Too old for jail?

[Snowysmom]

I agree with the incarceration in a locked nursing home floor. He is still better off than the people who died. I do believe that the elderly need to know their limits with driving. My dad, who is very stubborn, thankfully realized a few years ago that it was time to give up driving. Before that, he realized that he could only drive during the day, and only short distances. If this man, who was convicted, had so much distance in which to stop, he should have had enough time to realize his foot was on the wrong pedal and go for the brake. He does need to have some consequences for his actions. If it were a teen, the kid would be in jail for life and everyone would be bemoaning how bad teenage drivers are. There is no cutoff age for punishment for a crime. Just an opinion.

 

[Cool-Beans]

Unless he intended to kill people, I see no reason to jail him. He might be a confused old man. If I were the judge, I'd revoke his license and require him to sell his car (if it is worth anything.)

I wouldn't jail anyone, at any age, for an accident. And old people whose minds have slipped deserve a little special consideration, IMO.

 

[MushyMushy]

Wow! I am totally in the minority here. We're all going to be elderly one day and I'm curious to see how many of the posters here would give up their licenses and independence so easily. Are we ready to drive the elderly everywhere - given that many have to refill their meds and see doctors multiple times during the week?

I'm also curious about these comments he made and if they were taken out of context. When my grandmother became disoriented and totally missed a shelf when she was putting some dishes away (she's in her 80s), she immediately blamed and yelled at everyone around her. She was embarrassed, upset, and confused...and that was about the only reflex working for her at her age.

Sorry, I just don't see this man as a "criminal". I don't know what the right answer is or even if one exists in this case.

If keeping my "independence" means putting others' lives at risk, you can bet I'd give up my license in a heartbeat!

I have elderly parents and my father should not be driving. His reflexes are horribly slow and he can barely see two feet in front of his face. I've offered time and time again to do all the driving for him (as have my dsis, her dh and my own dh), plus we have a senior transport in town that will take them wherever they need to go, but he's too "stubborn" to give up his precious "independence." Even though he's my dad, if he ever does what that old man in the news story did, I'd still feel the same way about it -- it would break my heart and sadden me, but I think these people need to be held accountable for their actions. If I had any power to stop him from driving, I'd do it.

 

[Disney Doll]

This is going to sound mean...but that wasn't an accident.

You know what...it doesn't "sound" mean...it is mean. You should be ashamed of yourself for posting that.

When you're 40, it's pretty easy to say what you'll do when you're 80. When you're 80, it's a lot harder.

As far as his reaction...it doesn't surprise me that what he said didn't make sense. Ever been in a car accident? It's a shock to your system, and even for us young perfect folks, it takes a few minutes to collect yourself.

Jail for a career criminal in his 80's isn't really that great of an idea, for the multitude of reasons already mentioned here. It's even a worse idea for someone who has been a law-abiding, contributing citizen who has made a terrible mistake.

And yes, I can tell you with certainty that if he had killed one of my relatives my reaction would be the same. Putting this man in jail serves no useful purpose.

 

[teacherforhi]

You know what...it doesn't "sound" mean...it is mean. You should be ashanmed of yourself for posting that.

Why should I be ashamed of myself? I didn't kill anyone. Several of my students were at that stop and one of the ones killed was in my class. All because he was in too much of a hurry to drive safely.

 

[AKLRULZ]

If keeping my "independence" means putting others' lives at risk, you can bet I'd give up my license in a heartbeat!

Hello! Me too in a nanosecond, in fact I'd give it up.

 

[CarolA]

I don't know what I would do in this case.

(I did once try to have a 75 Year Old woman thrown in jail for repeated Sale Tax Theft when I worked for the state, but she was a repeat offender and I figured if she wasn't in jail she would do it again. The judge told us she was too old and a year later we were ALL back in court because she had done it again!)

 

[AKLRULZ]

(I did once try to have a 75 Year Old woman thrown in jail for repeated Sale Tax Theft when I worked for the state, but she was a repeat offender and I figured if she wasn't in jail she would do it again. The judge told us she was too old and a year later we were ALL back in court because she had done it again!)

Perfect example - an elderly repeat offender. Don't do the crime if you can't do the time.

 

[MushyMushy]

Perfect example - an elderly repeat offender. Don't do the crime if you can't do the time.

I think the problem is, we see old people as these sweet grandmothers and grandfathers. But there are some bad seeds in this world and sometimes they live long enough to be elderly! I don't think they should get a pass for their age.

 

[castleview]

If keeping my "independence" means putting others' lives at risk, you can bet I'd give up my license in a heartbeat!

I still think that's easier said than done

[/QUOTE]I have elderly parents and my father should not be driving. His reflexes are horribly slow and he can barely see two feet in front of his face.... If I had any power to stop him from driving, I'd do it.[/QUOTE]

Not seeing more than two feet is a perfectly good reason to have his license revoked. Why aren't you reporting it? I'm only asking because you said you would stop him if you could.

 

[JoyG]

I think he should serve out his 13 years at home with an ankle bracelet. I don't think he should be allowed to go out during the day. I think he should just stay at home the whole time. That "prison" will feel just like the real thing.

 

[MushyMushy]

I still think that's easier said than done

Not seeing more than two feet is a perfectly good reason to have his license revoked. Why aren't you reporting it? I'm only asking because you said you would stop him if you could.

