Advocacy & Safety - Baby boomers getting older, retiring & still wanting to drive.

This is kind of a segway from a few other threads that mention baby boomers getting older, retiring & still wanting to drive.

First of all I am glad to know a lot of baby boomers are cyclists. I know & are friends with quite a few because of cycling.

If it is one undeniable fact about a good majority of the baby boomer generation it is the I'm entitled to everything attitude. I know this is true for a lot of generations but the BB's takes the cake when it comes down to it.

I wonder what will happen when the the BB's start having to give up their driving priviliges. Will it be more difficult to prevent them from driving then it is the current generation this is happening to? They think they are entitled to everything so what will happen?

you live to piss people off, don't you?

.........(it's segue)...............................They think they are entitled to everything so what will happen?

When we are pushed to the wall, we will turn on the next generation coming up and massacre most of them. This will go a long way toward relieving the pent up social pressures of overpopulation. Be careful how you treat us..... you do NOT want to piss us off.:eek:

I thought that people stopped spitting on Viet Nam Vets a long time ago.

If it is one undeniable fact about a good majority of the baby boomer generation it is the I'm entitled to everything attitude. I know this is true for a lot of generations but the BB's takes the cake when it comes down to it.

I wonder what will happen when the the BB's start having to give up their driving priviliges. Will it be more difficult to prevent them from driving then it is the current generation this is happening to? They think they are entitled to everything so what will happen?
Do you think this is only a trait of the Baby Boomers? I think you just described the majority of Americans, regardless of age. Many have good intentions, and don't think twice about their choice to drive, and even drive large, heavy vehicles.

Most of think in terms of "they". "They" will find a new form of transportation. "They" have invented a car that runs on water. "They" will discover an endless source of free, cheap energy. With this logic, you can fill in the blank with just about anything. "They" ________

more older(50+) people with more free time voting more often

fewer young people with less free time voting less often

could this become the next big issue? - oops, too late we're already there

I just wonder, with ever increasing life expectancy, if it will ever balance out but that's another matter all together

Of course if they kill themselves in auto accidents it just may save social security.

Your oldest Boomer is 61, not to terribly old.

If it is one undeniable fact about a good majority of the baby boomer generation it is the I'm entitled to everything attitude. I know this is true for a lot of generations but the BB's takes the cake when it comes down to it.
As a tail-end Boomer, I think this attitude gets progressively worse with each younger generation. It's all me, me, me and now, now, now. Too many people expect instant gratification and it just doesn't happen, so they get upset.

I also think that a lot of the problem with bad driving, whether related to age or other factors, could be solved by requiring all holders of a DL to periodically retest. More extensive testing than is currently required that would also cover 1st aid, basic maintenance, legal requirements for pedestrians and cyclists, etc.

As a tail-end Boomer, I think this attitude gets progressively worse with each younger generation. It's all me, me, me and now, now, now. Too many people expect instant gratification and it just doesn't happen, so they get upset.

I also think that a lot of the problem with bad driving, whether related to age or other factors, could be solved by requiring all holders of a DL to periodically retest. More extensive testing than is currently required that would also cover 1st aid, basic maintenance, legal requirements for pedestrians and cyclists, etc.

I qualified for my DL in 1977, when if you could drive around the block, and parrallel park without hitting another vehicle, you got your licence. For my employer (courier company), I recently had to retest (to qualify for a driving position), this meant a new written and road test, I passed both by a healthy margin, in a big courier van no less. Yeah, I agree with you, retesting is a good idea, should be a written test every licence renewal, to see how well your knowledge is holding up. If you do really well on the written test, say 90+% then that's probably a sufficient, test of knowledge. If you get say 80% - 90% you need to take a road test as well, less then 80, well, you can buy a drivers handbook for $5, and go study, if you then pass, you still need a road test, no matter how high you score. Here is the kicker, no pass, no licence..... The DOT would have say 10 different tests, with some different questions, and the ones that are the same, but have different answers.

So what some fo you are saying is cyclists are safe from BB's resisting giving up their driving due to problems associated with age for at least another 15 to 20 years.

