I hate bad old drivers.

[Garfy]

I hate to tell you folks but your going to be 70 one day and may have health issues. Everybody makes mistakes...Hope you weren't rude to her

I agree about making blanket statements because I'm 71 and quite capable in driving (I don't use the backup camera going into a stall as I can judge better the "old school" way of looking at both sides and the rear; I only use the beep warning on how close I am to the back). I do use glasses but have no need for hearing aids, etc. You'd be surprised how vast the range of physical and mental abilities are for people in similar age groups; some 50-year-olds are worse than I am and I'm sure you could come up with a number of examples including people in their 30's as well who suck at driving. Besides, there's a lot of seniors (over 65) on this forum who are quite fit and I kind of wish I could look like them (and they're older than I am).

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[BossPapa]

Oh boy this post escalated quickly, didn’t it? I’m an OG and not offended in the least because I’m not a bad driver, but have a solution to offer here. How about we all spend more time enjoying driving our cool cars and less time on the keyboard??

 

[JetGray_Mach1]

Oh boy this post escalated quickly, didn’t it? I’m an OG and not offended in the least because I’m not a bad driver, but have a solution to offer here. How about we all spend more time enjoying driving our cool cars and less time on the keyboard??

 

[Trap]

Just last year a woman in her 70s ran over and killed someone pulling out of a parking space in a local mall parking lot because she thought she was hitting the brake but was actually hitting the accelerator. That's a far cry from some teenager who rear-ends you because they were texting.

So what's the hell is the difference if the teen texting someone rear ends you and kills someone. No difference. Your thinkings seems a little warped

 

[Dan2023]

I completely understand your frustration, myself I wouldn’t be able to sleep for weeks if that happened to my car,
The two points I’m gonna make, first is correct me if I’m wrong but 80% of people on this form have some kind of second vehicle for their daily driving, personally my Mach 1 sees asphalt maybe two days a week, second, that could’ve been your grandmother, mother, sister, Sister-in-law whomever, would you want them treated or discriminated against for their age and poor judgement, think about it,
At the end of the day, I would be pissed, but my reaction and public display of emotion would be kept to a minimum,

 

[Pistol_91]

Your perception is not backed up by statistics.

The FLHSMV stated that drivers between the age of 25 to 29 caused the most accidents in the state of Florida at 79,457 crashes, with 206 of these being fatal.
https://www.flhsmv.gov/pdf/crashreports/crash_facts_2021.pdf

Is Pinellas county different from the entire state of Florida? Probably, I looked for that county specifically but couldn't find and didn't want to spend anymore time looking.

I'm in my 40s so not attacking you, just pointing out that we have plenty of bad drivers of all ages.

Oh I believe that statistic. Definitely. The entire state clumped into one though is a stretch. Jacksonville is a lot different than here, or Sarasota, or fort Myers. Miami is a lot different as well. The West Coast is the retirement side of Florida and there aren't many places to choose from. To think older people aren't bad drivers though, is a little naive. Majority doesn't mean all, just means most.

 

[AZ_Ryan]

So what's the hell is the difference if the teen texting someone rear ends you and kills someone. No difference. Your thinkings seems a little warped

Seriously?

The difference is one is a careless mistake from being distracted, and the other is gross incompetence of not understanding the basic operatation of a motor vehicle.

One person should have put down their phone, the other doesn't understand what the pedals do and should never be allowed behind the wheel.

If you honestly think it's the same thing...I don't know what to tell you.

 

[JetGray_Mach1]

I wonder if this thread will surpass the Mach 1 vs gt350 discussion.

 

[Trap]

Seriously?

The difference is one is a careless mistake from being distracted, and the other is gross incompetence of not understanding the basic operatation of a motor vehicle.

One person should have put down their phone, the other doesn't understand what the pedals do and should never be allowed behind the wheel.

If you honestly think it's the same thing...I don't know what to tell you.

It's both gross incompetence for the driers, texting while drive is gross incompetence
I don't know what to tell you.

Give it a break

 

[Charlemagne]

So what's the hell is the difference if the teen texting someone rear ends you and kills someone. No difference.

There is a big difference. Negligence vs incapability. Same result but different reasons. The negligent persons should know better and pay attention but the old person's physical and psychical health can be deteriorated to a point where they have cognitive issues. They pay attention but they see wrong or hear wrong or have slow reactions. Two completely different reasons. I'd say the teen texting is worse though, as that could be easily avoided and it's really their parents fault. Then again both are often very stubborn and refuse external input and advice, tough to help either... At some point in late life people start to behave more and more like children. Not all obviously, but some aspects are sometimes noticable. We'll all get there

 

[ScottyRyan2018]

Oh boy this post escalated quickly, didn’t it? I’m an OG and not offended in the least because I’m not a bad driver, but have a solution to offer here. How about we all spend more time enjoying driving our cool cars and less time on the keyboard??