I've tried. The only people who can report drivers where I live are physicians, and from what I understand they are usually reluctant to do so.

I feel that I've done as much as I can do and still have a clear conscience.

 

[JunieJay]

Why should I be ashamed of myself? I didn't kill anyone. Several of my students were at that stop and one of the ones killed was in my class. All because he was in too much of a hurry to drive safely.

I believe you point blank said the accident my FIL was in that resulted in the death of his wife was not an accident. I dunno, I think that was pretty mean. Fortunately, I don't know you, so I take it with a grain of salt. And even more fortunately, people who we do know rallied around during our hour of need to help with our devastating loss. There was no mention of "killing" or jail time or punishment, only people xoming together to help us grieve the loss of not just my MIL, but my FIL too. After that accident, and you can be very sure it WAS an accident, none of us were ever the same, least of all my FIL. And for those of you who were wondering, that was the last day my FIL drove. He gave up his car and his license the next day to his son...oddly enough the authorities never issued a ticket or questioned him further, even though the accident resulted in a death. If it were left up to them, he could have been driving again the next day with no penalities.

 

[castleview]

I've tried. The only people who can report drivers where I live are physicians, and from what I understand they are usually reluctant to do so.

I feel that I've done as much as I can do and still have a clear conscience.

Ah, I didn't know that only doctors could do that. I know I sounded harsh, but that wasn't my intention.

 

[teacherforhi]

I believe you point blank said the accident my FIL was in that resulted in the death of his wife was not an accident. I dunno, I think that was pretty mean. Fortunately, I don't know you, so I take it with a grain of salt. And even more fortunately, people who we do know rallied around during our hour of need to help with our devastating loss. There was no mention of "killing" or jail time or punishment, only people xoming together to help us grieve the loss of not just my MIL, but my FIL too. After that accident, and you can be very sure it WAS an accident, none of us were ever the same, least of all my FIL. And for those of you who were wondering, that was the last day my FIL drove. He gave up his car and his license the next day to his son...oddly enough the authorities never issued a ticket or questioned him further, even though the accident resulted in a death. If it were left up to them, he could have been driving again the next day with no penalities.

You said he had been driving for over 14 hours. That isn't an accident. It's being negligent. It has nothing to do with being elderly.

 

[MrsPete]

Ah, I didn't know that only doctors could do that. I know I sounded harsh, but that wasn't my intention.

Yes, doctors can report people to the DMV. My uncle had a serious problem that was causing him to pass out unexpectedly, and the doctor told him he was going to have his license suspended temporarily. This wasn't a problem at all -- my uncle didn't want to drive until his problem was fixed. He didn't want to risk his life or someone else's life. I'm not sure if he officially surrendered his license, or if he just didn't drive, but the doctor did have the authority to take serious action.

As for the man who committed this crime, I think it's also worth noting that he killed these people back in 2003. His lawyers have craftily managed to delay the trial, giving him three full years of freedom already.

 

[JunieJay]

You said he had been driving for over 14 hours. That isn't an accident. It's being negligent. It has nothing to do with being elderly.

You haven't a clue as to what your talking about, nor do you know the circumstances why he was driving 14 hours. As it happens, it had everything to do with him being elderly.........

But you go right ahead and condemn, its been interesting to watch.....

 

[chager]

I'm not so sure prison is the answer. He is 89 yrs olds! I like the nursing home idea. We had a gentleman accidently hit the gas instead of the brake a few years ago that resulted in the death of a teacher and the injury of twin brothers. (The teacher gave her life to save the boys.) In the end the church where it happened rallied around the man. He was extremely remorseful. His life was changed as was the lives of hundreds of students and families. (No he wasn't a church member nor was he a Christian! He was just there to pick up his grandson from school.)
I understand in this case the man made some comments that would be construed as not caring. However have lived through several elderly drivers I know they don't necessarily mean that he didn't care. My great grandma was the person we all screamed about doing 15mph in a 45mph zone. My grandfather was mostly blind and deaf! My grandma was in the beginning stages of Alzheimers. We reported all of them to the police, the BMV, the doctors, anyone that would listen! We were told that unless they actually were in an accident then NOTHING could be done! SO basically we had to pray no one was killed or seriously injured everytime they went out. I do think there should be yearly testing once a set age is hit. I'm not sure that it will ever happen, but I think there are several accidents that could be avoided by this. However that would probably not catch those that have dementia or Alzheimers, or something to that degree. My grandmother can appear perfectly normal at times, but we know she isn't actually operating in current time. Someone not familiar with her wouldn't necessarily recognize that though. So I know I don't have the answer as to what to do. However in this case I don't think prison is going to be the answer. Staying at home shouldn't be either. He did commit a crime and there should be some consequences to it. I just don't have the answer as to what that should be.

 

[Meezers]

I am 44 years old...I haven't had to take a driver's test since I was 16 (except for getting a German license...but that is another story).

18 or 80...I say EVERYONE needs to retest at least every 4 years....driving is a privalege...not a right.

Many people where I live neither speak nor read English and only learn enough to pass the test (or it is given in a native language).

Testing more often would improve ALL drivers...old and young...and even us in the middle!

 

[ZipaDeeDooDah]

Testing more often would improve ALL drivers...old and young...and even us in the middle!

ITA!!!