BTW, my generation, often refered to as generation X is as I understand it why we have a lot of safety items in households now. Things like the plastic electric outlet plug covers, the sink cabinet door locks, the bumpers for the corners of coffee tables & the blow up bumper for tub faucets. I guess we got hurt to much as children so now as parents we want to prevent that with our own kids. If you ask me it helped make us tough. I think a lot of kids these days are a little too soft & weak & maybe not as adventureous. It was not uncommon for me to come home with skinned up knees, etc from playing. These days it seems parents freak out about it. My mom just said don't get blood on the carpet & clean up before dinner. It was also because of my generation that wearing a bike helmet became a big issue. I never wore on, as far as I knew they didn't exist. Or they were to expensive for mom to afford, you could not find one at the local dept. store like you can now.

So what happened between my generation & the current one? I'm all for being safe, but let kids go out & get dirty & maybe a little skinned up, it's good for them.

If it is one undeniable fact about a good majority of the baby boomer generation it is the I'm entitled to everything attitude. I know this is true for a lot of generations but the BB's takes the cake when it comes down to it.
Well shoot, are you sure this is undeniable?
I have never met a baby boomer that felt like they were intitled to any thing they didnt earn through thier own hard work.
So I think it is a very deniable fact.
Which would in fact mean its not a fact.



I wonder what will happen when the the BB's start having to give up their driving priviliges. Will it be more difficult to prevent them from driving then it is the current generation this is happening to? They think they are entitled to everything so what will happen?

Same thing that will happen when they have to start taking things away from you that you dont want to give up.


What is really interesting is how you felt the need to insult the people that build bicycles.
The people that created the people that ride bikes today.
You, a person that obviously feel you are intitled to the things you want, a person that obviously feels your rights are being violated by the majority, feels the need to insult the very people that fought and died to give you the things you want.

Are there any people that you actually like?

Are you really willing to give up the the things you beleive in, to prove that people shouldnt have the right to persue the things they enjoy.

I hate being called a baby boomer by a generation that cant keep their pants on.
I hate being called a baby boomer by the generation that b..... ah s**t what s the use.

Bet you really hate them folks that fought in the civl war.:(

So what some fo you are saying is cyclists are safe from BB's resisting giving up their driving due to problems associated with age for at least another 15 to 20 years.



No,
You are just as safe from our generation as you are from your generation.
We aint out to kill you or take away your rights.

You'll want to drive as long a possible too, don't kid yourself.

jw

So what happened between my generation & the current one?

24/7 sensationalized news, governmental nannyism, and sensitivity training.

24/7 sensationalized news, governmental nannyism, and sensitivity training.
And don't forget liability lawsuits...

IMHO we aren't going to have to worry too much about babyboomer drivers drivng at age 80...go read the Peak Oil thread;)

Aaron:)

And don't forget liability lawsuits...

IMHO we aren't going to have to worry too much about babyboomer drivers drivng at age 80...go read the Peak Oil thread;)

Aaron:)

You're right I forgot about that. I just got done reading The Long Emergency too. It is very possible we'll run out of oil or it will become way to expensive to produce it in my lifetime, I'm going to be 35 in Nov.

Explain to me how someone can be sued for a kid getting hurt while playing on public land. My brother & I used to go down to a creek exploring & walking along it ended at the river where access was blocked off for saftey reasons but we could climb up from the creek bed before we got to the access & into a city park. The whole area is still public land. Had we been hurt I don't think my mom could have sued it is land for public use. Cities also post signs in parks with rules & regs. plus a disclosure that states use is at your own risk. Maybe this is not worth anymore then the material it is printed on but doesn't it prevent the cities from being sued for anything other then their neglience? Also there is a lot of playground equipment still used in city parks that fall under a grand-father clause & maybe even the land itself does too.

This is kind of a segway from a few other threads that mention baby boomers getting older, retiring & still wanting to drive.

First of all I am glad to know a lot of baby boomers are cyclists. I know & are friends with quite a few because of cycling.

If it is one undeniable fact about a good majority of the baby boomer generation it is the I'm entitled to everything attitude. I know this is true for a lot of generations but the BB's takes the cake when it comes down to it.

I wonder what will happen when the the BB's start having to give up their driving priviliges. Will it be more difficult to prevent them from driving then it is the current generation this is happening to? They think they are entitled to everything so what will happen?


