vol
11-09-10, 11:28 AM
As boomers age, 1 in 5 drivers will be oldsters (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_aging_drivers)
Advocacy & Safety - Beware: 1 in 5 drivers will be oldsters
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genec
11-09-10, 11:37 AM
Interesting that they are discussing 65 year old motorists and then make these statements:
"Older drivers who are healthy aren't necessarily any less safe than younger drivers. But many older drivers are likely to have age-related medical conditions that can affect their driving.
A 40-year-old needs 20 times more light to see at night to see than a 20-year-old, Coughlin said. Older drivers generally are less able to judge speed and distances, their reflexes are slower, they may be more easily confused and they're less flexible, which affects their ability to turn so that they can look to the side or behind them."
I wonder if they have considered the judgment of a 40 year old experienced motorist vice that of a 20 year old, the latter who may have been driving for only 2 years.
On the other hand, those motorists that have been on the road for a number of years may not be aware of laws that have changed or been enacted since they last read a motorists handbook. Many states for instance enacted laws pertaining to cyclists in the '70s, where as a 65 year old motorist may have first started to drive in the early '60s.
I recall discussing with my father the fact that it was legal for me to bike on the streets in all 50 states... he had no idea that cyclists had such rights, and thought that motorists were merely doing cyclists a favor by permitting them on the road.
"Older drivers who are healthy aren't necessarily any less safe than younger drivers. But many older drivers are likely to have age-related medical conditions that can affect their driving.
A 40-year-old needs 20 times more light to see at night to see than a 20-year-old, Coughlin said. Older drivers generally are less able to judge speed and distances, their reflexes are slower, they may be more easily confused and they're less flexible, which affects their ability to turn so that they can look to the side or behind them."
I wonder if they have considered the judgment of a 40 year old experienced motorist vice that of a 20 year old, the latter who may have been driving for only 2 years.
On the other hand, those motorists that have been on the road for a number of years may not be aware of laws that have changed or been enacted since they last read a motorists handbook. Many states for instance enacted laws pertaining to cyclists in the '70s, where as a 65 year old motorist may have first started to drive in the early '60s.
I recall discussing with my father the fact that it was legal for me to bike on the streets in all 50 states... he had no idea that cyclists had such rights, and thought that motorists were merely doing cyclists a favor by permitting them on the road.
crhilton
11-09-10, 11:45 AM
I recall discussing with my father the fact that it was legal for me to bike on the streets in all 50 states... he had no idea that cyclists had such rights, and thought that motorists were merely doing cyclists a favor by permitting them on the road.
I doubt the laws changed in that respect, he probably just didn't hear any of them as they pertained to cycling.
I doubt the laws changed in that respect, he probably just didn't hear any of them as they pertained to cycling.
noisebeam
11-09-10, 12:17 PM
"A 40-year-old needs 20 times more light to see at night to see than a 20-year-old,"
Really?
http://www.visualexpert.com/Resources/olderdrivers.html
Really?
http://www.visualexpert.com/Resources/olderdrivers.html
B. Carfree
11-09-10, 12:36 PM
I don't know about the older motorists, but this older cyclist doesn't see as well as I did thirty years ago and certainly has flexibility issues that impact, to some degree, my safety on the road. Maybe it is a good thing I don't drive anymore.
gcottay
11-09-10, 01:15 PM
Beware: 100% of Drivers and Cyclists Are Human
vol
11-09-10, 01:25 PM
100% of Drivers and Cyclists Are Human
Not true.
Not true.
genec
11-09-10, 01:25 PM
I doubt the laws changed in that respect, he probably just didn't hear any of them as they pertained to cycling.
Really? Go check the laws pertaining to cyclists in your state. John Forester will tell you that many states did not have laws pertaining to cyclists before he worked out the laws in CA. I know that the laws pertaining to cyclists in CA were put in place in the early '70s. Prior to that, just what were the "rights" of cyclists on the roadways of America?
