Elderly driver hit and run...bizarre story

[RitaZ.]

Sadly, I'm not surprised. He should definitely not have had a license. The scary part is that many of them don't have a current license and they still drive.

DH was in an auto accident years ago where an elderly driver (70's) hit his car. The elderly driver made an illegal U-turn and didn't even see DH's car. When the police arrived, the officer determined that the man had an expired license, no insurance (obviously) and was hard of hearing.

You do have to be very careful when driving around the retirement communities.

 

[eclectics]

I think a fair compromise would be to have a mandatory annual test for seniors over a certain age. Like another poster said, "we don't give 10 year olds licenses because they are unable to operate a vehicle safely". The same is true for the other end of the spectrum. Some seniors are great drivers, but most (wether they admit it or not) have reflex issues that sometimes have deadly consequences. My own mom gave up her license on her own when she realized she was putting herself, and others, in danger. A lot, however, simply refuse to acknowledge any diminished function and continue to drive because the law says they can. Sadly, this sometimes ends in tragedy. The annual test would continue to give seniors who are judged able, the privilege of driving. I doubt the AARP will go for this, or any mandatory testing. It's a shame because it is a growing hazard. A lot of people say, whenever this issue comes up, "Well, the 17-20 year olds are really the worst drivers and they are the ones that kill the most innocents". That may well be true, but I think that is a different debate altogether and really should have nothing to do with the "senior" issue.

 

[momof2inPA]

A lot of people say, whenever this issue comes up, "Well, the 17-20 year olds are really the worst drivers and they are the ones that kill the most innocents". That may well be true, but I think that is a different debate altogether and really should have nothing to do with the "senior" issue.

Mandatory testing seems like a good idea, but discussion of it opens up a whole can of worms. There was a study done recently, where it was concluded that talking on a cell phone, even with the hands free headset, slows a person's reflexes to that of the average seventy-two year old. So, if you have seniors' driving questioned, what about limiting cell phone use or prohibiting movie screens in cars, especially the front seats of cars, etc.

Here's a senior bad driver story, though. On the day after the Pope died, a lot of the elderly made a special trip to Church. A senior was pulling out of his parking space after mass, and hit another car, hard not just a tap. The senior then backs up and takes off- at CHURCH. There were more than a few witnesses, including the owner of the hit car, who just threw up his hands and shook his head.

Then, there was the poor lady, looked to be about 100, who nearly ran into me in the parking lot of the grocery when I was carrying my newborn son. She had dents in her car, like she had hit something before. I was pretty ticked until I saw her wandering around the grocery with a bewildered expression, like she didn't know what to buy. I would have called the police or done something if I would have had any idea what to do.

 

[Planogirl]

I agree that many seniors should not be driving. But then I wonder how they would get around if they lost their licenses? Not everyone lives in areas with transit or has family to cart them around.

 

[lvs_eeyore]

Doctors are notorious for not reporting senior drivers who should not be driving. Case in point....I worked for an opthalmologist and we had a senior patient come in complaining that she was seeing green butterflies and purple dragons all over the place. The doctor looked at her, said there was nothing physically wrong with her vision, and sent her on her way. I was furious and asked why he didnt call the family to pick her up and call motor vehicles to recommend that her license be taken away. He said he didnt want to get sued. This woman then got in a car and promptly backed into a pole in the parking lot of our building. I lost every bit of respect I had for my boss that day. Only one doctor I have ever worked for got in touch with the DMV over a patient that he knew shouldnt be driving.

 

[eclectics]

I agree that many seniors should not be driving. But then I wonder how they would get around if they lost their licenses? Not everyone lives in areas with transit or has family to cart them around.

That's a very good point but it leads us to the question; what is more important, my safety or that seniors quality of life ? How can you choose? It's a tough subject with no easy answers.

 

[ducklite]

My husband was leaning against his car (actually it was MY car that he was driving for some reason that day!) chatting with a friend he ran into a convenience store when he felt the car nudging. He looked back and there was a guy in another car backing into mine, the guy kept his foot on teh gas and couldn't understand why his car wasn't moving!

About six months later he had another old guy put it into reverse and back into him while waiting in line for the autoteller at the bank. That guy didn't know he was behind him either.

My mom (74) has told all of her kids that if we ever think she needs to stop driving, to say so and she will sell her car. What she refuses to do is give up her license, she says she needs it for ID. Fair enough I guess, although I'll try to talk her into surrendering it and just getting a photo ID from DMV instead.

Anne

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

I know my mom finally got some manner of "non-driving ID" after she surrendered her license. I think it was from the DMV in CT.

It can be really, really hard to get the elderly to give up driving. It's hard enough seeing them slow down, and especially if there's a form of dementia involved. It's not the same thing, but my mom was recently hospitalized with bipolar and dementia, and even IN THE HOSPITAL, was still claiming she would go back to her own apartement and spend time volunteering at the Catholic school across the street. Nice thought, but, um, she was in there because she was threatening to slash the dog's throat--I'm not seeing the school welcoming her with open arms! But here we were, finding her an assisted living facility, and she thinks she's going about her merry single life. I know it's a little OT, but it can just be so hard to deal with--in our case, the bipolarity is what was the more critical factor.