$^@)!! Old People!! Rider down in MN

[Black Ice]

Well, the Geriatric Nation has struck again.      
 
Yesterday, I get a call from the wife.  Her brother, out on his Fat Boy and five miles from home, got T-boned by a 900-year-old bitch who just had to keep driving even though she's obviously not fit to do so any more.

He lost seven pints of blood, shattered both legs and pelvis, and is going into surgery tomorrow.  Hopefully he'll be able to walk again, but it's kinda touch-and-go right now.  No brain damage, though...and given that he's the typical 'wind-in-the-hair' Hog rider, that's hella lucky.  

If we're going to have drivers' licenses in this country, they need to damn well mean something, or they're worthless.  Given that the population of older folks in the US is going to keep rising, I recommend at least yearly testing of anyone over retirement age.  Can't pass?  Take the damn bus.

I just hope she remembered to send in her insurance payments, because this is going to be quite expensive.

[Jeff N]

Oh shit. Hope it all works out for your brother-in-law. Damn.  

I agree with the senior citizen proficiency testing. They have such a thing here in CA.

Both my parents are in their mid 70's. Mom gave up her license years ago because she doesn't care to drive. Dad recently had to take the test, laughed at it, and passed with flying colors and I would happily ride shotgun with him. But as he ages I pay attention. You just have to.

[bedlamite]

I can't agree with senior citizen testing because of the simple fact that there are a lot of younger people that shouldn't be on the road. I'd like to see a required road test every 5 years for EVERYONE. It also needs to be much more difficult than the current test that will give a license to anyone that is breathing.

I hope your BIL heals soon.

[JIMLARCH]

Well, the Geriatric Nation has struck again.      
 
Yesterday, I get a call from the wife.  Her brother, out on his Fat Boy and five miles from home, got T-boned by a 900-year-old bitch who just had to keep driving even though she's obviously not fit to do so any more.

He lost seven pints of blood, shattered both legs and pelvis, and is going into surgery tomorrow.  Hopefully he'll be able to walk again, but it's kinda touch-and-go right now.  No brain damage, though...and given that he's the typical 'wind-in-the-hair' Hog rider, that's hella lucky.  

If we're going to have drivers' licenses in this country, they need to damn well mean something, or they're worthless.  Given that the population of older folks in the US is going to keep rising, I recommend at least yearly testing of anyone over retirement age.  Can't pass?  Take the damn bus.

I just hope she remembered to send in her insurance payments, because this is going to be quite expensive.

My dad was 78 when he died, and up to the day he died he was a good driver.  Just because you are old, doesn't make you a bad driver.  People seem to forget that a young, bad driver, turns into an old, bad driver.  

[Black Ice]

My dad was 78 when he died, and up to the day he died he was a good driver.  Just because you are old, doesn't make you a bad driver.  People seem to forget that a young, bad driver, turns into an old, bad driver.  

True, but a young, good driver can become an old, bad driver.  The onset of senility, failing senses...these can strike anyone.

I knew a guy who was 74 and used to be the getaway driver for his crew.  I'd ride with him anytime.  But some folks just get to the age when they can't drive any more.  And if that happens to me, I hope someone knocks me down and takes my keys.

[stefrrr]

I'm really sorry to hear about your brother-in-law. I hope he pulls through.  

[mxvet57]

2 weeks ago i was riding in the U.P. of Michigan and i saw a car with it's left turn signal so thinking he was going to turn i chopped the throttle. shure enough he turned. fortunately i was slowing down and on the brakes to miss him. yes he was elderly.

i was pissed off to say the least but i just brushed it off as just stupidly.

[Jeets]

"old" people vote.  No politician is going to touch that idea!

[dm_gsxr]

And there's a lot more old people now.

Here's hoping your BIL heals up.

Carl

[doug06z]

My prayers go to your BIL for a full recovery. I could'nt agree more that the BMV's need to stop being so easy on these older folks. You can be nearly blind and they will still pass you on the eye exam ( I actually witnessed this once). The older you get the slower your reaction senses are. How many older folks you see behind the wheel, hands at 10 and 2 and they look as if they have tunnel vision with no clue of their surroundings. Scares the hell out of me  

[Jeff N]

2 weeks ago i was riding in the U.P. of Michigan and i saw a car with it's left turn signal so thinking he was going to turn i chopped the throttle. shure enough he turned. fortunately i was slowing down and on the brakes to miss him. yes he was elderly.

i was pissed off to say the least but i just brushed it off as just stupidly.

