This is in re: to the recent case in which the elderly man ran over several people...and due to his health he will serve NO jail time.
2006-11-21 11:34:15 · 9 answers · asked by kissmybum 4 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Yeah...I know. You should try driving on the DC beltway sometime! DC has some over the worst drivers EVER!
2006-11-21 11:45:53 · update #1
This is one of the most difficult things you will ever do. My Father's generation lived for the freedom of their cars, a love affair with a machine. When the time came for me to take his keys, because of his failing health, the look in his eyes shattered my heart, in that moment he saw his mortality closing in and things were never the same between us. The important thing is, that he lived well for several more years, and I had done the right thing. Everyone is different, I know 90 year olds that drive impeccably and 30 year olds who will never drive safely. The point system is your best judge of competence, at a certain point level, you must retake your test, regardless of age. The other problem is; the drivers test is a joke, they should give a test which presents driving hazards and judge reactions.
2006-11-21 12:09:17 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
This issue is coming up more and more, so I'm just going to offer a few suggestions. Yes, the elderly should be tested but there is no convenient public transportation in many areas, so they might have restrictions as are increasingly placed on new teen drivers. No night driving, for example. The issue of running over people and similar instances is a matter of being confused and thinking the foot is on the brake but is really on the accelerator. The government should step in here, because this doesn't only happen to the elderly. It happens more in some cars than in others and it's because the pedals are offset to the left to accommodate the transmission hump. Moving the pedals to accommodate poor design shouldn't be allowed at all. But there's an engineering solution to the problem of mistaking the gas pedal for the brake: If the gas pedal is floored with enough force, the engine should cut out. If you really meant to floor it you'll have to lift your foot off and do it again, with a bit less force.
2006-11-21 12:02:38 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
ideally,people would lay down therir keys,as my grandmother and great-aunt did,when they realised they were no longer safe.people certainly should be tested frequently after 70 or so,and limited to maybe 3-5 miles around their house,so they can get food and maybe a dr nearby. u hate to do it,but as a former nurse,i can tell u that many of my altzheimers patients were first sent for a diagnosis when they forgot how to get home while driving,or drove the wrong way on one way streets,and did various mistakes that caused the police to call their families.maybe something like meals-on wheels program can start,to take people to dr or shopping if they cant drive anymore.its a problem because people are living well into their 90's and beyond,but unfortunately reflexes and eyesight deteriorate over time.but if the person is alone,and cant drive,somehow they have to eat.its a hard problem to solve.
2006-11-21 11:48:00 · answer #3 · answered by Lyn K 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I stop utilising whilst i found out my reflexes and spotty psychological concentration have been making me doubtlessly risky. i did not elect to be in charge for hurting or inflicting the dying of somebody using fact I don't have been utilising. not everyone can face the reality as extremely as I did. it particularly is not in basic terms the elderly which could be too impaired to tension thoroughly. some human beings quickly impair themselves and slaughter innocents on the line utilising inebriated or stoned. Many extra human beings die using fact of that than using fact of elderly drivers. There could desire to be periodic sorting out after the age of 60. Eyes, reflexes and psychological function.
2016-12-29 07:41:38 · answer #4 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They should have to pass more vision tests and of the like to be able to drive past the age of 78 I personally feel. Its a good idea. There would be alot of flack over it, but it would be fr the good of all drivers on the road.
2006-11-21 11:39:43 · answer #5 · answered by timmy2505 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is what insurance does. If involved in an injury accident the insurance is cancelled. More often than not driving license is cancelled also. That often happens to young drivers also.
2006-11-21 11:41:51 · answer #6 · answered by longroad 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They should be required to take a driver's test every year starting at a certain age.
Heck, they should do it for most idiots driving these days
http://jaguar.fiboy.com/images/Raisa%20driving%20the%20Jaguar%20Coupe.JPG
2006-11-21 11:40:17 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
hell yea they should! old people figure they already lived and experienced everything so why not just drive with out giving a flying F*ck! have you seen the way that they just turn and merge into anywhere!!!
2006-11-21 11:44:15 · answer #8 · answered by Chikana24/7 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. They need their wheels as much as anyone else. They are alone and ignored by family so their independence is all the more precious to them.
2006-11-21 11:42:46 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