There's a dysfunctional family Dynamic subtext here I don't care to share.
Agreed, I could have handled it better.
Elderly driving, taking away their keys.
- Thread starter wrcsixeight
- Start date
There's a dysfunctional family Dynamic subtext here I don't care to share.
Agreed, I could have handled it better.
Fair enough.
Not asking for the subtext if you don't want to share, but it likely would've changed how your actions appeared in the absence of that subtext.
Given that I was mowed down by a 94 year old man who was obviously very bitter and senile in the fact that I dared to cross the road in front of him (I had the walk signal) and struck me on purpose, I support this action.
P.S. He nailed me doing 30-35 after speeding up in the last few seconds and even cut his turn short the ensure that he struck me in the opposing turn lane.
P.S. He nailed me doing 30-35 after speeding up in the last few seconds and even cut his turn short the ensure that he struck me in the opposing turn lane.
We went through all of that. Eventually, we gave Mom's car to a family member in need. Worked out great for him, and her!
She did not have any major accidents, thank god, but she did bang up her car on a regular basis. Mostly backing into non movable things. But the front took some light damage too. It was all covered by insurance and the car was in great shape when given away.
It's weird, as I'm not sure if it was vision problems or the beginning of cognitive issues. I guess it does not really matter. She's in a memory care facility now.
She did not have any major accidents, thank god, but she did bang up her car on a regular basis. Mostly backing into non movable things. But the front took some light damage too. It was all covered by insurance and the car was in great shape when given away.
It's weird, as I'm not sure if it was vision problems or the beginning of cognitive issues. I guess it does not really matter. She's in a memory care facility now.
I’m 74 still ride motorcycles, not Harleys, lol. My balance is a bit off when stopped so I have to be alert where my feet are…
Yeah, that's the problem. Sure it hurt people's feeling taking away their cars, their guns, their whatever else, public safety is the biggest concern and it should be.
I do think by the time we are older, we should live near places we can walk or "cart" to anyways. Walking to the store daily is good for you. One of my friend's widowed mom moved into a senior home 2 blocks away from her office and 2 miles from her home, they took her mom every weekend but they all have their own "home" and the mom have a community of friends, 5 grocery stores nearby, 1 movie theater, 1 hospital, all within 15 mins walk. She couldn't be happier (other than the cost).
What usually happens is that the accident, the police report or your letter will trigger a requirement for a medical examination. That will (usually) include an assessment for dementia. The doctor doesn't take away a driver's license. The doctor reports what they find, and if it's not good the "driver's license authority" denies or takes away the license.
I had a young man with cerebral palsy, with an unsteady gate, and random flailing limb movements ask me to complete a driver's license examination. So I described exactly what I found. He didn't get a driver's license. But I didn't deny it.
Locally there is an age based examination requirement. I would argue that it's discriminatory. Many seniors are excellent drivers. And some young people are a hazard on the road. Age alone isn't a very useful determinant.
I had a young man with cerebral palsy, with an unsteady gate, and random flailing limb movements ask me to complete a driver's license examination. So I described exactly what I found. He didn't get a driver's license. But I didn't deny it.
Locally there is an age based examination requirement. I would argue that it's discriminatory. Many seniors are excellent drivers. And some young people are a hazard on the road. Age alone isn't a very useful determinant.
Dealt with this issue about 4 1/2 years ago. First there was a passenger side mirror that was knocked off and mom had no idea how it happened. Next, a couple of months later, she hit a parked car in the doctor's office parking lot. I took the keys in October of '17. After that things were different. She wound up developing dementia and eventually became a patient in memory care. Looking back these events were the beginning of her cognitive decline. I really think the lack of driving freedom led to increased depression and a more rapid descent into dementia. Nevertheless, she was at a point where she wasn't safe for herself or others. Not an easy step to take, but one that becomes very necessary in a lot of instances. Mom is gone now, but I know it was the right decision; just hard at the time.
It's always a cost vs fairness debate. Some nations require everyone to pass the road test regularly, some try to save money and requires only the high risk pool, they didn't deny it just ask you to test it again, and as long as they reduce maybe 95% of the dangerous drivers from the road I'm all good.
Sorry he hit you, bet you weren't his first pedestrian. Guy was probably a jerk from about age two.
Why does this "hit" so close to home with you?
If you can find some senior services provided by your local county or town, maybe there is a local transportation service that can take Mom to the supermarket, her doctor's appointments, etc. That may brighten her outlook.
Well...quite frankly either you are just being argumentative-or making excuses for elderly drivers who shouldn't be behind the wheel. Whats the motivation?
In my home state. A family member can write a letter (Certified) to Dept. Motor Vehicles and request a hearing. Said hearing is used to determine one's ability for driving privileges. Specifically, based on age and mental capacity. A doctor can do the same.
Sorry to hearing about mom!
Sorry to hearing about mom!
Our local club had a talk from a driving instructor.
They start off by observing you drive and offering comments. When they get into the test part, if you fail to shoulder check a certain number of times for example (even when turning left - as there could be a car trying to pass you I suppose) you automatically fail. There are tricky stop signs where it's not apparent where you should stop. [For the record, you're supposed to stop before entering the pedestrian crossing, then advance until you can see the crossing traffic in both directions, then stop again, and only then proceed.]
He's recorded the test for customers and has been able to prove they did shoulder check.
For a grand finale they take you to an unfamiliar neighbourhood and give you a set of instructions: 3 blocks forward, turn right, 2 blocks forward, turn left, etc. If you complete the route correctly, the instructor says now take me back to where we started. You had better have noticed which house you were in front of when you started. That's part of the test.
This is not a "basic are you safe behind the wheel" test. It's a difficult test that I suspect many drivers of any age would fail.
And they start to administer the test based on age. And that's unfair in my opinion.
I think that means that she was first in line at the light.
Absolutely. You know best. You certainly did the right thing. Don't second guess yourself or seek more advice
