O.k. I was coming to work this evening on I-68 westbound and I looked into the eastbound lane and noticed a car going west at about 25MPH! there wasn't much traffic but what was on the road was swerving like crazy to miss this car. I called 911 and let them know and I paced this car to see what was going to happen. I was blowing the horn and trying to get their attention. I then had to pick up the pace because traffic was behind me.

I then seen one of Marylands finest sitting in the my lane ( west bound) right around the bend. I slow down beep my horn and point back towards the chaos . He looked at me funny and then pulled out and pulled ME OVER !! By this time i was only about 1/4 mile from the Wv. state line. I explained what the deal was and he rushed back to the scene. Right after he left and I crossed over the state line, this same car passes me ( and is now in the correct lane ) I called 911 again and told them they missed their chance and the car was no in Wv.

I got a look at the driver when she passed me and i swear this lady had to be 100 yrs. old. All I seen was knuckles and blue hair ! I bet she has never been in a wreck in her life but she probably causes one wreck a week. I believe it might be time to re-evaluate her driving status.

 

Definetly need senior driving tests. What we also need is area specific driving age. In a rural area, the driving age should be lower because there are less distractions to cause a crash and there isn't a whole lot of stuff to mess up if there is one and in the city it should be higher because of the crazy driving and better likelihood of a crash. I swear I could have a lot of money right now if the driving age had been lower over here on the Eastern Shore so I could drive to work. I was a **** good driver when I was 14. Now they're talking about raising the age to 17

 

Maybe to be really fair everyone should have to take an every other year driver's test. After all, not all the old guys are bad drivers. Might as well go after everyone. Then do away with all emmission testing. Just think of the jobs that would be created.

 

Let's keep the reality on the situation. You pointed out one individual. What about the youngsters you see out there doing stupid things because THEY KNOW IT ALL. We've had many more tragic deaths on the highways due to the inexperience of youth, in this neighborhood anyway. How many teenagers never survive their graduation due to their "driving"? It's so easy to point fingers and say, oh look, ban them all. I have seen too many teenie boppers and young adults as well doing stupid things on the freeways as I drive the roads to work. And heaven forbid, lets not forget all the middleagers out there who also contribute to the stupidity you see everyday. Perhaps it more a societal problem then a generational one. And no, I'm not old or gray haired, just one who tries to balance all the b.s. I hear everyday.

 

now dave tell how you REALLY feel, i agree with dave, its young old and middle aged, i can say ive done my fair share of idiot stuff in a vehicle.

 

Hold on a minute, I never said we should "ban them all" I totally agree that a teenagers inexperience behind the wheel is a problem just about everywhere. but i think it is two different problems. These teenagers you are referring to actually know they are doing something stupid, they just don't care. They are coherant to the situation around them but they are just idiots. I'm talking about senior citizens that are driving on the wrong side of the freeway in the middle of the day and not even knowing they are on the wrong side of the road.
This past spring we had a senior citizen do this exact same thing and hit head on with a pick up truck, No one was killed thankfully, but from the on ramp he went up till he actually hit someone was atleast 4 miles.( during what we call rush hour around here) Now you would have thought that he would have realized he was going the wrong way after a few cars were ran off the road. But obviously he was oblivious to the situation.

Last summer I was driving down a business area with plenty of stop lights and got behind a car that was going atleast 10mph below the speed limit and just blowing through every single red light without even tapping the brakes !! cars were everywhere trying to avoid her. She was pulled over a few miles down the road and looked to be in her late 80's.
I think a senior citizen driving test should be manditory after a certain age. If they can pass the test God bless them. if not, well, pulling the license might just save a few lives.

 

I think all driver's should be checked periodically, maybe every five years or something. And I think the tests need to be A LOT more difficult, and include merging and freeway drving skills instead of just basic handling and maneuvers.
I also wish ALL new cars were equipped with bluetooth technology for the idiots who need to talk on the phone. At least that would free up their hands and offer more concentration on handling their vehicle.

