Super User Tin Posted June 17, 2009 Super User Posted June 17, 2009 After several recent deadly accidents involving people over the age of 70, Massachusetts is trying to make it so seniors have to take driving tests and more eye exams regularly. RI is now considering it to. I know a lot of statistics are bs but last night on the news they were saying how drivers over the age of 75 are involved in as many "at-fault" accidents as teenagers and when they are over the age of 85 that number goes up to four times as many "at-fault" accidents than teenagers do. The only problem I have with this is it took a few young children getting killed to get this ball rolling. One of which was riding her scooter on the sidewalk this past weekend. Quote
Super User Fishing Rhino Posted June 17, 2009 Super User Posted June 17, 2009 I'll be 68 in November, and I have no problem with this law. My dad had to quit driving at 87. But the problem wasn't the way he drove, or his ability to drive. He had developed Alzheimers and couldn't always find his way back home. I've already told my doc to let me know when he felt I could no longer safely drive a car. Whether reflexes, or whatever, I do not want to be responsible for the consequences of driving when I'm no longer capable. Too many old folks are driving who are oblivious to what is going on around them. Quote
Super User flechero Posted June 17, 2009 Super User Posted June 17, 2009 The only problem I have with this is it took a few young children getting killed to get this ball rolling. That's about the same argument that people are using to try and up the minimum age to 18/21 (depending on which group) the only difference is substitute the word young for teenage, in the quote. I agree that limits should be set on the top end but also that it should be more difficult to get a license at 16. Quote
Super User Sam Posted June 17, 2009 Super User Posted June 17, 2009 In Virginia you can be deaf and still drive. All you need to do is pass an eye test and have a doctor's letter ststing you are fit to drive. Quote
Super User flechero Posted June 17, 2009 Super User Posted June 17, 2009 In Virginia you can be deaf and still drive. That's really not much different than having the stereo blaring, is it? Quote
moby bass Posted June 17, 2009 Posted June 17, 2009 I'll be 68 in November, and I have no problem with this law. My dad had to quit driving at 87. But the problem wasn't the way he drove, or his ability to drive. He had developed Alzheimers and couldn't always find his way back home. I've already told my doc to let me know when he felt I could no longer safely drive a car. Whether reflexes, or whatever, I do not want to be responsible for the consequences of driving when I'm no longer capable. Too many old folks are driving who are oblivious to what is going on around them. My dad had to quit driving around 85, macular degeneration and Alzheimer's. Tough thing for him. he thought he could still drive ok. What makes you think people are only oblivious to what's around them when they're on the road. Have you been to WalMart or a supermarket lately? Quote
Super User Root beer Posted June 17, 2009 Super User Posted June 17, 2009 When I took my license test, I read a statistic that hearing impair people like me, have a safer driving record. We tend to be more alert to our surrounding because one of our senses are hampered. This is state of Tennessee by the way. This just might be true, I'm 19 years old been driving since I was 15, have yet to have a speeding ticket (pulled over twice in two different counties let off with a warning) or a wreck. Hearing doesn't affect your driving, but blindness can. Quote
Super User grimlin Posted June 17, 2009 Super User Posted June 17, 2009 When I took my license test, I read a statistic that hearing impair people like me, have a safer driving record. We tend to be more alert to our surrounding because one of our senses are hampered. I agree....I tend to be more alert as well. Quote
Super User Root beer Posted June 17, 2009 Super User Posted June 17, 2009 I wear two hearing aids that I had since I was 6 years old. Without them, I can hear bombs and guns going off, but I cannot hear people conversing. With them on, I can hear people talking around me, but I cannot make out what they are saying unless I'm starring at them paying 100% attention. In another word I could be in a bathroom stall, and there could be two terrorist in next stall talking at normal voice level about a new terrorist attack and I wouldn't even know it. It not a big deal, I learn to live with it. When ever I'm out on lake on a boat or driving I'm always on alert, because if I hear slightest sound I do not know what it is. So I'm constantly looking around like a cat wandering around yard looking out for dogs. (this disability has given me some form of ADD where I like let my mind wander off. ) Only thing that sucks being hearing impairment is insurance..they will not cover cost of new hearing aids or anything like that. If you're born with it, you are SOL. I didn't start wearing them until I was 6, but when you are a toddler doctors cannot always determine if your impaired or your speeches haven't fully developed. Anyway, back on topic. I hate it when senior citizen or anyone for that matter make a complete stop in turning lane, then turn into a parking lot. > I'm talking about the right lane by the way.... Left Lane for traveling right lane for turning into parking lots.. Quote
Fish Man Posted June 17, 2009 Posted June 17, 2009 on the whole teenage driving topic. Moving the minimum age up to 18/21 from what i can tell you will not do much, im sure im going againt alot of statistics but i dont see the problem being the age as much as it is the rapid freedom that is allowed, no matter what the age is new drivers will not be the best drivers due to experiance but also you have to take into account that it is the first time you have that much freedom and many peple (regardless of what the minimum age is) will break the laws and get into accidents because of the lack of supervision, then again thats just my biased two cents Quote
fish-fighting-illini Posted June 18, 2009 Posted June 18, 2009 I know they have a right but getting seniors off the road from 6:30am to 8am and fom 3:30-6pm would be nice. This would only be if they were deemed unable to keep up with the flow of trafffic ( assuming legal speed ). Man someone doing 25mph in a 50 mph zone is an accident waiting to happen during rush hour(s) Quote
Super User Fishing Rhino Posted June 18, 2009 Super User Posted June 18, 2009 I know they have a right but getting seniors off the road from 6:30am to 8am and fom 3:30-6pm would be nice. This would only be if they were deemed unable to keep up with the flow of trafffic ( assuming legal speed ). Man someone doing 25mph in a 50 mph zone is an accident waiting to happen during rush hour(s) That sounds very similar to what my wife has said. She bitterly complains about drivers who hold up traffic driving under the speed limit when others are trying to get to work. There is one stretch of road with only one lane of traffic each way and a jersey barrier which prevents passing. The barrier was put up because there were too many fatals along that stretch of road. I suppose you could blame someone dawdling along impeding the progress of those behind, but the fault lies with those who wait 'til the last minute to leave home, allowing just enough time, under ideal conditions, to make it to work on time. I tell my wife she should leave five minutes earlier. If she's delayed a few seconds or even a minute or two by a dawdler, it won't matter. Those who are routinely in a rush to get to work are poor planners, when it comes to their commute. Quote
fish-fighting-illini Posted June 18, 2009 Posted June 18, 2009 [quote author=53686A584B6E60606E69070 link=1245243094/14#14 date=1245307962. I suppose you could blame someone dawdling along impeding the progress of those behind, but the fault lies with those who wait 'til the last minute to leave home, allowing just enough time, under ideal conditions, to make it to work on time. Those who are routinely in a rush to get to work are poor planners, when it comes to their commute. Quote
Super User Dan: Posted June 18, 2009 Super User Posted June 18, 2009 wait, you're saying you can go 50mph during rush hour?!? Quote
fish-fighting-illini Posted June 18, 2009 Posted June 18, 2009 wait, you're saying you can go 50mph during rush hour?!? Yep lol! Crowded but 50mph. That's why we don't live in a big city! Quote
fivesixone Posted June 18, 2009 Posted June 18, 2009 Florida roads would be about 90% more efficient with these stricter tests. Seriously. ;D Quote
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