I really wonder why you would post something like this.

It's a lot like talking before really thinking what you are saying. You make a generalization about an entire generation of citizens and say:

"If it is one undeniable fact about a good majority of the baby boomer generation it is the I'm entitled to everything attitude."

The only undeniable fact I can see is that you are a wannabe elitist who seems to think anyone really cares what you think.

you live to piss people off, don't you?

You almost nailed him ... you forgot to mention he is a Socialist with a touch of Elitist

So what is your favorite dystopia senerio ??

Road Warrior
Blade Runner
Omega Man
On Golden Pond
Rapture

I lean toward Road Warrior myself..the fashions are cooler.

They'll take my keys when they pry 'em from my cold dead fingers !!

Okay, as a BB, going to be 61 soon, I feel that I can comment on this, but it applies only to myself. Before I do, I have a few specific comments to make.

So what happened between my generation & the current one? I'm all for being safe, but let kids go out & get dirty & maybe a little skinned up, it's good for them....

...Also there is a lot of playground equipment still used in city parks that fall under a grand-father clause & maybe even the land itself does too.
Kids need to get dirty--that's how they get their minerals if you don't provide it in their diet ;) That comes from my zoology professor from Oregon State University in the 1960s. Kids in extremely clean environments don't get their immune systems in gear to meet the challenges of this earthly environment.

When you take your kids to the playground, and see this old equipment, break the chains apart. If they have not been replaced since the playground equipment was installed, it is possible that the links are worn and about to part. I've investigated a school ground where this actually happened for a little girl, who was over pavement swinging (the swing set was placed on pavement), going up when the chain broke. She landed on her head and was in a coma for awhile. I then checked my kid's playground at their school, and found the same thing. So check it out before you trust your kids to old playground equipment.


You'll want to drive as long a possible too, don't kid yourself.
As I said, I cannot speak for others, but I don't expect to drive beyond when I'm capable of doing it. When will that be? Only time will tell. But I expect to be bicycling, swimming and diving (skin and scuba) into my 80, and perhaps beyond.

We are a very diverse generation, so you cannot peg us all with one statement. Some will have problems, so won't. Some protested Vietnam, and some of us served in it too. It's an individual thing, and I think you cannot generalize anything about BBs. I will also be doing a lot of walking.

If you'll remember the Indian Wars (maybe they don't cover that in schools these days), there was one Apache chief who, when jumped by the US Army, ran out into the desert for many, many miles and was not caught. I think he was in his 90s at the time. (I'll remember his name sometime around 2 AM tomorrow morning.)

John

PS--Well, it apparently was Chief Victorio, and he wasn't in his 90s, but age 52 when he led his Mimbreno Apaches away from the US Army for three years in 1877. That probably seems like the 90s seem today to a grade schooler. Here's a link:

http://www.greatdreams.com/apache/apache-warriors.htm

Maybe we could just line em up against the wall when they come of age?

If they're incapable of navigating a car, we surely don't want them wandering about on foot or a bike. Let's herd them all in a pen, strip them of thier belongs and implement a solution.

What age are you looking at? Should we have a gradual phase in, maybe minorities first, or just go for it and have a Crystal Night kind of event.

Your goose stepping is leaving heel marks in the hall.

If you'll remember the Indian Wars (maybe they don't cover that in schools these days), there was one Apache chief who, when jumped by the US Army, ran out into the desert for many, many miles and was not caught. I think he was in his 90s at the time. (I'll remember his name sometime around 2 AM tomorrow morning.)

John

PS--Well, it apparently was Chief Victorio, and he wasn't in his 90s, but age 52 when he led his Mimbreno Apaches away from the US Army for three years in 1877. That probably seems like the 90s seem today to a grade schooler. Here's a link:

http://www.greatdreams.com/apache/apache-warriors.htm

Remember also Geronimo (real name: Goyathlay) the Apache leader who resisted ethnic cleansing & was pursued by one-quarter of the US Army & some 3000 Mexican soldiers. With only a small number of his band left, he surrendered in 1886 at age 57 after years of guerrilla combat in the unforgiving desert.

http://www.indians.org/welker/geronimo.htm

I'm going to be 35 in Nov.
REEEEALLY???
I had you pegged at North of 80! Sitting in your single wide mobile home, all by yourself, watching the world go on by without you. And hating every minute of it!

