Only in South florida..... - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Hammertime · #1 02-15-2007, 07:34 AM

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/southflorida/sfl-0214dmvbuilding,0,3681926.story?coll=sfla-home-headlines

Botnst · #2 02-15-2007, 08:10 AM

Whoa.

MattBelliveau · #3 02-15-2007, 08:14 AM

If that's not irony, I have yet to find it!

Hatterasguy · #4 02-15-2007, 10:19 AM

Yeah thats FL for you.

BENZ-LGB · #5 02-15-2007, 10:32 AM

This is a nationwide problem.

In California there is a pilot program to screen oldr people whose driving skills have deteriorated to the point where they are a danger to themselves and to others.

Here is a thought:

Think about the thrill you experienced when you first got your driver's license.

The freedom, the independence, the ability to do anything, go anywhere.

Now flash forward to your "golden years" (a misnomer if there was ever one) when they finally yank your driver's license.

The loss of freedom, the loss of independence, the beginning of the end.

There is got to be a better way!

Zeus · #6 02-15-2007, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BENZ-LGB

The loss of freedom, the loss of independence, the beginning of the end.

There is got to be a better way!

Agreed! If you live into your 80s and beyond, you should have damn well earned the right to enjoy your final years with freedom, and above all, pride.

Mistress · #7 02-15-2007, 10:48 AM

I am really surprised- it wasn't a little old lady driving a 1976 Cadillac Brougham in Miami Beach...My dad had to surrender his license when he backed into a police cruiser. He used to be an aviator.

WVOtoGO · #8 02-15-2007, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeus

Agreed! If you live into your 80s and beyond, you should have damn well earned the right to enjoy your final years with freedom, and above all, pride.

Will you still say that after some 80+ year old, who can hardly see over the steering wheel, and who’s thought process and reflexes are 3 seconds behind the 1 second needed to avoid smashing into your loved ones, sending them to an early grave ?

Or will you say: “What the hell was that person doing behind the wheel in the first place?” ?

You may find that “Just enjoying their hard earned freedom with pride.”, may not be that comforting.

I agree with their earning the enjoyment of their final years with freedom and pride.
But not if that freedom is at the risk of injury or early death to those still earning it.

At some point, the human body and mind are no longer capable of safely operating a mass of steel capable of generating enough kinetic energy to uncontrollably destroy the lives of those around it.

I'm not sure what the "Better way" is. But I'm all for it.

BTW, Mistress - Your dad used to be an “Aviator”.

Mistress · #9 02-15-2007, 12:03 PM

BTW, Mistress - Your dad used to be an “Aviator”.

[/QUOTE]

Oppps sorry, will change right away sir!

BENZ-LGB · #10 02-15-2007, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mistress

I am really surprised- it wasn't a little old lady driving a 1976 Cadillac Brougham in Miami Beach...My dad had to surrender his license when he backed into a police cruiser. He used to be a pilot.

My son and I belong to a national group that restores and preserves WWII vintage aircraft (my kid loves working on the Spitfire and the Hellcat).

Some of the people that he works with at the hangar are WWII veterans, guys who used to be in bomber and fighter crews. Some of them are well into their 80's.

They can still fly planes and it is just an awesome sight to see them jump into the cockpit, taxi down the runway and take off.

I agree that not all people progress into old age while still holding on to their full mental and physical capacity. Many of them should not drive (or fly).

BUT, just yanking thier license away and not providing them with viable alternative means of transportation is cruel. Many of them do not have family nearby so once they lose their license they essentially become shut ins. This lack of freedom often leads to a quick decline in the person's mental and physical well being.

Our treatment of the elderly is a national shame. Older people are a treasure trove. I can't tell you how many valuable lessons my son (and I as well) have learned by merely hanging around these guys and listening to them.

I do not know what the solution is, but we have to do better than we are doing now.

"Old" age is the one thing that we will all, eventually, share in common.

Just my 0.02 centavos.

WVOtoGO · #11 02-15-2007, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BENZ-LGB

I agree that not all people progress into old age while still holding on to their full mental and physical capacity. Many of them should not drive (or fly).

BUT, just yanking thier license away and not providing them with viable alternative means of transportation is cruel. Many of them do not have family nearby so once they lose their license they essentially become shut ins. This lack of freedom often leads to a quick decline in the person's mental and physical well being.

Our treatment of the elderly is a national shame. Older people are a treasure trove. I can't tell you how many valuable lessons my son (and I as well) have learned by merely hanging around these guys and listening to them.

I do not know what the solution is, but we have to do better than we are doing now.

"Old" age is the one thing that we will all, eventually, share in common.

Just my 0.02 centavos.

That was worth more than 0.02.
I agree 100%

Some can do it just fine.
-and-
Some shouldn't be allowed near a car.

Not sure what the answer is. I do know that there will be no blanket solution that will be fair to all. That's the sad thing.

As for being a "treasure trove". Mistress knows where I stand on that thought.

You got that right.

WVOtoGO · #12 02-15-2007, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mistress

BTW, Mistress - Your dad used to be an “Aviator”.

Oppps sorry, will change right away sir![/QUOTE]

Sorry for the hijack.
Per a PM with Mistress:

Zeus · #13 02-15-2007, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WVOtoGO

Will you still say that after some 80+ year old, who can hardly see over the steering wheel, and who’s thought process and reflexes are 3 seconds behind the 1 second needed to avoid smashing into your loved ones, sending them to an early grave ?

Or will you say: “What the hell was that person doing behind the wheel in the first place?” ?

You may find that “Just enjoying their hard earned freedom with pride.”, may not be that comforting.

I agree with their earning the enjoyment of their final years with freedom and pride.
But not if that freedom is at the risk of injury or early death to those still earning it.

At some point, the human body and mind are no longer capable of safely operating a mass of steel capable of generating enough kinetic energy to uncontrollably destroy the lives of those around it.

I'm not sure what the "Better way" is. But I'm all for it.

I was agreeing with BENZ-LGB's statement of 'there has got to be a better way'.

It goes without saying that I don't want an impaired 80-yr old behind a wheel...

But we don't do much as a society to alter effective alternate transport for seniors, IMO.

Mistress · #14 02-15-2007, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeus

I was agreeing with BENZ-LGB's statement of 'there has got to be a better way'.

It goes without saying that I don't want an impaired 80-yr old behind a wheel...

But we don't do much as a society to alter effective alternate transport for seniors, IMO.

NPR had a great program on about seniors and the way we can accomodate them with regards to traveling. I don't know where the special aired but it featured an elderly lady in her 80's who took the bus everywhere because she could travel for a dollar from 9:00a.m. to 3:00p.m. She loved it, she went to the movies,(for a buck also) shopping to dr.s appointments all for $1.00. I personally love taking the bus when I have to.

BENZ-LGB · #15 02-15-2007, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mistress

I personally love taking the bus when I have to.

That's because you don't live in So. Cal.