96-year-old Fights For License, After 20 mph Chase!

The following article appeared in the latest issue (Autumn 2005) of Scottish Life. I thought you guys might appreciate it!

96-Year-Old Fights For His License After 20 M.P.H. "Chase"

Herbert Street from Kirtlebridge, Dumfriesshire, is one of Scotland's oldest drivers. But last January the 96-year-old found himself fighting to keep his license after police said he crept past them when they tried to stop him and then led them on a 20 m.p.h. "chase." It all began when the fan belt on Mr. Street's car broke, which then overheated the car causing steam to billow from the hood. Instead of stopping, Mr. Street decided to drive his car to the garage for repairs.. .but, unfortunately, he couldn't see where he was going because of the steam. After he cut off a truck at a round-about, a motorist called police who tried unsuccessfully to stop Mr. Street. "The police said I was driving to get away from them, but it was just that I couldn't see very well because of all the steam going out of the engine," Mr. Street explained. A hearing on whether to revoke his driver's license has been adjourned until later in the year.

Okay guys, It didn't dawn on me when I posted this that I might be violating copyright laws. If this could be true, could someone please delete this thread for me? I don't want to get myself or CR in any trouble....

Not too bad; around here, they quite frequently end up inside a house, pond, restaurant or storefront, having confused the brake with the accelerator pedal (no, I'm not kidding).

LOL! Too funny Emmet!

The other day, my wife made the comment that she tought that people should automaticaaly be required to lose their license to drive after they reach a certain age. I have mixed thoughts about that. How about the rest of you?

Hmph. So -- we'll have fun, fun, fun til our grandson takes the T-bird away?

No, thanks. I've lived a tree hugger and I'll die a tree hugger -- just let me pick my tree.

What a story Wizard! Thanks for that..

I think they should loose it. I never thought I would say that... Kind of like the too young to drive... Older people can't hear and can't see as well and we all know reaction time slows with age



Slainte

My dad is 82. He needs his license taken away also. But he passed the test. So my brother rigged the truck so it wouldn't start. Dad had somebody work on it. My brother found out and told the guy why. The guy quit working on. Thank goodness for small miracles. I would of been afraid Dad would of killed somebody. He can't hardly walk let alone drive.
It is sad though, you never think when you are young they will get like that. He was a farmer. Very Independent. Didn't want to depend on any one and now if he goes anywhere somebody had to take him.

I think we should be allowed to keep our driving license until we can't pass the tests any more. Most of us older folks are safer drivers then some of you youngsters! Just because we don't drive faster then the allowed limits does not mean we can't drive.

I agree- setting an arbitrary age raises too many issues. People vary, so there would be some under that age who shouldn't drive, and other older than that age who can still drive safely.
Mandatory re-testing raises opther questions. When is testing required? Is it required on a regular basis, and if so at what age do people begin to get re-tested? Testing will drive up administrative costs and increase your wiating time when renewing your license. How intensive will the test be? Will it just be a driving test, or will there be a physical also? If there's a physical, will it be a Sate-provided physician, or can you use your family doctor? Any driver could expect to pay a lot more for their license, and expect to wait longer for renewals. Everything has repurcussions.

I say we all walk... the price of gas..there are so many things to think about with this issue..wow..all ideas are welcome..

Slainte

Somehow I missed this thread last month. Since subhuman bumped it, I will, as always, be glad to offer an opinion.

As a trucker with more than 2 million miles experience, I can honestly say that yes, something should be done to combat the dangers many older people impose on the rest of the motoring public. However, mandatory age limits are not a sound answer because people age differently. Some may be ready to hang up their keys at age 60, while others can be as safe and non-problematic at age 100. My answer is shorter licensing periods at retirement age. Once a person reached 65 they should, at a minimum, be required to renew every 12 months with vision, hearing, and reaction tests. These can all be done with the convenience and simplicity of a computer kiosk with a single button for the user. This plan would likely eliminate dangerously degenerated people from the highways, while allowing those who are both physically and mentally fit to keep enjoying the independence that a motor vehicle provides.

Ahh... but to play Devil's Advocate.....

As you mention, some people should hang up the keys at 60. If this were the case, why would we wait until 65 to start testing people?
You're also setting them to a higher standard required for your own ICC Physical card. Unless you have a questionable condition, you only get re-tested every two years.
I don't disagree with your concerns with aging motorists- if anything I agree. However, the problem we face is when to impose retesting. In my opinion, everyone should be required to be retested on a regular basis.
Which also brings up the next series of questions: a Driver's license is issued by the individual states. Would the Federal Gov't be overstepping its bounds if it passed uniform licensing requirements? Would the gov't step in and withold funding for road maintenence if states didn't comply, much like they did with DUI laws? If a person failed in one state, and there were not uniform laws, would they go to the state next door and get a license issued from there?

I had to post this--thought you might get a kick out of it..it just kind of went with what we were talking about..

https://commcenter.bresnan.net/Session/1460...C3-23C34042C23D

Slainte

Tried to get to the site. It took me to a log in site.