Only some 10 or so years ago the drivers education handbook for CA first started to include information pertaining to cyclists. Only in the past 3-5 years has there been any bicycle related item on the drivers written test.
While bicycles have existed in the US since the 1890s or so, what really was their legal status on the roadways?
And of course you may also be right with respect to what drivers "hear" when they learn the laws when they are learning to drive... that seems to be a continuing issue.
Really? Go check the laws pertaining to cyclists in your state. John Forester will tell you that many states did not have laws pertaining to cyclists before he worked out the laws in CA. I know that the laws pertaining to cyclists in CA were put in place in the early '70s. Prior to that, just what were the "rights" of cyclists on the roadways of America?
Only some 10 or so years ago the drivers education handbook for CA first started to include information pertaining to cyclists. Only in the past 3-5 years has there been any bicycle related item on the drivers written test.
While bicycles have existed in the US since the 1890s or so, what really was their legal status on the roadways?
And of course you may also be right with respect to what drivers "hear" when they learn the laws when they are learning to drive... that seems to be a continuing issue.
531phile
11-09-10, 02:32 PM
As boomers age, 1 in 5 drivers will be oldsters (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_aging_drivers)
That link is broken, besides, I already knew this was coming. We are going to see more incidents like that Santa Monica one where that older gentlemen plowed into the farmer's market.
That link is broken, besides, I already knew this was coming. We are going to see more incidents like that Santa Monica one where that older gentlemen plowed into the farmer's market.
TheHen
11-09-10, 05:13 PM
Really? Go check the laws pertaining to cyclists in your state. John Forester will tell you that many states did not have laws pertaining to cyclists before he worked out the laws in CA. I know that the laws pertaining to cyclists in CA were put in place in the early '70s. Prior to that, just what were the "rights" of cyclists on the roadways of America?
Only some 10 or so years ago the drivers education handbook for CA first started to include information pertaining to cyclists. Only in the past 3-5 years has there been any bicycle related item on the drivers written test.
While bicycles have existed in the US since the 1890s or so, what really was their legal status on the roadways?
And of course you may also be right with respect to what drivers "hear" when they learn the laws when they are learning to drive... that seems to be a continuing issue.
At least CA requires drivers to retake the written test every so often. In OR, once you pass you never have to take it again. Luckily, most OR residents come from out of state, so they had to retake the test to get an OR license. Of course there are no questions about bikes on the test.
I think you may be wrong about when the driver's handbook in CA began including info on bikes. I left a decade ago and I seem to remember seeing a very small piece on bikes in the mid-90's. Small quibble, your larger point regarding the relative newness of laws regarding our 19th century conveyances seems unassailable.
Only some 10 or so years ago the drivers education handbook for CA first started to include information pertaining to cyclists. Only in the past 3-5 years has there been any bicycle related item on the drivers written test.
While bicycles have existed in the US since the 1890s or so, what really was their legal status on the roadways?
And of course you may also be right with respect to what drivers "hear" when they learn the laws when they are learning to drive... that seems to be a continuing issue.
At least CA requires drivers to retake the written test every so often. In OR, once you pass you never have to take it again. Luckily, most OR residents come from out of state, so they had to retake the test to get an OR license. Of course there are no questions about bikes on the test.
I think you may be wrong about when the driver's handbook in CA began including info on bikes. I left a decade ago and I seem to remember seeing a very small piece on bikes in the mid-90's. Small quibble, your larger point regarding the relative newness of laws regarding our 19th century conveyances seems unassailable.
genec
11-09-10, 06:06 PM
At least CA requires drivers to retake the written test every so often. In OR, once you pass you never have to take it again. Luckily, most OR residents come from out of state, so they had to retake the test to get an OR license. Of course there are no questions about bikes on the test.
I think you may be wrong about when the driver's handbook in CA began including info on bikes. I left a decade ago and I seem to remember seeing a very small piece on bikes in the mid-90's. Small quibble, your larger point regarding the relative newness of laws regarding our 19th century conveyances seems unassailable.
