Welcome to the MacNN Forums.

macroy · Feb 28, 2007, 01:55 PM

Crash closes Beltway for hours - baltimoresun.com

Dakar² · Feb 28, 2007, 01:59 PM

I've been of the mind that once you pass a certain age, driving tests need to start again. I'm sure someone will come in here and say they should never stop, but whatever.

Peder Rice · Feb 28, 2007, 02:01 PM

Every five years!

Dakar² · Feb 28, 2007, 02:04 PM

Originally Posted by Peder Rice

Every five years!

Yeah, no thanks.

GSixZero · Feb 28, 2007, 02:18 PM

If we had a thread for every time anyone caused a car accident with their idiotic driving, we wouldn't talk about much else. There are plenty of awful drivers at every age.

Dakar² · Feb 28, 2007, 02:20 PM

Some will die in hot pursuit
In fiery auto crashes
Some will die in hot pursuit
While sifting through my ashes

olePigeon · Feb 28, 2007, 02:35 PM

This article could be describing 50% of the drivers in California.

Chuckit · Feb 28, 2007, 02:39 PM

A young guy did this right in front of me earlier this week. Fortunately I don't tailgate.

OldManMac · Feb 28, 2007, 02:49 PM

Originally Posted by Dakar²

I've been of the mind that once you pass a certain age, driving tests need to start again. I'm sure someone will come in here and say they should never stop, but whatever.

Agree. The tough part is determining when to start, and how often people need to be retested. It would also be tough to get the AARP on board. IIRC they strongly oppose that.

Dakar² · Feb 28, 2007, 02:57 PM

Its tough. Once you start collecting social security seems like a decent marker. Don't know about retesting though.

Don't blame the AARP either. They've got to figure a decent amount of seniors would lose their licenses under the scenario.

mdc · Feb 28, 2007, 04:04 PM

There are terrible drivers of all ages, but I tend to find that when people get older their senses just slow down. Driving becomes dangerous for, not only them but for, everyone.
My grandparents for example. They drive and, unless absolutely required, I refuse to go with them.
It's not that they're bad drivers. They are good drivers, but the moment they're about to get into an accident or a situation that required quick thoughts and reactions, they fail. Miserably.

That's why I believe old people should be tested once a year or once every two years. They can go in on a Saturday or something and have a test done and if they pass, good for them.

And there are other people on the road, regardless of age, who shouldn't have ever sat behind the wheel of a car in the first place. They need their license taken away forever.

mitchell_pgh · Feb 28, 2007, 04:19 PM

Originally Posted by KarlG

Agree. The tough part is determining when to start, and how often people need to be retested. It would also be tough to get the AARP on board. IIRC they strongly oppose that.

If they said that it was the "Highway Safety Screening" where they performed a basic vision, hearing and mobility screening, I would be all for it.

You shouldn't have to retake the entire test from scratch just because your getting old.

macroy · Feb 28, 2007, 04:48 PM

Originally Posted by mitchell_pgh

You shouldn't have to retake the entire test from scratch just because your getting old.

No. EVERYONE should have to. Okay, that maybe a bit harsh... but the "privilege" of being able to operate a car should be that - a privilege. The problem is that its treated more as a right (no matter how many times folks spit that cliche out). There's an issue when getting a drivers license is easier than getting a marriage license.

Having said all that... there is also a psychological piece to it as well... I think some folks just act in a certain way behind the wheel - which has less to do with driving ability, and more to do with attitude. And you're not going to change that with more driver's ed.

crabsandbeer · Feb 28, 2007, 05:15 PM

This link has pictures. Everyone was very lucky!

Beltway Reopens After 3-Vehicle Collision - News

PB2K · Feb 28, 2007, 05:20 PM

I've seen 30 year olds backup on the crowded highway because they missed an exit

it's good grenadeguns are not compulsary in cars, i certainly would have shot myself thru traffic

Rumor · Feb 28, 2007, 06:54 PM

Originally Posted by Dakar²

Some will die in hot pursuit
In fiery auto crashes
Some will die in hot pursuit
While sifting through my ashes

Some will fall in love with life
And drink it from a fountain
That is pouring like an avalanche
Coming down the mountain

Gossamer · Feb 28, 2007, 08:31 PM

I don't mind the sun sometimes the images it shows
I can taste you on my lips and smell you in my clothes
Cinnamon and surgery and softly spoken lies
You never know just how you look through other people's eyes

mac128k-1984 · Feb 28, 2007, 08:35 PM

Originally Posted by olePigeon

This article could be describing 50% of the drivers in California.

99% of boston drivers

JoshuaZ · Feb 28, 2007, 08:56 PM

With the population of the US getting so old, a change in driving regulations is needed. Every year should be a requirement, if nothing else a basic vision test is needed. Cars are a way of indepence. Many people will not willingly stop driving unless you make them. Now getting this passed might be difficult, as old people have a lot of time and money to spend fighting this kind of thing. Saftey should be our number one concern when it comes to our roads and highways.

Dakar² · Feb 28, 2007, 11:48 PM

Originally Posted by Rumor

Some will fall in love with life
And drink it from a fountain
That is pouring like an avalanche
Coming down the mountain

Originally Posted by Gossamer

I don't mind the sun sometimes the images it shows
I can taste you on my lips and smell you in my clothes
Cinnamon and surgery and softly spoken lies
You never know just how you look through other people's eyes

This may well be the most heart warming moment in MacNN History.

brassplayersrock² · Mar 1, 2007, 12:06 AM

Originally Posted by mac128k-1984

99% of boston drivers

so true, the number of times im walking in a crosswalk with people stopped and then one idiot decides to pull around and has to go on his brakes because he doesnt think "oh yeah, crosswalk, people not using the gas. maybe people are walking in it?" gah. the number of bumpers i've kicked, i think around 10. number of arguments i get in with drivers because i kick their bumpers. 1, and this guy was on his cell phone while driving. which is what most people who try to speed through are doing anyways

-a

dcmacdaddy · 05:28 AM

Originally Posted by Dakar²

Some will die in hot pursuit
In fiery auto crashes
Some will die in hot pursuit
While sifting through my ashes

Originally Posted by Rumor

Some will fall in love with life
And drink it from a fountain
That is pouring like an avalanche
Coming down the mountain

Originally Posted by Gossamer

I don't mind the sun sometimes the images it shows
I can taste you on my lips and smell you in my clothes
Cinnamon and sugary and softly spoken lies
You never know just how you look through other people's eyes

What the hell song is that? Beck right? It's 4:00AM in the morning and I've got insomnia and now you guys have got a song stuck in my head. So, what's it called? I think I'm gonna need to buy it on iTunes just to hear it all-the-way-through before trying to go back to sleep.

dcmacdaddy · Mar 1, 2007, 05:23 AM

Originally Posted by dcmacdaddy

What the hell song is that? Beck right? It's 4:00AM in the morning and I've got insomnia and now you guys have got a song stuck in my head. So, what's it called? I think I'm gonna need to buy it on iTunes just to hear it all-the-way-through before trying to go back to sleep.

Ahh . . . the Butthole Surfers.

Found; Bought; Downloaded; Listened; Satisfied.

. . . I can go back to bed now.

Dakar² · Mar 1, 2007, 09:10 AM

Originally Posted by dcmacdaddy

Ahh . . . the Butthole Surfers.

Found; Bought; Downloaded; Listened; Satisfied.

. . . I can go back to bed now.

In your room
Where time stands still
Or moves at your will
Will you let the morning come soon