Drivers test for old people

Post by **Diablo0** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 11:03 am

Every day that goes by the more and more I feel that once people get to a certian age they should have to take a drivers test again. This morning going to work I'm heading up a fairly busy stretch of road which is a main route for people coming from south of Greenville. It's a 4 lane road with a turn lane in the center. At one point the traffic engineer wasn't thinking very clearly and there isn't a turn lane at a traffic light for a cross street, only the center turn lane which most people used make the left turn so traffic going straight could keep flowing. Well, a few months ago they either realized their mistake, and made a bigger one... instead of making a lane, lets just put the arrow on the left lane screwing up all traffic going straight waiting for those trying to turn left. After a few weeks like that someone finally caught on and fixed that by scraping up the yellow painted lines in the center turn lane and putting in an actual left turn lane. It's been like that for several weeks now and every time I go by I see people using it like they should be... until this morning.

On my way to work I'm coming up to that intersection and this person which is the first in line at the light, driving the offical car of the 75+ age group, the Lincoln Town Car, is sitting in the left straight lane with their turn signal on. It's a red light so I'm hoping they just forgot their signal was on (which is annoying as well) but the light turns green, they inch out and sure enough... turning from the wrong lane. Like I said, this road is a fairly major road from those coming from the south going into town so traffic is already backed up because of this. Then I look in my rearview and hear a bang caused by a guy on a motorcycle locking his brakes and taking his bike down just a few feet behind me. The lady in front in the meantime is still trying to turn left holding everyone up. I get out to help the man and appologize for what happened when he's telling me it's not my fault, it's the jackass in front that can't use the correct lane which is true but he had a nice new Trimuph bike thats looked great and now it's probably got some road rash because of this. Granted he could have paid better attention so it's partially his own fault but, none the less the person should have used the correct lane.

Thats my rant for today... I just feel that older people should have to retake the drivers test when they get to a certian age.

Danteneon · Post by **Danteneon** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 11:10 am

x1000000

I am so in favor of re-testing older drivers (sorry Gramps and David

). In the metro DC area this should be a mandatory thing. I would also add that all new drivers take a defensive driving school before a license is issued.

Oh, and traveling in the left lane should be a capital offense.

kornholio788 · Post by **kornholio788** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 11:22 am

I agree. Especially Gramps!

AHH *runs*

King Crab · Post by **King Crab** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 12:32 pm

O.K. let me start off by saying that I agree to a degree. And no offense taken John, I'm not there yet.

(at least I don't think so) I don't like to generalize in any way shape or form..... But I also see young, old, male, female or any other definition you want to add, doing stupid shit with their mode of transportation. Whether it be confusion, intimidation, uncertainty, hesitation, lack of concentration, distraction and countless other scenarios hits every group listed above. The lack of respect of what they are operating astonishes me too no end. They not only endanger their own lives but the lives of every single person out there.

But I do agree that there comes a point in time, when I believe we should go and take the drivers test again. I wouldn't mind showing that I'm still capable of not endangering others or myself.

And Damn-it, I'm not that old............

bombtrack07 · Post by **bombtrack07** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 12:49 pm

^^ then why does everyone call you "Pops" ?

Danteneon wrote:Oh, and traveling in the left lane should be a capital offense.

The fast lane should be ONLY for everyone driving at least 10MPH over the limit. Atlanta is the worst place for that shit.

03blackrt · Post by **03blackrt** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 1:00 pm

It's not just old people, it's EVERYONE! I think everyone should have to pass yearly driving tests (with stricter standards than now).

bombtrack07 wrote: The fast lane should be ONLY for everyone driving at least 10MPH over the limit. Atlanta is the worst place for that shit.

I drive the speed limit in the

fast lane

Danteneon · Post by **Danteneon** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 1:23 pm

King Crab wrote:And Damn-it, I'm not that old............

Sorry, it's just too much fun! And besides, there aren't that many folks here I can say that to

But you have some good points.

Haganracing · Post by **Haganracing** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 1:33 pm

Some people shouldn't have a license to begin with..

But thats just my opinion

I agree with the old people having to retake a test to make sure they are still good to drive

King Crab · Post by **King Crab** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 1:47 pm

Danteneon wrote:
King Crab wrote:And Damn-it, I'm not that old............
Sorry, it's just too much fun! And besides, there aren't that many folks here I can say that to

bombtrack07 wrote:^^ then why does everyone call you "Pops" ?

It's all good.

That's just what friends do. You couldn't raz me anymore than I already get razzed, from my boys.

I can take it so keep 'em coming.

(I'll forget them in a minute anyway)

bombtrack07 · Post by **bombtrack07** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 1:53 pm

^^ lol you have CRS syndrome (Can't Remember Shit)

03blackrt wrote:It's not just old people, it's EVERYONE! I think everyone should have to pass yearly driving tests (with stricter standards than now).

bombtrack07 wrote: The fast lane should be ONLY for everyone driving at least 10MPH over the limit. Atlanta is the worst place for that shit.
I drive the speed limit in the fast lane

that's fine but if I'm coming up quick and the other 2-6 lanes (depending on where we are) are open, then "Slower Traffic Keep Right". that's what I go by.

Paul56 · Post by **Paul56** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 7:07 pm

<--- check the age out on the left.

OMG, an old fart.

I suspect for many older folks the issue is that they don't drive nearly as much as they used to so they tend to lose their sharpness and skills.