That "decade ago" corresponds to my "some 10 or so years ago" if you are willing to accept "or so" as a few years. Really it is quite interesting to look at the age of the cycling laws and the progression of things like the handbooks and driving tests... I really have to wonder what is being taught in drivers' ed these days regarding cyclists... that is one thing I haven't checked or watched. My son assured me that when he took drivers' ed some 7 years ago, they did briefly mention cyclists.
I think you may be wrong about when the driver's handbook in CA began including info on bikes. I left a decade ago and I seem to remember seeing a very small piece on bikes in the mid-90's. Small quibble, your larger point regarding the relative newness of laws regarding our 19th century conveyances seems unassailable.
That "decade ago" corresponds to my "some 10 or so years ago" if you are willing to accept "or so" as a few years. Really it is quite interesting to look at the age of the cycling laws and the progression of things like the handbooks and driving tests... I really have to wonder what is being taught in drivers' ed these days regarding cyclists... that is one thing I haven't checked or watched. My son assured me that when he took drivers' ed some 7 years ago, they did briefly mention cyclists.
Creakyknees
11-09-10, 06:07 PM
also: almost half of all drivers have below-average skills behind the wheel.
seeker333
11-09-10, 11:18 PM
"A 40-year-old needs 20 times more light to see at night to see than a 20-year-old,"
Really?
http://www.visualexpert.com/Resources/olderdrivers.html
Interesting link. Thank you.
Really?
http://www.visualexpert.com/Resources/olderdrivers.html
Interesting link. Thank you.
009jim
11-10-10, 03:09 AM
As boomers age, 1 in 5 drivers will be oldsters (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_aging_drivers)
Those boomers will all be driving late model cars with better lights and brakes and other safety features. So there's a higher probability you'll encounter a more cautious driver in a safer car than in times gone by.
Those boomers will all be driving late model cars with better lights and brakes and other safety features. So there's a higher probability you'll encounter a more cautious driver in a safer car than in times gone by.
chipcom
11-10-10, 07:05 AM
If you young punks don't like my driving, GET OFF THE SIDEWALK!
mikeybikes
11-10-10, 08:42 AM
If you young punks don't like my driving, GET OFF THE SIDEWALK!
Someone let you out of the nursing home? Or did they finally get broadband there?
Someone let you out of the nursing home? Or did they finally get broadband there?
no motor?
11-10-10, 08:53 AM
If you young punks don't like my driving, GET OFF THE SIDEWALK!
And stay off my lawn too!
I work in a city that's kind of like Miami - it's full of oldsters, immigrants who may or may not have learned to drive in another culture and lots of crumbling infrastructure. It's interesting to be on the streets (or sidewalks) most days.
And stay off my lawn too!
I work in a city that's kind of like Miami - it's full of oldsters, immigrants who may or may not have learned to drive in another culture and lots of crumbling infrastructure. It's interesting to be on the streets (or sidewalks) most days.
High Roller
11-10-10, 11:32 AM
Stupidity knows no age bounds. Perhaps an intelligence test should be included with the driver's exam as well:
http://www.idahostatesman.com/2010/11/10/1412002/police-warn-motorists-to-scrape.html
Even worse than the driver's behavior is the paltry fine assessed.
http://www.idahostatesman.com/2010/11/10/1412002/police-warn-motorists-to-scrape.html
Even worse than the driver's behavior is the paltry fine assessed.
ghettocruiser
11-10-10, 12:27 PM
WTF?
Night-vision goggles are now on my 40th birthday list...
Night-vision goggles are now on my 40th birthday list...
CB HI
11-10-10, 01:09 PM
Really? Go check the laws pertaining to cyclists in your state. John Forester will tell you that many states did not have laws pertaining to cyclists before he worked out the laws in CA. I know that the laws pertaining to cyclists in CA were put in place in the early '70s. Prior to that, just what were the "rights" of cyclists on the roadways of America?I do not have the time right now to look for all the links and background, but:
JF's efforts in the 1970s were to prevent restrictive laws on cyclist from being inacted. He admits to being only partially effective and was able to keep the worst of the proposed restrictions from being included. Other states then put in place much of the new CA cycling restrictions. Prior to 1970 there were few restrictions on cyclist.
