Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is just awful. Senseless pain and death. And preventable.

If we had more infrastructure for alternate modes of transport, fewer elderly people would insist on driving (so would a lot if other people who might accidentally lose control of a vehicle). The man driving this vehicle could have been on a bus, train, light rail, etc.

If we had stricter emissions requirements for vehicles, we would have smaller, lighter cars that would cause less damage. We could also implement safety standards for cars that assess impact on pedestrisns, I stead of just evaluating how safe a car is fir the people inside it. The vehicle was a large SUV. Had it been a small sedan, there might have been fewer casualties and perhaps no one would have died. SUVs are incredibly dangerous to the human body because they suck bodies down and under the vehicle. Smaller vehicles tend to toss them up and over, which is still terrible but generally less deadly.

If our streets were designed with a focus on pedestrians, diners, shoppers, children, etc., instead of traffic, these incidents are less likely and, even if they do happen, less deadly because cars travel at lower rates of speed and pedestrian areas tend to be protected by sidewalks, trees, bike lanes, etc. Your proximity to traffic is much less.

While the man losing control of his vehicle could indeed “happen to anyone”, there are a half dozen policy choices here that contributed to these people dying. We could make other choices.

x10000000

Exactly the point. But, people don't want to take care of their elderly parents, never mind drive them anywhere. Plus, old people can be stubborn, and their offspring just don't want to deal with them. What needs to happen is a law that prohibits anyone over 80 driving. Period. Too bad that your children don't want to drive you, they have to step up.

You won't get very far with this when you have ageist language and enlist ageist stereotypes. The correct term is "older adults" and they are not a monolith. Plenty of people from 10-80 who are stubborn.

PP here. I'm an old person, so sit down and talk to me when you are my age.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is just awful. Senseless pain and death. And preventable.

If we had more infrastructure for alternate modes of transport, fewer elderly people would insist on driving (so would a lot if other people who might accidentally lose control of a vehicle). The man driving this vehicle could have been on a bus, train, light rail, etc.

If we had stricter emissions requirements for vehicles, we would have smaller, lighter cars that would cause less damage. We could also implement safety standards for cars that assess impact on pedestrisns, I stead of just evaluating how safe a car is fir the people inside it. The vehicle was a large SUV. Had it been a small sedan, there might have been fewer casualties and perhaps no one would have died. SUVs are incredibly dangerous to the human body because they suck bodies down and under the vehicle. Smaller vehicles tend to toss them up and over, which is still terrible but generally less deadly.

If our streets were designed with a focus on pedestrians, diners, shoppers, children, etc., instead of traffic, these incidents are less likely and, even if they do happen, less deadly because cars travel at lower rates of speed and pedestrian areas tend to be protected by sidewalks, trees, bike lanes, etc. Your proximity to traffic is much less.

While the man losing control of his vehicle could indeed “happen to anyone”, there are a half dozen policy choices here that contributed to these people dying. We could make other choices.

x10000000

Exactly the point. But, people don't want to take care of their elderly parents, never mind drive them anywhere. Plus, old people can be stubborn, and their offspring just don't want to deal with them. What needs to happen is a law that prohibits anyone over 80 driving. Period. Too bad that your children don't want to drive you, they have to step up.

You won't get very far with this when you have ageist language and enlist ageist stereotypes. The correct term is "older adults" and they are not a monolith. Plenty of people from 10-80 who are stubborn.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is just awful. Senseless pain and death. And preventable.

If we had more infrastructure for alternate modes of transport, fewer elderly people would insist on driving (so would a lot if other people who might accidentally lose control of a vehicle). The man driving this vehicle could have been on a bus, train, light rail, etc.

If we had stricter emissions requirements for vehicles, we would have smaller, lighter cars that would cause less damage. We could also implement safety standards for cars that assess impact on pedestrisns, I stead of just evaluating how safe a car is fir the people inside it. The vehicle was a large SUV. Had it been a small sedan, there might have been fewer casualties and perhaps no one would have died. SUVs are incredibly dangerous to the human body because they suck bodies down and under the vehicle. Smaller vehicles tend to toss them up and over, which is still terrible but generally less deadly.

If our streets were designed with a focus on pedestrians, diners, shoppers, children, etc., instead of traffic, these incidents are less likely and, even if they do happen, less deadly because cars travel at lower rates of speed and pedestrian areas tend to be protected by sidewalks, trees, bike lanes, etc. Your proximity to traffic is much less.

While the man losing control of his vehicle could indeed “happen to anyone”, there are a half dozen policy choices here that contributed to these people dying. We could make other choices.

x10000000

Exactly the point. But, people don't want to take care of their elderly parents, never mind drive them anywhere. Plus, old people can be stubborn, and their offspring just don't want to deal with them. What needs to happen is a law that prohibits anyone over 80 driving. Period. Too bad that your children don't want to drive you, they have to step up.

Anonymous wrote:This recently happened in Florida. Elderly woman, man killed dining outside at restaurant. Woman not charged, because it was an "accident."

Honestly I think after 65, everyone needs to be retested every 5 years.

Hell, I wouldn't mind everyone being tested every 5 years, because lord knows there are so many people who never should have received licenses in the first place

Anonymous wrote:Both of my 75 year old parents still work, run four miles everyday, and look like they are 55! I couldn’t see taking their licenses!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
For the love of God, can we please just take people's car keys away on their 80th birthday. Nothing funny about this, at all.