At this moment I'm personally aware of at least two seniors (yes, there are folks older than me

) who should be taken off the road because they both have issues with their eyes and trouble seeing under some conditions while driving. I'm certain these folks want to hang onto their license as long as possible because for them it gives them some independence... particularly at an age when walking and taking the bus everywhere may be somewhat difficult. However, having said that there is still a risk to having them on the road.

I've also seen some older drivers who are very sharp. During my transport-truck driving days I would regularly come across truck drivers into their 70's still pulling loads and grinding the gears across the country.

I have to admit that my own driving skills are not as sharp now as when I used to drive ~10,000 miles/month. I still have my transport-truck driving license but have not been behind the wheel of a big rig for at least 5 years now... I'm certain I'd be grinding a few gears and hitting a few curbs if I was to start again.

In the province of Ontario in Canada drivers who are 80 and older are required to:

-Have a vision test.
-Take a written test.
-Participate in a driver education session.

They need to renew every two years and go through the above each time.

Post by **racer12306** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 7:29 pm

My opinion on the situation...

I'm with 03blackrt, everyone should have to take a strict drivers test every year or two. People all to easily forget basic driving skills.

And then when a person get to a certain age it should be more frequent. And maybe prior to a certain age it should be more frequent.

Another part of the problem is knowing your limits. Young people think the limits are extremely high, then we realize our limits, and then we get to where we think our limits are still at the same level when we were 50 or even 60 years old, but that limit has gone down.

I know I have personally watched myself more carefully now that I am on the road a lot. Since the end of February I have driven 9000 miles for work, and that number will only go up. I can't afford to have a ticket.

Swordfish2Cowboy · Post by **Swordfish2Cowboy** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 12:01 am

Some 78 year old man killed a woman motorcyclist two days ago here. Decided it was best to run a stop sign.

Daymon · Post by **Daymon** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 12:15 am

Paul56 wrote:
In the province of Ontario in Canada drivers who are 80 and older are required to:

-Have a vision test.
-Take a written test.
-Participate in a driver education session.

They need to renew every two years and go through the above each time.

My grandfather is 85, has terrible vision, horrible hearing, a heart that is ready to stop ticking any moment now, and he passed his drivers test acouple months ago. I've nearly positive that he memorized the vision test.

The part that really pisses me off is that his son, my uncle, was killed 2 years ago in a car accident where an elderly man drifted into his lane and hit him head on. Old man and wife died on impact, uncle died about 30 minutes later from broken ribcage preventing air into the lungs.

Since he got his license back, we've had a heart to heart and he finally agreed that he really can't see, and won't be driving on the roads anymore.

Midnight_Rider · Post by **Midnight_Rider** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 1:31 am

kornholio788 wrote:I agree. Especially Gramps!

AHH *runs*

Hey, I can still catch you (just ask that guy who tried to mug me a few months ago about how fast I can run even though I am elderly).

I see people of every age having such poor (and dangerous) driving habits these days and what's worse is the whole road rage thing. It gets really scary sometimes on my jobs and I do get tired of always having to watch out for the other guy.

bombtrack07 · Post by **bombtrack07** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 7:45 am

^^ nice quote in the sig, Gramps

Paul56 · Post by **Paul56** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 8:09 am

Midnight_Rider wrote:
kornholio788 wrote:I agree. Especially Gramps!

AHH *runs*
Hey, I can still catch you (just ask that guy who tried to mug me a few months ago about how fast I can run even though I am elderly).

I see people of every age having such poor (and dangerous) driving habits these days and what's worse is the whole road rage thing. It gets really scary sometimes on my jobs and I do get tired of always having to watch out for the other guy.

Hear Hear!!!

Mr Josh Zombie · Post by **Mr Josh Zombie** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 8:47 am

i just question how so many people pass their test the first time... some how my girlfriend got hers no problem. She's a terrible driver... I mean terrible... she scares the shit out of me.

Personally, I think the younger you are, the more strict your driving test should be. Hell, the first time should almost be an automatic failure just to knock kids down a few posts, so they don't think they're "immortal" or anything. I know I was really cocky because I got my license no problem the first time. 4 speeding tickets later and I've FINALLY learned my lesson. (yay for paying my own insurance)

Now, in terms of the elderly... I think for one, every 10 years, you should have to re-take the test fully. Starting at the age of 30. From then on, 40, 50, 60, ect you have to re-take the test. Once you get into the 60's, it should drop to every 3 or 5 years having to take a test. I've seen one too many accidents because elderly people seemed to just "forget" how to drive. Hell, I've almost smashed into a few.

kc2005ptgt · Post by **kc2005ptgt** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 12:27 pm

What about an 18 year old driving age, mandatory driving school in HS, and driving tests every time you get a moving violation to retain your license?

Haganracing · Post by **Haganracing** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 1:08 pm

Opi wrote:i just question how so many people pass their test the first time... some how my girlfriend got hers no problem. She's a terrible driver... I mean terrible... she scares the shit out of me.

I hear ya on that one.

I (tried to) help my x-gf out with showing her how to drive.. she pretty much only knew how to put the car in drive.... She would try driving with two feet (one on the gas and one on the brake) what a mess that was, i thought i had whiplash after that... I about stomped a hole in the floor of my car trying to stop the car when she was practicing in an empty parking lot. She almost backed my car into a light post.

Somehow 3 months later she passed her drivers test and has her license now....

whoever gave her a license really needs to be

teamliviD · Post by **teamliviD** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 1:18 pm

ive been saying this for years!!

if anything, everyone should have to re-test say every 10 years or so and in doing so could lower your car insureance and maybe take away any tickets/points you might have.