This article appears in Nov 27 – Dec 3, 2008.
Old People Should Not Be Driving
Anyone over the age of 65 should either not be allowed to drive OR be required to be re-tested every year. The reason why i say this is because I was almost hit in a CROSSWALK in broad daylight by some old man who was driving a heavy-duty pickup (Lets ju
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I have had the same problem but in my case it is the women that do this and most of them are on a cell phone and not paying any attention. The problem is only going to get worse with x-mas coming and people in big rushes to go shopping and then go into unbelievable rages when pedestrians are in their way.
Interesting Marie, I usually see MEN yakkin’ on their obnoxious cell phones creating havoc around them. But I do find at unmarked crosswalks that women are more often of the stare-straight-ahead-with-a-death-grip-on-the-wheel variety and almost always drive straight through if the crosswalk has no flashy lights. If I am about to step out and see a man driving I generally know he’ll stop and give me the right-of-way. Women almost never see and stop so I know not to try until they’ve passed. (at least in my experience blah blah disclaimer blah blah.)
Just one thing…because a driver has a reasonable distance in which to stop doesn’t mean they have become aware of your presence. Don’t step into a crosswalk until you have made eye contact. It is common sense in a world where cell phone bans go unenforced.
Considering the size of the F— F-350, the braking distance was probably due to its size. Remember, large vehicles take longer distances to stop. That said, honking at you was rude and I hope this gentleman fails his retest. Also, I think after a certain age you need annual retests, but I’m not 100% on that.”In a world where cell phone bans go unenforced…”. Sounds like a horror film trailer. Dang I miss Don Lafontaine’s voice on movie trailers.
I agree with your statement Matt, however, the driver has a responsibility to be aware of pedestrians at all time. Secondly, if you had read the the initial issue more carefully, you would realize that this was in a crosswalk that has the flashing lights above the crosswalk, and this means that the driver is required to stop until those lights have ceased flashing, regardless if the driver sees anyone or eye contact has been made.
Not just old people who need to be retested. It’s 95% of the drivers in this city. The biggest problem is the mix of dumb drivers and even dumber pedestrians. There should be a competency test for pedestrians in this city. Nobody seems to understand the concept of why jaywalking is illegal. Throw them in with dumb drivers and you get an overflow of bitches on this site. Let the dumb drivers hit the dumb pedestrians, that way, the drivers go to jail and pedestrians get off the road.
I can understand the OPs frustration but what about the young hotheads that drive like they’re invincible? I’ve had some of those little bastards try to run me off the road late at night – out my way, there’s a couple of crashes a month – 90% of the time it’s some 17 or 18 year old guy with a lead foot and a booming bass stereo. I’d like to see the age restrictions for drivers go up to 21.
You know what would stop 99% of people getting hit in crosswalks , we all learned it in elementary . Look both ways and make sure the drivers are stopped and or see you there and make sure it is safe to cross, cmon people we are grown ups . Dont put your life in someone else hands make sure vehicals are stopped before you walk out in front of them. My nine year old little girl can do it . The problem is nobody wants to wait that extra second to make sure all traffic is stopped, you just assume that they will stop because “you have the right of way” and thats the problem. Pedestrians have to start taking some responsibility in their actions , we know there is going to be drivers not paying attention so that means we have to be a little more proactive. All else fails maybe the city should offer a crossing the street safety course or something, god knows there is people in this city that could use it.