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I live in S Fl...full of snowbirds...snowbirds that really shouldn't be on the road. They are a danger...they don't look, they can't react quickly, they can't hear, they can't see...and they sure as hell can't tell their right from their left!!
I've had more old folks take left hand turns from the far right lane ( 3 lane road mind you!) than I care to count. They don't change one lane at a time..nope..they just slide straight over and damn the person already in the lane. This happened twice in a 30 min period yesterday afternoon...amazing. Just amazing.
They go 40 on the highway..(75pmh), they don't get the concept of right on red, after a complete stop, they don't look before backing out a parking spot, they just honk and go.( had that happen last week and about got nailed by a caddy)
There's a reason we drive a large SUV filled to the brim with airbags...these snowbirds are horrible drivers. I really feel that once you hit 65 you need to take a yearly driving road test...not a 10 min test either...but a good 30-45 min road test. I know alot of those drivers would lose their license.
100% true ^^^. I too, live in SW Florida and the drivers here are dangerous and terrible, and MOSTLY because of very elderly snowbirds that have no business behind the wheel. Just last week, we had a huge RV do what you described, just turned LEFT from the RIGHT lane and almost nailed us!! I am so afraid to drive around here, it is very stressful. And you constantly read about these old people hitting the GAS instead of the BRAKE and crashing into buildings. Last year an old woman rammed her Mercedes into a big piece of public art RUINING IT. Sure, we got the people of all ages doing the stupid things like texting, etc. but it does not hold a candle to the old farts here, and I am talking OLD not 60s, I am talking in their 80s and up! I wish a mandatory road and vision test would be required every year, and if they can't pass they don't drive!!!
There has been much discussion here, there and everywhere about what catagory of driver is the worst.
Posters that use the 'blanket' theory quickly lose my interest or belief in what they have to say.
I also am in a heavy snowbird/older folks area and the most dangerous actions I encounter are most frequently by the younger drivers
Perhaps the more aggravating may be the older ones but the hazard would be the impatience of the younger ones along with the incessent cell phone use and speed and inconsiderate practices (zooming from lane to lane to gain 1/2 second to the next light, never with signals used, etc etc etc)
When someone of any age has physical or mental deterioration that makes driving dangerous, of course it's necessary to do what can be done but age alone is not a reason.
Yes indeed, we realized that as soon as we said it. I can just see the two of us in jail after having tried to save lives. I like your idea of checking with a lawyer, and I do believe I will give the police a call though I'm fairly certain they will have no helpful information, after all what can they really say. The DMV can take away the license but not the keys and car. The latter is the big one, and as you suggest there are legal issues around it. i wish someone would write a book about how to deal with pigheaded elders. I could write most of it, but luckily my mother gave up driving at 80, on her own. Of course that meant that sis and I had to bring her everywhere and often do her shopping. What we went through to save her and other people's lives.
You were lucky with your mom. At age 81, my dad was given "Doctors orders" to give up driving, as he has Parkinson's. He didn't complain a bit, to my surprise. Of course not, as he has me living with them to watch after them and I can drive them to Dr. appointments or where ever they need to go. I'm the lucky one, who now gets to do the grocery shopping, as he walks so slowly it tends to tire him out. Mom is more homebound. I'm sure she could still drive in case of an emergency, but she doesn't really want to anymore. My license even expires before hers!
This entire statistic is misleading. Young folks drive more than old folks. If the true statistic of comparison for older driver accidents in comparison to miles driven in a year, I believe the numbers would be different and more accurate. As for drug use...seniors are far more likely to be taking medication than younger folks.
Three important points:
1. Range of motion, if an older person cannot turn their neck or body to see clearly behind them and to the side, they should not be driving.
Big point. The most dangerous areas in this, imo, are parking lots. Can't say how many times I have seen seniors pull in and out of parking spaces and lots without even looking, it's like they're living alone in their own little world.
2. Vision: if the vacuity won't pass the driver's license test...it is time to consider alternatives to driving.
On the DMV website in my state it clearly states that starting at age 75 one must do an annual vision test. I would bet that less than one percent of the population knows that. I'm sure the DMV does not send out notices to everyone turning 75; heck, they don't even send out notices anymore to remind you of your expiration. Several friends found out they were driving months past their renewal date. So who's going to enforce this law.
3. Other health issues, COPD, heart issues, stroke, drug use, dementia...
Meds among seniors are at an all-time high according to some reports. Med interactions can cause serious confusion as they do with my sister's FIL, who sometimes still thinks his long departed wife is still alive. I guess that suggests dementia.
If a parent is still driving have a discussion on when it is time to stop driving. When they are already self limiting, like not going out at night, only driving to church or the store, they KNOW there is an issue...
That is the problem. The FIL in question, and so many like him, are not self limiting at all. He plans to drive from one side of the state to the other alone, with all his impediments. Twice a week he drives to his club, at night. It sickens us to think what might happen.
Just found out that sis's FIL had an accident last summer and never told his son or my sister. Son found out much later. No one got hurt, but it was his fault and damage to both cars.
The best solution is to make a report to adult protective services. A worker will come out do an investigation and report driver to police department. This will involve the DMV, and the insurance company of the car if the registered owner can no longer drive.
This way, you are neutral. Let the system do the process. I have been involved in many of these situations. And can scare the be jesus out of folks. The police will tell him in no uncertain terms the criminal penalties of driving without a license. If he is evaluated and deemed unsafe and gets pulled over, he will be facing court and fines. I have watched and investigated seniors reported who continued to drive, Icall the ppolice, because it is a social responsibility, I don't want a child dead, because I would not get involved.
This is a life or death issue. For the incompetent driver, his family, and every single person in the community.
This is a vain, narcissistic old man, who won't admit or face his physical limitations. He has poor insight into his impact on others, that demonstrates a complete disregard for the safety of himself or others.
It is like giving a drunk who just downed a fifth of vodka, and watching them get in a car.... Not my problem. Who would do that?
Just sticky this so that everyone can come back in 10 years and read what they wrote, and apply it to themselves.
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