can end teen pregnancy if we just got them to stop having sex. It's never going to happen.
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"A man is his own easiest dupe, for what he wishes to be true he generally believes to be true." --Demosthenes
"The first principle is that you must not fool yourself - and you are the easiest person to fool." --Richard P. Feynman
"Face facts with dignity." --found inside a fortune cookie |
| Edited by - H. Humbert on 01/21/2005 19:32:48 |
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beskeptigal
SFN Die Hard
USA
3834 Posts |
Posted - 01/22/2005 : 01:54:23 [Permalink]
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When I was in college and much younger, my grandparents visited and I rode home with them, (OR to CA). It was terrifying!
My grandpa had to slow to about 30 mph to read the freeway sign that said which lane to be in when he came to an exchange like 101 to the right and I5 to the left.
There needs to be restrictions but I think a lot of old folks really can still drive short distances from home like to the store. It's very hard on them when they lose their mobility. I think a lot of folks self limit like giving up night driving. But some are in denial about their loss of skills, like my grandpa was.
He doesn't drive now in case anyone is concerned. He's dead. And he never did have any accidents despite his impairment. |
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