My reading comprehension sensors were optimal. My sarcasm alert system was down because the wife and kids were yappin'. Fortunately, my think before you post firewall was up and running.

Dat there is funny. Ooofda!

[RickC1957]

Hope all turns out well.

I unfortunately have a elder woman in my neighborhood that I'm almost positive the stunt double for the old woman driving in "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" I always wonder when she will kill someone

[Black Ice]

This is Jen, "the ol' lady". I was reading the responses you sent in regards to my brother. I want to thank you all for your well wishes. It darn near brought me to tears to know people care out there. Yesterday I was terrified that he wouldn't make it and I am stranded 2000 miles away. I thought at best he would survive, but without legs. He had lost circulation in both legs and they couldn't find a pulse in either. And as I am sure you all would understand, if Jeremy was without legs and not able to ride again...it would kill him. But, thankfully, it looks like they saved both legs and today they put him through hours of surgery to put pins, screws and whatever else they needed in his legs. It will be months until he walks again, but it looks like he will. Thank you to everyone for your thoughts and prayers. I will let you know what he says about it when they take him out of the coma. It's amazing what modern medicine can do. And I am sure that by fall he will be back on a new Hog. (Hopefully wearing a helmet!)

[atadaskew]

Wow.  Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

[doug06z]

That's great news Black Ice, do keep us posted

[Jeff N]

Hi Jen,

So, you've got access to Black Ice's account, right?

Cool. Just stay out of certain areas, cuz, well, if you know him you know what I mean.  

It's good to hear some positive news. Hang in there and post updates, because good news helps us all.

Honestly, we're all wishing the best.

[Snowbird]

This is Jen, "the ol' lady". I was reading the responses you sent in regards to my brother. I want to thank you all for your well wishes. It darn near brought me to tears to know people care out there. Yesterday I was terrified that he wouldn't make it and I am stranded 2000 miles away. I thought at best he would survive, but without legs. He had lost circulation in both legs and they couldn't find a pulse in either. And as I am sure you all would understand, if Jeremy was without legs and not able to ride again...it would kill him. But, thankfully, it looks like they saved both legs and today they put him through hours of surgery to put pins, screws and whatever else they needed in his legs. It will be months until he walks again, but it looks like he will. Thank you to everyone for your thoughts and prayers. I will let you know what he says about it when they take him out of the coma. It's amazing what modern medicine can do. And I am sure that by fall he will be back on a new Hog. (Hopefully wearing a helmet!)

 

  X____insert God of your choice here___X


And ditto what Jeff N said.  

[Shhted]

Best wishes to your BIL, BI.

After taking my road test for my MC endorsement I waited in line for a new DL photo.  An elderly gent was ahead of me.  The DMV employee asked the gent to stand on the "X" for his photo.  He shuffles ala Tim Conway over to the "X".  Stands squarely on it...facing the background not the camera.  He still got his.    

[Hickey]

I think my state, Illinois, has a testing program for elderly drivers.  I don't know how often testing is required but I do know that they will take away a license if the test is failed.  That happened to a great-uncle of mine.  And yes, it was time for him to give up driving.

Very young drivers are terribly dangerous, but most get much better at it with practice.  Their skill and safety ought to continually improve over the next decade of driving.  But as we become elderly, there is a decrease in driving performance/safety that practice cannot alleviate.  In fact the effect is just the opposite of youth, in that as time goes on the ability to drive safely continually decreases.

There is no harm in our driving laws reflecting that condition.  Most laws do reflect the effect of youth and inexperience with testing, classes, and age restrictions.  But then so too should those laws reflect the effects of advancing age.  Not with an arbitrary cut off age for driving, but with mandatory testing of competency.  That way those who can and do drive with skill and safety in advanced age can continue to do so, but those who can't are removed from the road.  I'll let those who know more about aging decide at what age that should begin.

I'm relieved to hear that your BIL is on the road to recovery, Black Ice.  I'll keep you and your family in my thoughts.

[Dr Gil]

As a person who is probably going to have to cross that "age" bridge before most of the rest of you I've gotta say I mostly agree with you BI (but without the anger).

We should probably all be required to take driving/riding tests at the minimum of once every couple of years...no reason to single out seniors.