Why does this need to happen (car totaled)

"Arben72" (arben72)
02/23/2014 at 17:28 • Filed to: Mad, old, blind, wreck

My mom just called me while I was doing a oil change on the forester. She got hit by a old man in a crv. So after making a 30 min drive 15 mins I go and pick her up. Her neck and head hurts so she's going to the hospital. Now here's the problem. Accidents happen but this should have never happened. THE OLD MAN STATED HE HAS VISION PROBLEMS!!!! Why the hell was he on the road licensed and insured? It's such utter bs that doctors can get sued for taking away an elderly drivers license and the family won't take it away from them. Seriously I'm steaming with rage, there should be no reason for my mother to be injured, no reason for a perfectly good Altima to be totaled (owned since new 186k miles ago). Sorry for the bad pic the yard was locked and closed.

DISCUSSION (21)

Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge) > Arben72
02/23/2014 at 17:31

My own family had this issue with my Grandfather. My family made the decision to call him in when two things happened. They should have licenses revoked.

1) He asked my Grandmother to look for cars coming at junctions

2) He hit a car and didn't realise.

I very much hope your mum recovers quickly and that it isn't too serious, and I'm sorry you've lost a car that has been with the family so long. Very sad way for it to end.

Brian Silvestro > Arben72
02/23/2014 at 17:34

I hate when stuff like this happens and could've been prevented.

Hope your mom's okay.

jkm7680 > Arben72
02/23/2014 at 17:37

That guy obviously a danger to the public. The elderly should be checked for vision every month of something.

Arben72 > Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge)
02/23/2014 at 17:38

I know it's hard for families to revoke their elders licenses but it's a necessity. It doesn't take much to kill someone in a car and when you can't see it becomes a whole lot easier. It was a good car but I could care less about it at this point. Going to take my mother home and my dad will be taking her to a doctor. I don't know how bad she is injured yet.

desertdog5051 > Arben72
02/23/2014 at 17:41

Agree. When you reach a point that vision and dexterity are impeded, it is time to hang it up. I was forced to lay my motorcycle down a couple months ago because an oncoming car turned left in front of me. No serious damage just some scrapes. But I made eye contact (I thought) with the driver. And the sucky thing is, they kept right on going.

Arben72 > Brian Silvestro
02/23/2014 at 17:41

The thing is how easily it could have been prevented. Why aren't optometrist working with the dmv? It would be that simple to fix accidents like these from ever happening.

Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge) > Arben72
02/23/2014 at 17:41

Absolutely. I think families are the most important people in it all really, they need to be able to make the elders see sense, and if not, call them in. As we know, the elders can be excessively stubborn but it needs to be dealt with because people's safety is at stake. Best of luck with the trip to the doctors, I really do wish you and the family well.

PRBot II > Arben72
02/23/2014 at 17:45

Definitely contact an accident attorney if you haven't already. I've been in a similar situation twice before and got thousands about a year after each accident. 10/10, would contact attorney again.

Supreme Kiwi Zorro > Arben72
02/23/2014 at 17:59

Kinja'd!!!

I hope these GIFs will cheer you up. Hang in there, it'll get better. :)

iDriveCode3 > Arben72
02/23/2014 at 18:59

That's very unfortunate; hopefully your mom isn't seriously injured.

I've seized a lot of drivers licenses and sent many others for priority re-evaluation at the DMV. I've even offered to make it easy for my parents and in-laws regarding my and my wife's grandparents, as they are fast approaching that time in their life where driving is dangerous. All they need to do is say the word, I'll fill out a form and away goes the license.

Arben72 > iDriveCode3
02/23/2014 at 19:00

Glad to hear you do that, I've only talked to one doctor on the subject and he said they could be sued for doing it so most don't take the risk.

iDriveCode3 > Arben72
02/23/2014 at 19:03

HAH! That's the advantage I have of being a cop, and not a doctor.

Arben72 > PRBot II
02/23/2014 at 19:03

I'll be contacting my business attorneys for a recommendation. We're not sue happy but this should have never happened.

thebigbossyboss > iDriveCode3
02/24/2014 at 06:57

You're a real live cop?

iDriveCode3 > thebigbossyboss
02/24/2014 at 07:20

That I am. Badge carrying, gun toting.

thebigbossyboss > iDriveCode3
02/24/2014 at 07:27

Wow. I never thought a cop would come to Oppo, you know, without all us hoons being arrested.

iDriveCode3 > thebigbossyboss
02/24/2014 at 08:01

We're real people, too. And I'm not the only enthusiast amongst my co-workers, either.

davedave1111 > Arben72
02/24/2014 at 17:27

It's really sad that this happens, but there's a good reason. When you take away an old person's car keys, you also take away a good deal of their independence. Often that's the beginning of the end, so it's a real shame there's no middle ground.

Arben72 > davedave1111
02/24/2014 at 17:50

I understand that and what is terrible is the public transportation is terrible in the states. Atcually nonexistent in my town. But when it gets to the point you can't see cars anymore, might as well street signs or children, you pose to much of a safety risk to have a license.

davedave1111 > Arben72
02/24/2014 at 18:36

I completely agree, but the fact that we can't come up with some easy answer is why people keep driving beyond the age they should.

I hadn't thought of it before, but really this fits in with one of my other hobby-horses: we ought to have a dedicated network of light-vehicle lanes for bikes, scooters, mopeds, and other light commuter vehicles. We could put the old people in little carlets that weighed say 200lbs and had a top speed of 15-20mph, and they could keep their mobility much longer.

Arben72 > davedave1111
02/24/2014 at 22:56

I remember seeing something like that on retirement homes in Florida. They use golf carts, they're not fast, they can still get out. They're limited on range which is the only downside but if we had a nice train system that wouldn't be a problem. I don't know how I'll give up driving and I can't imagine how tough it is for people, but it sadly has to happen. I don't think it will be a issue in the next 20 years though. Corrective surgery will be vastly improved and autonomous driving will most likely happen.