Advocacy & Safety - Another senseless tragedy.

http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/2123912,CST-NWS-biketrip26.article

Though it is indeed a tragedy and assuming the driver had taken his required yearly test, it seems like a freak accident and has little to do with safety/advocacy.

Though it is indeed a tragedy and assuming the driver had taken his required yearly test, it seems like a freak accident and has little to do with safety/advocacy.

Haven't scientists and doctor's proven that once a person reaches a certain age that their reflexes, vision, muscle tone, etc. slows down and they can't react as fast as they did when they were younger? Doesn't that make it safety related?

How many people are killed or injured every year by old people who should no longer be driving?

According to the article at his age he was only required to be retested at 81 years old, it isn't until 86 years old (if I remember correctly) that one has to be tested yearly.

And his age aside, why isn't he being ticketed" Isn't falling asleep at the wheel, or even just ramming into someone some sort of offense?

People who are the age of the motorist mentioned in the article, shouldn't be driving. Just like a teen not being able to test for their license until a certain age, people older than a certain age shouldn't be allowed to renew their license, period.

He won't be charged with the girl's death but might face traffic citations, Illinois State Police Sgt. Mark Zimmerman said.

This really bothers me. Tragic senseless death = just a typical traffic accident. Death and severe injuries on our roadways should not be getting such cavalier statements from police who are in charge of keeping our roadways safe.

This really bothers me. Tragic senseless death = just a typical traffic accident. Death and severe injuries on our roadways should not be getting such cavalier statements from police who are in charge of keeping our roadways safe.

Me too, it's like the driver is held to a lower standard because he's old and ran into bicyclists. There were a couple of incidents around Chicago where senior drivers drove into crowds of people (one at a farmers market and another at the airport if I remember correctly) and there was a lot of outrage then.

Illinois law requires that drivers between the ages of 80 and 86 to be re-tested every other year, and issues licenses for them only two years at a time. From age 87 upward, licensing is only from year to year, and they must pass the full driving test each time. This fellow was apparently tested last year, and would be due for the annual tests next year. But as anyone dealing with geriatric parents knows, mental and physical skills can deteriorate fast...

He won't be charged with the girl's death but might face traffic citations, Illinois State Police Sgt. Mark Zimmerman said. This really bothers me. Tragic senseless death = just a typical traffic accident. Death and severe injuries on our roadways should not be getting such cavalier statements from police who are in charge of keeping our roadways safe.

It should bother EVERYONE, and it should not under any circumstance be accepted as any kind of "norm." If his children had had the balls to take his keys away from him it would not have happened. If he didn't have any children then it should fall to his doctor to tell the state that he is unfit to continue to drive.

People who are the age of the motorist mentioned in the article, shouldn't be driving. Just like a teen not being able to test for their license until a certain age, people older than a certain age shouldn't be allowed to renew their license, period.

Agreed, and even though as according to the article that he had previously had had a spotless driving record. As we all know all to well, it takes just one crash to destroy multiple lives.

And as it's been said time-and-time again in this and other forums. It is way TOO easy for a person to get their driver's license and way TOO hard to revoke said driver's license.

What was "accidental" about it? The driver crossed the center line with clearly foreseeable results. There is no way this is an accident.


This really bothers me. Tragic senseless death = just a typical traffic accident. Death and severe injuries on our roadways should not be getting such cavalier statements from police who are in charge of keeping our roadways safe.

What was "accidental" about it? The driver crossed the center line with clearly foreseeable results. There is no way this is an accident.

You're right it was just a traffic violation.

Illinois law requires that drivers between the ages of 80 and 86 to be re-tested every other year, and issues licenses for them only two years at a time. From age 87 upward, licensing is only from year to year, and they must pass the full driving test each time. This fellow was apparently tested last year, and would be due for the annual tests next year. But as anyone dealing with geriatric parents knows, mental and physical skills can deteriorate fast...

I live in Illinois, and the Secretary of State here provides an express line for seniors and expectant Mothers when it's time to renew their license. Nothing like making it easier for the most dangerous group of drivers to keep driving.

He won't be charged with the girl's death but might face traffic citations, Illinois State Police Sgt. Mark Zimmerman said.Glad to see the cops are taking this seriously.:notamused:

I live in Illinois, and the Secretary of State here provides an express line for seniors and expectant Mothers when it's time to renew their license. Nothing like making it easier for the most dangerous group of drivers to keep driving.

What do you have against pregnant women?

What do you have against pregnant women?

Don't ask my Sister that, she's due in May!