Can You Be Too Old To Drive? 100 Year Old Driver Runs Over 9 Children In LA

Agent009 submitted on 8/30/2012 Official Bell & Ross Timestamp: 10:40:24 AM

7 user comments | Views : 5,168 | Category: Misc News | Source: | SOURCE: latimesblogs.latimes.com

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A 100-year-old driver who injured nine children and two adults near a South Los Angeles school Wednesday afternoon had a current driver's license and no history of traffic violations, the Department of Motor Vehicles said.

Preston Carter, who will turn 101 on Sept. 5, was required to wear corrective lenses while operating a vehicle but had a clean driving record, according to the DMV. His license is valid until 2013. Earlier reports said Carter was 101.
 



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Can You Be Too Old To Drive? 100 Year Old Driver Runs Over 9 Children In LA

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Agent009

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atc98092

No age restriction, but certainly a skills check after a certain age. My Father-In-Law will be 90 in Feb, and he is still a reasonable driver. I have restricted him to daytime only, simply for the sake of visibility. The state however has no restrictions on him other than glasses.

— atc98092 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/30/2012 10:54:04 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

Patronus

I agree, there should be no age restriction, however, a skills, vision and cognitive check would be very prudent. Perhaps these should start at a certain age for everyone, just to be fair. What age? 65? 70? 75?

— Patronus (View Profile)

Posted on 8/30/2012 11:01:37 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

atc98092

I'm getting close to 60, but I wouldn't have a problem with a skills check starting at 65. However, at least for my state (Washington) PLEASE don't let the DMV do it! Just renewing your license is like pulling teeth (without the novicain), and I shudder to think what they would do with this.

There are already local organizations that provide senior refresher defensive driving courses, but they don't include any road work. Perhaps they should. It lowers insurance to take these courses, and I wouldn't be against making them mandatory. Just keep the price of the course reasonable.

— atc98092 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/30/2012 7:47:59 PM | | Votes: 1   

LexSucks

They should have some sort of test once a driver reaches a certian age. Either that or we'll have to rely on old folks to notice that they cant drive anymore. They usualy realize this when they do something similar to the story above.

— LexSucks (View Profile)

Posted on 8/30/2012 11:35:49 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

AlleVier

Skills and cognitive testing just for seniors? Shouldn't EVERYBODY be required to have the same level? Don't others have accidents for lack of skill and cognition?

It's a really difficult situation for senior drivers. We've created a society where:
1. Many are not part of a nuclear family;
2. public transportation safety, reliability, and convenience is mediocre in large cities and terrible or non-existent in smaller ones;
3. and business zoning practices and the new economy has removed most neighborhood stores and services.

In other words, take away their driving privileges and you will seriously rob them of independence. Until we provide truly good public transportation, any tough talk about restrictions will just be talk. I think many make the serious mistake of assuming that seniors can't recognize when they've lost their abilities and that they continue to drive out of pure enjoyment or stubbornness.

— AlleVier (View Profile)

Posted on 8/30/2012 1:32:43 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

W208

It would take a considerable amount of pressure to ensure loss of control of the vehicle. A 120psi loaf rocket would ensure you're swapping paint with the nearest guardrail.

— W208 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/1/2012 9:59:03 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

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