 

I am a "senior citizen" and I agree that testing needs to be done much more often. The kids are full of hormones and going like crazy and the older ones, like me, lose some of there reaction time and eyesight. The smart ones know it and compensate. Problem is how do you tell if someone is a danger unless they are tested? It is hard to tell someone that they are losing there independence and mobility, but if they are a danger, there really is no other choice.

 

when they cant see over the dash, they are a danger. at any age.

 

That won't help too much. They still can't talk and concentrate on driving at the same time.

 

You're right, it wouldn't be an absolute cure, but I think cell phones are the single biggest distraction drivers face. Anything to alleviate it helps.

 

Cell phones: Illegal to use while driving in most states. This doesn't stop most people from using them when they drive though. I agree with all of you that said there should be periodical tests. And about the teenage drivers, you could call me one, I'm still in high school. But seriously, a lot of people let a few bad confrontations speak for the whole group of people. Think about when y'all were teenagers and how willing you were to do stupid stuff. Me, I'm not much of a daredevil unless someone thinks they are faster than me but I only race when there are very very few cars on the road. Like I said, area specific driving ages. Urban area, higher driving age, longer permit/provisional license time. Rural area, current age or at least 14 or 15, less likelihood of damaging a lot of property and crashing. And what I have noticed, girls are becoming way more dangerous than guys. You will see a female driver putting on make up, talking on the cell phone, digging through her purse, and driving all at the same time! I have seen it before, no lie. Guess which activity has the least amount of concentration? Driving. That's why I don't understand why my insurance is higher because I'm a guy when the girls are worse than us. I'm not saying all girls, but quite a few I've noticed.

 

Actually my husband who has a 97 f350 4x4 is a little bit younger than me and has had his share of tickets has cheaper insurance than I do which im ticket and accident free (knock on wood lol)

When he turned 21 his insurance droped about 30 dollars a month...when I turned 21 mine went up. So im beginning to think they realize girls cant drive<<<<<and thats coming from one.

I refuse to ride with my friends (that are girls) they scare the ___ out of me. They will be doing their makeup, talking on the phone and trying to talk to me all while "driving"


The problem with having to take a test every few years is that while people are taking this test they are typically not doing 10 other things while driving they concentrate on their driving. So while the instructor or who ever is riding along with them they may seem like a pretty good driver.

 

Are you going to put the drivers in a seal compartment so they can't talk to a passenger? Areyou going to make it illeagal for a person to eat while driving? To drink a thirstbuster? Outlaw Manual ransmissons? Because they might prevent people from having both hands on the wheel. What about radios?

It is a societal issue. People don't take responsibility for what they are doing. People don't prioritize their actions while driving. As my flight instructor said Aviation, Navigate, Communicate. Basically keep the airplane in the air, worry about where your going, then talk on the radio. Cars are the same, people need to understand they have to make the driving a priority and all other things come in some order after that. This should take care of younger and middle age as much is possible and still have free will.

As for the real topic, Yes elderly people should be tested regularly. It is difficult for some people to realize they are losing the ability to properly react. It is also difficult for the families of these people to say enough at some point. But it is also their responsiblity. For those that don't have families the testing should be sufficent to filter most.

Randy

 

What's your problem, pal? You don't have to take your eyes off the road to take a drink, and you don't have to take your hands off the wheel to chat with your passenger. I owned a manual trans Dodge for years, and it wasn't distracting me in the least, neither was my radio. Shifting a manual is inherent to maintaining control of your vehicle, not a distraction from it. I don't even know what a radio has to do with anything.
But to make or recieve a cell phone call in the car, you take your eyes off the road to see who is calling, or dial the numbers. One hand is holding the phone, you may use the other to open it if its a flip. All the while paying more attention to the phone than the road. Since I'm as guilty as anyone, I know first hand that they're distracting as hell while driving. For this reason I keep my cell phone time a minimum if I'm driving.
Also, if you read my first post, it was a suggestion that new cars be equipped with bluetooth technology to allow at least hands-free cell phone usuage.
Why don't you think things through before you flame me next time?
Dave