My 84 year old dad wants to buy a new car - discuss.

[Anonymous]

If he has the money and is ok to drive, why not? The new car will probably be safer.

[Anonymous]

My dad did the same thing around the same age. I felt the dealership was a bit predatory since he traded in a five-year old car with very few miles on it to buy a new car he didn't need. But I didn't say anything since he seemed to derive pleasure from the purchase. He barely drove the new car because he moved into assisted living shortly after buying it, and it was parked in my garage for years until he passed. My DC drives it now and feels lucky to have gotten a free car with few miles on it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is so irresponsible and dangerous. 84 year olds shouldn't be driving. This is how we end up with cars crashing through pedestrians or into buildings/homes.

At least make him take and pass a real driving test before buying a vehicle.

Do you think 16 year olds should be driving? They have far riskier behaviors and are more dangerous.

Younger people are still gaining experience, will be driving for decades to come, and need to drive in order to go to work/school.

Old people don't work. Their accidents aren't caused by a cause of experience that will improve over time, but rather a loss of physical and mental ability that will continue to deteriorate over the short remainder of their lives.

16 year olds also had to recently pass a drivers test. If 80 year olds are going to drive, they should need to pass a drivers test every couple years. And their licenses should be suspended after strokes and other cognitive-impairing health events until they retake the test.

Or, better for everyone, they should take public transit and/or Uber.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would allow it but make a plan. For example, have him identify whose car it will be once he cannot drive. Make sure he’s understanding he may only drive the car a short time. Then let him. As you say, it’s his money

“Allow” it?

+100. The hubris.

"Hubris" is a 84-year-old thinking that they're still able to drive.

Though, many probably realize they shouldn't. They just don't care if they kill someone.

[Anonymous]

Plenty of 80 year olds are working and need cars to get to their jobs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd get a car with a lot of extra safety features.

Which almost always means a newer car.
See Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s ratings (Especially for teen drivers !)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is so irresponsible and dangerous. 84 year olds shouldn't be driving. This is how we end up with cars crashing through pedestrians or into buildings/homes.

At least make him take and pass a real driving test before buying a vehicle.

Do you think 16 year olds should be driving? They have far riskier behaviors and are more dangerous.

Younger people are still gaining experience, will be driving for decades to come, and need to drive in order to go to work/school.

Old people don't work. Their accidents aren't caused by a cause of experience that will improve over time, but rather a loss of physical and mental ability that will continue to deteriorate over the short remainder of their lives.

16 year olds also had to recently pass a drivers test. If 80 year olds are going to drive, they should need to pass a drivers test every couple years. And their licenses should be suspended after strokes and other cognitive-impairing health events until they retake the test.

Or, better for everyone, they should take public transit and/or Uber.

Well then vote for Democrats, because at present the quality of public transition in our country is abysmal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If he has the money and is ok to drive, why not? The new car will probably be safer.

He's 84-years-old. He's not OK to drive. And while a new vehicle may be safer for him, I don't think his victims will mind much solace in that after he drives that new car into them because he forgot where the brakes were.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is so irresponsible and dangerous. 84 year olds shouldn't be driving. This is how we end up with cars crashing through pedestrians or into buildings/homes.

At least make him take and pass a real driving test before buying a vehicle.

Do you think 16 year olds should be driving? They have far riskier behaviors and are more dangerous.

Not that's the point. There's a minimum age on when to start driving, there should bee a maximum age on when to stop driving as well. Or at least competency and roads testson both ends of the age spectrum

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is so irresponsible and dangerous. 84 year olds shouldn't be driving. This is how we end up with cars crashing through pedestrians or into buildings/homes.

At least make him take and pass a real driving test before buying a vehicle.

Do you think 16 year olds should be driving? They have far riskier behaviors and are more dangerous.

Younger people are still gaining experience, will be driving for decades to come, and need to drive in order to go to work/school.

Old people don't work. Their accidents aren't caused by a cause of experience that will improve over time, but rather a loss of physical and mental ability that will continue to deteriorate over the short remainder of their lives.

16 year olds also had to recently pass a drivers test. If 80 year olds are going to drive, they should need to pass a drivers test every couple years. And their licenses should be suspended after strokes and other cognitive-impairing health events until they retake the test.

Or, better for everyone, they should take public transit and/or Uber.

Well then vote for Democrats, because at present the quality of public transition in our country is abysmal.

I do. But if he's old and talking about buying a new car, he clearly has money to pay Uber drivers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My father is 82 and just bought a new car. Then he drove it about 2000 miles on a road trip. The man freaking loves to drive. If something happens to him while driving, well, he died doing what he loved.

It's one thing if your dad loves skiing alone on mountains and if he dies doing that, he died doing what he loves. Your dad could murder a child, a parent, a loved one of someone. You have to think of other people. It's not just about you and your dad.

OP, I would ask him to get a test at the DMV. Statistically speaking his reflexes are more likely to be poor and his driving skills much weaker. Have him prove you wrong and see if he will do this yearly for peace of mind.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As an aside, can people not be allowed to drive when they reach a certain age? Maybe 80 or 85. Maybe 90. Whatever is reasonable. For the safety of us all.

There needs to be a law requiring driving tests at a certain age based on research. I know far too many cases of those over 75 causing anywhere from disability to death in innocent victims because they were too selfish to make sure they were safe to driver.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'd get a car with a lot of extra safety features.

Which almost always means a newer car.
See Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s ratings (Especially for teen drivers !)

Crumple zones protect the driver, not the 8-year-old kid that driver just plowed into.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is so irresponsible and dangerous. 84 year olds shouldn't be driving. This is how we end up with cars crashing through pedestrians or into buildings/homes.

At least make him take and pass a real driving test before buying a vehicle.

Do you think 16 year olds should be driving? They have far riskier behaviors and are more dangerous.

This is a poor argument. Some may be impulsive, but their reflexes, vision, hearing and other abilities are far stronger.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My father is 82 and just bought a new car. Then he drove it about 2000 miles on a road trip. The man freaking loves to drive. If something happens to him while driving, well, he died doing what he loved.

I want to die peacefully in my sleep, like my grandfather. Not screaming and yelling like the passengers in the other cars.