A very serious issue

[Hellion]

Until I find out more info on this,last Monday there was a fatal accident in Troy on I-75

they say it was caused by a 71 year old trucker going too fast,but right now I want to get more proof on this,but first when it comes to people who are 65 and up it seems you hear alot about accidents caused by elderly people. what do you think about their driving habits?

I cannot count how many times I was almost hit by some old person in the past five years,IMO alot of them should not be on the road(my opinion for myself)

I think the POS government of this state will give anyone a license not matter what their health condition is,its all about money to the state not safety of other drivers.

I remember when someone in their 80s got in a deadly wreck on Groesbeck highway a few years ago, and were decapitated,the driver had a bad heart.

IMO there should be mandatory health screenings for everyone that is above a certain age. not to really discriminate but driving has been getting way too dangerous these days.

I am not saying they should not be able to drive,but having severe health issues and driving do not mix well at all.

I also know a few quite older people that gave up their own driving rights due to health problems on their own.

Of course we also have the typical morons and assholes that should not at all ever be allowed to drive since they more than likely got their license out of a box of Cracker Jack.

(note: age and health not associated with this part,just stupidity)

[jynxxxedangel]

There are five major offenders of my peace of mind on the road:

1. The tired-yet still-multitasking-while-driving professional. This guy can read a newspaper, talk on his cell, shave his face, smoke a cig, drink his coffee, and eat a donut--all while driving. Granted, he swerves a bit (at least he stays on the asphalt most of the time, though sometimes it's in the opposite lane).

2. The old geezer or biddy who turns a blind eye to progress and thinks the speed limits are too fast. If you spy more than one in the car ahead of you, expect to be five minutes later for work for each grey head you see..

3. The inexperienced teen driver (also usually preoccupied with the cellphone). If it's a group of teens in a car, even worse! Just like the old people..so lacking of concentration, and overly-stimulated. Teens and old people driving scares me.

4. The ethnic woman in the gigantic SUV who is permanently attached to her cellphone. This culprit is usually seen pulling out of a party store, with her Bebe and Burberry-wearing best friend sitting shotgun. This woman's ear NEVER leaves the phone. Never. Her foot rarely leaves the brake pedal, either.

5. The aggressive, tailgating testosterone-driven construction worker (no matter how fast you're going, this guy is tailgating and acting like he's going to pass you). This is also the guy who tries to do 70 mph when it's a blizzard, and salt trucks are going off the road in front of you.

I think I have covered all the types of drivers who make me nervous to share the road.

[bean]

edited because I'm done wasting my fucking time

[Hellion]

If people could ##$@&% read read what I posted this is about people with health problems and the POS state of Mi not giving a shit.

Yes we have the typical SUV asshole on the road,the typical teen trying to text while driving,and the egotistic my shit don't stink on the roads today. I was trying to get some answers and opinions on why the state won't do shit about these problems!! nough said.

[pomba gira]

jynxxxedangel, those descriptions are spot on! I would laugh if the mere thought of being on the road with these fuckwits didn't infuriate me so much.

I agree that we badly need some kind of screening for elders to get their license renewed past a certain age. At the VERY least an in-depth vision & hearing test. But that isn't likely to happen, 'cos (a) Same reason we aren't gonna have decent public transportation anytime soon. This is Michigan. We make cars, so we want EVERYONE to be able to drive. (b) when it comes to laws being made, old people tend to get things their way. Not quite as much here as in FL or AZ, but still enough.

We had the misfortune of being driven around by Tokagemaru's 80+ dad last summer and it was quite the hair-raising experience. I refrained from asking T. "why the hell do you guys still let him drive?!" because, well, none of the old dude's children even live in the same city as him (& only one in the same state), so what are they gonna do?

We were all so glad that my great-aunt didn't insist on continuing to drive when she started getting infirm. For a while she would still drive the mile (straight haul on a pretty mellow road) to the grocery store, but then she stopped even that in the two years or so before she went to join the ancestors. I wish all elders were as graceful as Aunt Myrt was about admitting when it's time to stop driving. We got her set up with SpecTran (local door-to-door van service) for times when none of us were around to drive her places, and made sure she was comfortable using it... I think my auntie actually rode with her the first time. That's really what families have to do- not just say "sorry dad, you can't drive anymore", but show him there are options and that you'll do whatever it takes to help him use them.

[Msterbeau]

I've ranted about this often. There need to be mandatory eye tests and physicals after 65-70. People need to be willing to let go when it's time. All their doing is endangering themselves and others, all because they don't want to lose their independence. Fuck that.

The problem is that the elderly have nothing better to do but get involved in the political process, which means they wield a lot of clout. Don't be too quick to blame the state governments.