This could happen to anyone - not paying attention, health emergency, drugs/alcohol....Scary.

It has already been stated that it was an elderly driver who confused the brake and gas pedals.

Omg

Anonymous wrote:Drove past this morning and it’s still a devastating scene. I was surprised at how much hasn’t been cleaned up yet. So sad. I’ve had thoughts before when eating outdoors on busy streets how the traffic is dangerously close.

Things like this get to me. I think about details like it was a beautiful day and I bet people had that casual chat about choosing to sit outside to enjoy the weather. How the staff must feel to have served these folks, not knowing what was about to happen. So awful.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Both of my 75 year old parents still work, run four miles everyday, and look like they are 55! I couldn’t see taking their licenses!

Then presumably they’d pass a driving test.

Anonymous wrote:My dad is over 80 and in great health, and no, I don’t think his license should be taken away just because he hit some chronological marker. BUT, health issues obviously take downturns more quickly the older you get, so I do think once you hit a certain age you should be required to decertify your license every year. I even agree with the PP who said younger people should every 5 or even 10 years. It’s kind of crazy that you can get a license at 16 and then never have to prove your ability to handle a 2000+ vehicle ever again.

So many things had to align for this to happen. There was no traffic coming south on a busy street which enabled him to cross several lanes of road. There just happened to be an open parking spot between two parked cars that he drove though. One day later and it would be snowing and no one would have been out there. Just so many random coincidences. The owner of the Parthenon knows the driver. Says he’s been coming to the lounge for 15 years and is a very nice guy. So many lives ruined.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My mom is 90 and drives, one mile, to the local shopping center. She is scared to get into a taxi with a stranger.

I wish no one was permitted to drive until age 18 and under very strict conditions such as in Europe. I am a high school teacher and i cannot believe these 16 year olds are driving. They can barely read and have no concentration.

As a parent, my kids were permitted to drive at 18 and with the grades they should be getting.

Actually, it should be closer to 24 and not 18. There is a reason most insurance companies won't rent to under 21.

Do you have any idea how many ADULTS under the age of 24 actually drive as part of their job? Society wouldn't be able to function without many of these essential people being able to drive.

then it is a risk we make as a society

Great. Please be the first one to volunteer NOT to have your loved one transported in an ambulance when they have a medical emergency.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My mom is 90 and drives, one mile, to the local shopping center. She is scared to get into a taxi with a stranger.

She's a bigger risk to the rest of us than a taxi driver is to her

Anonymous wrote:This is just awful. Senseless pain and death. And preventable.

If we had more infrastructure for alternate modes of transport, fewer elderly people would insist on driving (so would a lot if other people who might accidentally lose control of a vehicle). The man driving this vehicle could have been on a bus, train, light rail, etc.

If we had stricter emissions requirements for vehicles, we would have smaller, lighter cars that would cause less damage. We could also implement safety standards for cars that assess impact on pedestrisns, I stead of just evaluating how safe a car is fir the people inside it. The vehicle was a large SUV. Had it been a small sedan, there might have been fewer casualties and perhaps no one would have died. SUVs are incredibly dangerous to the human body because they suck bodies down and under the vehicle. Smaller vehicles tend to toss them up and over, which is still terrible but generally less deadly.

If our streets were designed with a focus on pedestrians, diners, shoppers, children, etc., instead of traffic, these incidents are less likely and, even if they do happen, less deadly because cars travel at lower rates of speed and pedestrian areas tend to be protected by sidewalks, trees, bike lanes, etc. Your proximity to traffic is much less.

While the man losing control of his vehicle could indeed “happen to anyone”, there are a half dozen policy choices here that contributed to these people dying. We could make other choices.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This recently happened in Florida. Elderly woman, man killed dining outside at restaurant. Woman not charged, because it was an "accident."

Honestly I think after 65, everyone needs to be retested every 5 years.

Hell, I wouldn't mind everyone being tested every 5 years, because lord knows there are so many people who never should have received licenses in the first place

AARP now has the most well funded lobbying arm in DC. The testing you suggest will never happen.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My mom is 90 and drives, one mile, to the local shopping center. She is scared to get into a taxi with a stranger.

I wish no one was permitted to drive until age 18 and under very strict conditions such as in Europe. I am a high school teacher and i cannot believe these 16 year olds are driving. They can barely read and have no concentration.

As a parent, my kids were permitted to drive at 18 and with the grades they should be getting.

Actually, it should be closer to 24 and not 18. There is a reason most insurance companies won't rent to under 21.

Do you have any idea how many ADULTS under the age of 24 actually drive as part of their job? Society wouldn't be able to function without many of these essential people being able to drive.

then it is a risk we make as a society

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My mom is 90 and drives, one mile, to the local shopping center. She is scared to get into a taxi with a stranger.

I wish no one was permitted to drive until age 18 and under very strict conditions such as in Europe. I am a high school teacher and i cannot believe these 16 year olds are driving. They can barely read and have no concentration.

As a parent, my kids were permitted to drive at 18 and with the grades they should be getting.

Actually, it should be closer to 24 and not 18. There is a reason most insurance companies won't rent to under 21.

Do you have any idea how many ADULTS under the age of 24 actually drive as part of their job? Society wouldn't be able to function without many of these essential people being able to drive.