NationStates Jolt Archive

This is a very large festival that I've attended a few times. The fireworks are going on tonight, with huge crowds (300,000 over 3 days), rides on tall sailing ships, live music, a 5K run, car show, etc.
(http://www.sailfest.org/)

NEW LONDON, Conn. - An 89-year-old man driving through a crowd at a summer festival panicked after striking one pedestrian and lurched his station wagon through the throng, injuring 27 people, city officials said.

The car then lurched through the crowd, which witnesses said was about four- or five-people deep.

“People were facing the tracks and didn’t see the car coming,” witness Bill Hoezel told The Day of New London. “The car was moving probably 10 to 15 miles per hour, much quicker than someone trying to edge through a crowd. There was no warning and no screaming, just thump-thump-thump as the bodies were hit.”

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13771391/from/RS.2/

So: When is the right time to take away the keys?

don't such events usually include closing the surrounding streets to such traffic?

missed one.

"When they are proven to be incapable of driving due to vision, hearing loss or anything that can hamper judgement and control."

missed one.

"When they are proven to be incapable of driving due to vision, hearing loss or anything that can hamper judgement and control."

I'm assuming that to be a part of the retest. :)

I don't know about every year. That seems to be a bit of a hassle. Every 2-3 years should suffice.

don't such events usually include closing the surrounding streets to such traffic?

Not all that many. It's a small (~25,000 pop.) waterfront town next to the Interstate, and the population at least quadruples for fireworks night.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_London%2C_Connecticut

I don't know about every year. That seems to be a bit of a hassle. Every 2-3 years should suffice.

It's not like Seniors don't have the time... most of them are retired!

Besides, one could have perfectly good reflexes and dementia at the same time: 3 years I don't think is often enough. Perhaps 2...

I'm assuming that to be a part of the retest. :)
but you state older drivers. age has nothing to do with ability.

but you state older drivers. age has nothing to do with ability.

It doesn't necessarily, but it IS a medical fact that as the body gets older things start to go: hearing, eyesight, reaction time, reflexes, mental accuity... etc. Never mind the actual degenerative diseases.

At least a couple of these played a factor for the 89 year old gent that sent 27 people to the hospital today. I'm sure he's a lovely man and a great guy, but should he be driving? What if someone got killed?

As someone I know once recalled saying to a family member, if you die at your age, it is no tragedy, but if you take someone with you, it is.

As someone I know once recalled saying to a family member, if you die at your age, it is no tragedy, but if you take someone with you, it is.

Yeah... I recall the old joke:

"I want to die in my sleep like my grandpa, not screaming and yelling like everyone else in the car."

This is the same New London that used Eminent Domain to steal private property to give to developers, no?

Figures.

This is the same New London that used Eminent Domain to steal private property to give to developers, no?

Figures.

Yep. Though in both cases, it was the people and not the town that suffered. :(

I think there should be periodic retesting for everyone. Just look at aviation, even general aviation is safer than driving partly because of the periodic tests that pilots have to go through to keep their licenses current.

Of course, a driving test would not be as exhaustive, but still would help to remind people of proper driving and detect those that shouldn't be behind the wheel any more.

Sorry, I just have to laugh. That happened in the same exact place by another guy just a year or two ago.

I say we line a bunch of elderly people on the sidewalk, then randomly let one go for a drive. Eventually, they will all be run over. Problem solved.

Sorry, I just have to laugh. That happened in the same exact place by another guy just a year or two ago.

I say we line a bunch of elderly people on the sidewalk, then randomly let one go for a drive. Eventually, they will all be run over. Problem solved.
*fears what work has done to you*

*Remembers that South Park episode with all the old people driving in it*
Even within the year between retests a person can become unfit to drive, and therein lies the problem.

*fears what work has done to you*
http://www.savingadvice.com/forums/images/smilies/sad/devil-smiley-100.gif

http://www.savingadvice.com/forums/images/smilies/sad/devil-smiley-100.gif
*puts eggs back in fridge*

My mother voluntarily gave up her car when she nearly ran into a telephone pole, she was 80. She was lucky though, she had friends who were able to drive her where she needed to go. Some of the elderly are not so lucky; they live in rural areas or there is no adequate or appropriate transportation available that isn't priced out of their league. If you're going to take away their cars you should be certain that affordable, safe transportation is available for them.

everyone should have to retest every year or two, not just old people. As it stands now, you can get your license at 16 and never again have to prove your a comptetent driver. Sure old people drive slow but they don't really hurt anyone, just piss people off b/c everyone is so impatient. Its the people that think "I'm not old, I know how to drive" that do the dumbest stuff imo

My grandmother stopped driving at about 97. I stopped being willing to ride with her very shortly before she decided she couldn't manage and quit. Your news story could just as easly be about some 17 year old who just got their lisence as some old dude. However, everywhere I know of requires eye tests and things every time you renew your lisence.

My mother voluntarily gave up her car when she nearly ran into a telephone pole, she was 80. She was lucky though, she had friends who were able to drive her where she needed to go. Some of the elderly are not so lucky; they live in rural areas or there is no adequate or appropriate transportation available that isn't priced out of their league. If you're going to take away their cars you should be certain that affordable, safe transportation is available for them.

The New London area has buses and other means of transportation available.

Markreich, are you in the New London area, or did you travel here for SailFest?

Yeah... I recall the old joke:

"I want to die in my sleep like my grandpa, not screaming and yelling like everyone else in the car."

Is- is it bad to laugh at that?:D

The New London area has buses and other means of transportation available.

Markreich, are you in the New London area, or did you travel here for SailFest?

Nope... I'm from Bridgeport, but I love going to SailFest. Unfortunately, I had to miss it this year. :(

Nope... I'm from Bridgeport, but I love going to SailFest. Unfortunately, I had to miss it this year. :(

I'm originally from Shelton, currently live in Ledyard (about 10-15 minutes from Groton and New London), and have never been to SailFest or SubFest. :(

I'm originally from Shelton, currently live in Ledyard (about 10-15 minutes from Groton and New London), and have never been to SailFest or SubFest. :(

I know Shelton very well: back in high school (about 15 years ago) I used to deliver pizza all up and down Bridgeport Avenue and area for Woodside (in that little plaza with the Dunkin Donuts, next to the Sears Hardware).

Yes, I know Ledyard. I am on a first name basis with many of your Croupiers at the Roulette table. ;)

I've never been to SubFest either.