Elderly drivers who were driving long past their capability to do so safely has been a problem since the WWII generation. I remember my grandma's driving. Oooh. Gives me shivers. But at least she never drove an SUV text messaging with one hand, drinking a latte with the other, and periodically slapping the kids in the back seat while folding laundry on the freeway.

Elderly drivers who were driving long past their capability to do so safely has been a problem since the WWII generation. I remember my grandma's driving. Oooh. Gives me shivers. But at least she never drove an SUV text messaging with one hand, drinking a latte with the other, and periodically slapping the kids in the back seat while folding laundry on the freeway.

Slapping kids in the back seat? You're kidding right? These days that will get you in trouble with DHS, child protective services, law enforcement, etc. I think it is more like you kids behave or I'm taking away your X-box, or what ever fancy new high tech toy the kids have these days.

being a first year baby boomer, i think you have things mixed up a bit.

You'll want to drive as long a possible too, don't kid yourself.

jw

Nope, not N_C. He doesn't think that way. His skills will never diminish. All those safety items that his Gen X is responsible for have been around a long time - but he assumes he (or his Gen X) can take credit for them while, at the same time, he totally neglects to consider that the BB generation has made its fair share of contributions or that its appetite for self-gratification actually was the catalyst that resulted in some of the creature comforts developed by the BB's that N_C takes for granted. N_C will never cause or be the victim of an accident either on his bike or while he drives a car because he is just too smart, and, as for growing old, it will never happen to him.

Caruso

I concur that motorists continuing to drive when they are no longer physically able to do so safely are a major public health menace, but the octagenarian who mowed down a bunch of folks in the Santa Monica Mall is a full generation ahead of the boomers. Don't single out any particular generation, but help become part of the solution, by advocating in favor of: 1) individual accountability; 2) improved public transit; 3) periodic retesting of motorists of all ages; and 4) well-interconnected roads with 25-35mph / 40-55kph speed limits, to accommodate NEVs.

So what some fo you are saying is cyclists are safe from BB's resisting giving up their driving due to problems associated with age for at least another 15 to 20 years.

But you should be afraid anyway, I might fall asleep at the wheel and wake up with my boot in your butt.

But you should be afraid anyway, I might fall asleep at the wheel and wake up with my boot in your butt. You tell 'em, Chip! (We Boomer Bianchi Tre Tubi owners have to stick together.)

Being born in '67, I'm an old Gen-X'er (or more aptly, a Baby-Buster (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baby_Busters)) and from my perspective the major problem(s) I have with Boomers [as a collective] is that they wield too much demographic power, and as they get older will demand (and get) more and more.

Nope, not N_C...growing old, it will never happen to him.

Probably not if he keeps tooting his Air Zound at strangers.

I concur that motorists continuing to drive when they are no longer physically able to do so safely are a major public health menace...

You must not have bothered to look up any statistics before you came to this conclusion. Please check the Statistical Abstract of the United States, Table 1096, available online at the US census website (google "statistical abstract") There you will find that, in the year 2003, 75 and older drivers represent 6.5% of all licensed drivers, yet they involved in only 2.9% of accidents. This means that the elderly have a lower than average accident rate.

Contrast this to drivers 19 years and younger. These represent 4.8% of licensed drivers, yet they are involved in a whopping 22.1% of accidents! 20-24 year olds fare little better, representing 8.4% of all drivers and being in 18.3% of accidents.

From this, I'd say that drivers less than 25 years old are the "major public health menace".

75 and older drivers represent 6.5% of all licensed drivers, yet they involved in only 2.9% of accidents. This means that the elderly have a lower than average accident rate.


Means absolutely NOTHING unless correlated to miles driven.
Oldsters are notorious for causing mayhem in a 5 mile radius.

has the OP confused the baby boomers with the Gen X and gen nexters?

boomers are the last of the stalwart americans with generational integrity, if there can be such a thing.

its the younger gen that is me, me, me, gottsta have it now immediacy. NOT boomers. and boomers largely HAVEN'T retired yet- they haven't reached mandatory retirement age yet! only the very frugal, lucky, wealthy, invalid, fully vested, or dirtbag among them are 'retired.'