Come on man, we can do them both at the same time!!!

(sneaks away before getting flamed...)

 

[Skye]

Some years ago, my family had to petition the state...

As someone who has recently lived the experience, I can understand and empathize.

Specific to the issue of the keys and driving, I had a sit-down with the family member and explained we were cutting off support and contact until they stopped and handed over the keys. Fortunately, that was enough. But I realize this won't work in every situation.

Being non-residents, we couldn't petition the court and assume guardianship. Another option was a health assessment by the state, with the state taking control. Calling authorities on a family member is not a situation welcomed by anyone, but sometimes it's the only option.

While age was a factor in my experience, it doesn't have to be. We faced a like situation with a co-worker, someone in their 50s starting to display tells of Alzheimers; they had no immediate family willing to help. We began working with state reps and ultimately forced the situation. It was humbling, but the state afforded this person legal and other protections they didn't have before.

Over time, I've realized these situations are incredibly common.

To anyone who might be approaching such scenarios, begin researching topics and have the difficult discussions as soon as possible. It's not going to be easy, happen quickly or be a straight line.

Regarding legal documents involving these matters, I'm not a lawyer, but I found at least two to be pointless.

Financial Power of Attorney? Worthless. Short of dragging their body into the bank to prove I was telling the truth, banks would not believe anything. Legal documents, lawyers, notarized statements from doctors: financial institutions felt it was all a scam.

If similar scenario is possible, try to get joint access or ownership of the asset. I realize with all the variables this might not happen. Considering my experience, plan your finances accordingly. You might be assisting for some time. Likewise, offer help or assume paying their bills. You can work with them and open electronic access which you can then control. It alleviates them of the burden while ensuring things are paid for and services remain active.

Healthcare Power of Attorney? Not really necessary, unless there's a disagreement amongst family members. When the 3 am phone call happens, people aren't going to break out and review legal documents. There will be quick and blunt discussions.

Wills? Yes. A will on-file will smooth out probate. The process can involve several rounds of notarized documents and court orders. While a will does not alleviate the family of that burden, it prevents some aspects from being even more time-consuming or complicated.

Front man (or woman). Establish one person as the front person for the family. It's a responsibility which could involve leaving the job for a meaningful amount of time. Some companies are great at supporting the caregiver while holding their employment position. And there are federal guidelines to enable. Having a single person as the family rep will streamline everything.

Back on topic...

- Some good people, for whatever reason, end up in a bad situation. It unfortunate, but happens

- Forty-five to fifty percent of the tickets in my area cite "distracted driving" as the primary cause of the accident or ticket. I do not think my county is unique

- If one considers being "impaired" to include alcohol , illegal drugs, prescription drugs, mental illness and physical limitations or disabilities, roughly 20% of drivers across the country are not "fit to drive" at any given time. But drive they do, for any number of reasons

 

[Trap]

There is a big difference. Negligence vs incapability. Same result but different reasons. The negligent persons should know better and pay attention but the old person's physical and psychical health can be deteriorated to a point where they have cognitive issues. They pay attention but they see wrong or hear wrong or have slow reactions. Two completely different reasons. I'd say the teen texting is worse though, as that could be easily avoided and it's really their parents fault. Then again both are often very stubborn and refuse external input and advice, tough to help either... At some point in late life people start to behave more and more like children. Not all obviously, but some aspects are sometimes noticable. We'll all get there

Yes but neither one should be on the road, if that is how they drive. I agree that distracted driving is worse.

 

[Genxer]

Keep in mind that “having a hard conversation“ and/or “taking the keys away” may or not work in every case. We tried all that with my Dad to no avail whatsoever. He just gave us the finger. Finally, after his 95th birthday it got so bad that we had to place an anonymous call to his local county’s SO, who sat outside the gate to his subdivision and slow trailed him until he screwed up. Didn’t take long. They then pulled his plates and notified his insurance company. They later busted him riding his Rascal down the fast lane of S.C. 4-lane state highway 72 headed downtown in Greenwood. He was hard core all the way.

It worked with my Mom. She’s gone now but I never had to worry about the car thing. She mostly understood. Her leaving the house on foot is a whole other conversation.

I think driver training / licensing should be more stringent, and the law needs to be more punitive with law breakers. Just in the last year I had a parked car wiped out by an uninsured woman who was charged with DUI. She went to jail… again. In the same year my wife was hit in the rear by an unlicensed 14 year old. The lazy cops wouldn’t even investigate it.

 

[Rapid Red]

So what's the hell is the difference if the teen texting someone rear ends you and kills someone. No difference. Your thinkings seems a little warped

Nice way of saying that..Oh man that is funny

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