down

my 75 year old mother called me one day and told me she
drove two blocks before she realized she was driving on the
wrong side of a two way street. She sold the car to her
cleaning lady right away (with our blessings).

The reason I put this up was on Tuesday while I was riding my bike around here someone swinging wide to pull into a driveway almost ran over me.I saw a shocked look on his face,it was obvious he had not seen me.
It was Sam,he turned 100 last fall.
That speaks for itself.

Glad you are all right, Pete. Wise bikers have to treat all drivers as idiots or drunk--to protect themselves!

That said, it is hard to see a biker sometimes--I've had that startled look on my face once or twice. Luckily, no one's neck was in danger.

Kate

The other side concerns our society. Most homes aren't located in walking distance of retail or business establishments. The day we took the keys from my 85 year old father was the beginning of the end. He felt useless and trapped. His personality changed and he became a complaining, demanding, ornery old man. It was not pretty, but we had no choice.

I once waited on a 95 year old with thick Coke-bottle lenses. He couldn't see where to sign documents or where to enter or leave the building. He complained bitterly and loudly that his doctor and son had his driver's license taken away. That was a necessary decision.

Oh, Pete. I hear you, but the other day I was walking my dog, and decided to not go behind a car that was in the driveway. As we stood there, he did suddenly back out without having looked. He was really startled when he saw me, but he had obviously been distracted, and backed down the driveway across the sidewalk without looking. He is about 55 and seemingly healthy, but just distracted.

It is such a shame that our society does not have decent paths for people to ride bikes or little motorized vehicles. Surely the day for delivering groceries is near if not present in some locations, but for those who want to shop and make their selections, they need simple ways to get there.

Sammy

Glad you were not hurt Pete.....:)
I think yearly driving tests should be required by anyone after 70..or maybe 75.
Here in Canada, insurance companies raise the insurance premiums for the elderly so high that they usually stop driving on their own accord. My neighbour, 83, just sold his car for this reason. I'm personally glad he is off the highway....... I feel safer now..:)

Either way, the family does not have to be the heavy....

In line with dangerous driving by the elderly are the cell phone users. Nearly got hit twice lately ...and both times they were not paying attention to the road...because they were on their cell phone.
I think it should be law that in order to talk on a cell, one must get out of traffic....unless it is an emergency. If the conversation is that important, they should be willing to pull off the road...IMHO.

Pete, it would be interesting if you and I traded places for a day. I could see the elderly people drive, and you could watch the high school 10th graders zip around and out of the school parking lot.

Sammy