Ask your Baby boomer buddies (who should most all remember when there wasn't any color TV, credit cards, cell phones or overnight delivery) how much 'instant gratification' they got when they were younger......

Oldsters are notorious for causing mayhem in a 5 mile radius.

Means absolutely NOTHING without a link to objective statistics.

If it is one undeniable fact about a good majority of the baby boomer generation it is the I'm entitled to everything attitude. I know this is true for a lot of generations but the BB's takes the cake when it comes down to it.
Finally, someone figured out that it really is all about me!

Ooh, ooh! I almost forgot to tell y'all, the 14th was my birthday! :bday:

I'll take cash, don't send any stupid clothes.

Oldsters are notorious for causing mayhem in a 5 mile radius.

Young drivers never cause any problems by exceeding the speed limit, weaving in and out of traffic lanes, talking on cell phones, driving recklessly and popping zits in the rearview mirror. :rolleyes:

RENEW! RENEW!

http://www.stomptokyo.com/img-m1/logans-run2.jpg

RENEW! RENEW!

http://www.stomptokyo.com/img-m1/logans-run2.jpg

I call your renew and raise you a sanctuary

I wonder what will happen when the the BB's start having to give up their driving priviliges. Will it be more difficult to prevent them from driving then it is the current generation this is happening to? They think they are entitled to everything so what will happen?





I wonder what will happen when N_C will have to give up his/her driving priviliges. He/she thinks he/she is entitled to everything so what will happen?

If it is one undeniable fact about a good majority of the baby boomer generation it is the I'm entitled to everything attitude. I know this is true for a lot of generations but the BB's takes the cake when it comes down to it.

Given your age of 35, you most likely were the offspring of members of the baby boomer generation. This isn't a nice way to talk about mom and dad.

Young drivers never cause any problems by exceeding the speed limit, weaving in and out of traffic lanes, talking on cell phones, driving recklessly and popping zits in the rearview mirror. :rolleyes:


Sure they do. And that's why there's a slew of regulation regarding teen drivers.
I just think we should apply some regulation (retesting) for the decrepit.

Sure they do. And that's why there's a slew of regulation regarding teen drivers.
I just think we should apply some regulation (retesting) for the decrepit.

I think some retesting makes sense. But I would strongly prefer a process with some thought behind it, not just the blind use of a number. E.g not just you are over x years old you have to be tested every year, every thing. There is no reason to think older drivers suddenly lose the skills/knowledge. But eyes do start to go (and are easy to test). Start eye testing at 60 don't have just pass/ not pass. Have good, pass, fail. Good buys 3 or 4 years, pass just one or two. Same with other factors that could be deteriorating. Base the next test on a bit more than just age. At 65 I intend to still be playing Rugby, and not just olde boys games. On the other side I've seen people that at 65 have more than one foot in the grave.

Also how about making an accident when aging an automatic trigger for retesting? Many of the old farts that make the news seem to have a record of tickets and accidents. Poor driving seems to me a far better reason to suspect future poor driving than simply age (young or old).

Slapping kids in the back seat? You're kidding right? These days that will get you in trouble with DHS, child protective services, law enforcement, etc.

Nope. You can still slap your kids.

Nope. You can still slap your kids.
The OP will have to satisfy his urge to administer discipline with somebody else's kids for now. Or at least get off obsessing about it.

Also how about making an accident when aging an automatic trigger for retesting? Many of the old farts that make the news seem to have a record of tickets and accidents. Poor driving seems to me a far better reason to suspect future poor driving than simply age (young or old).

So just being logical, (prob a bad move in this thread!) if we all begin to age at age zero, everyone who has an accident should be retested regardless of age. I like it!

Sure they do. And that's why there's a slew of regulation regarding teen drivers.
I just think we should apply some regulation (retesting) for the decrepit.
Decrepit huh? Well, let's get into a Judo Dojo, or a swimming pool, and see who gets out. Or maybe I'll try racing you on a long downhill in my Rans Stratus ;)

Better be careful who you call decrepit.

John