There was even a case in the late 1800s or early 1900s that affirmed cyclist rights to use roads. As I racall, that was the case dealing with cyclist and trolly cars.
JF's efforts in the 1970s were to prevent restrictive laws on cyclist from being inacted. He admits to being only partially effective and was able to keep the worst of the proposed restrictions from being included. Other states then put in place much of the new CA cycling restrictions. Prior to 1970 there were few restrictions on cyclist.
There was even a case in the late 1800s or early 1900s that affirmed cyclist rights to use roads. As I racall, that was the case dealing with cyclist and trolly cars.
B. Carfree
11-10-10, 02:53 PM
I do not have the time right now to look for all the links and background, but:
JF's efforts in the 1970s were to prevent restrictive laws on cyclist from being inacted. He admits to being only partially effective and was able to keep the worst of the proposed restrictions from being included. Other states then put in place much of the new CA cycling restrictions. Prior to 1970 there were few restrictions on cyclist.
There was even a case in the late 1800s or early 1900s that affirmed cyclist rights to use roads. As I racall, that was the case dealing with cyclist and trolly cars.
Several years ago I read a book on cycling history. It said that in the late 1800s cyclists were fighting to be allowed to ride on the sidewalk. Of course, that was the smoothest surface around (often a boardwalk) and beat the heck out of riding on rocks and mud with non-pneumatic tires. No wonder it was the cyclists who got the road surfaces paved.
Of course, once Chipcom got a car none of the cyclists wanted to ride on sidewalks anymore.:50:
JF's efforts in the 1970s were to prevent restrictive laws on cyclist from being inacted. He admits to being only partially effective and was able to keep the worst of the proposed restrictions from being included. Other states then put in place much of the new CA cycling restrictions. Prior to 1970 there were few restrictions on cyclist.
There was even a case in the late 1800s or early 1900s that affirmed cyclist rights to use roads. As I racall, that was the case dealing with cyclist and trolly cars.
Several years ago I read a book on cycling history. It said that in the late 1800s cyclists were fighting to be allowed to ride on the sidewalk. Of course, that was the smoothest surface around (often a boardwalk) and beat the heck out of riding on rocks and mud with non-pneumatic tires. No wonder it was the cyclists who got the road surfaces paved.
Of course, once Chipcom got a car none of the cyclists wanted to ride on sidewalks anymore.:50:
Artkansas
11-10-10, 03:00 PM
Beware: 100% of Drivers and Cyclists Are Human
As a kid I saw a chimpanzee driving down the street at the wheel of an Austin Healey.
http://www.bouncinghedgehog.com/2009/12/03/chimpanzee-caught-driving-in-florida/
And here's a picture.
Ape who drives like 60 (http://books.google.com/books?id=8FMEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA11&lpg=PA11&dq=bob+slover+cappy&source=bl&ots=Btzqgd0zKF&sig=IxOvUJ6iOYFuM8PNSdkaR8AZTVY&hl=en&ei=PiJsS_LSGce0tgfI-8mWBg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=8&ved=0CBcQ6AEwBw#v=onepage&q&f=false)
As a kid I saw a chimpanzee driving down the street at the wheel of an Austin Healey.
http://www.bouncinghedgehog.com/2009/12/03/chimpanzee-caught-driving-in-florida/
And here's a picture.
Ape who drives like 60 (http://books.google.com/books?id=8FMEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA11&lpg=PA11&dq=bob+slover+cappy&source=bl&ots=Btzqgd0zKF&sig=IxOvUJ6iOYFuM8PNSdkaR8AZTVY&hl=en&ei=PiJsS_LSGce0tgfI-8mWBg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=8&ved=0CBcQ6AEwBw#v=onepage&q&f=false)