I am now scared of senior citizen drivers!

Joseph T. Cool

Administrator

:eeek:

From cnn.com
ST. PETERSBURG, Florida (AP) -- A 93-year-old driver apparently suffering from dementia fatally struck a pedestrian and drove for three miles with the man's body through his windshield, police said.

Ralph Parker was stopped after he drove through a tollbooth on the Sunshine Skyway, Traffic Homicide Investigator Michael Jockers said. The toll taker called police, he said.

Parker was not likely to face charges because he did not appear to know what happened or where he was, said Bruce Bartlett, chief assistant in the Pinellas-Pasco County State Attorney's Office.

"He may have somewhere in his mind have realized it was a crash, but immediately forgot about it," Jockers said.

The victim's leg was severed in the Wednesday night crash, police said. The man, whose name was not released, was 52.

Parker had renewed his license in 2003.

"That was the one thing he had, to get in his car and just drive for the sheer enjoyment of driving," Jockers said. Parker lived alone after his wife died in 1998, authorities said.
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I can only think of my grandfather who had to take the driving test at the DMV 4 times before they finally gave him a license.

The next time I see an old person driving on the highway I am avoiding them at all costs.

Randy Orton

WC's Resident Alchoholic

I just read that about an hour or so ago. That is why people should be retested for their licenses at a certain age.

AudioSavior

As the story says, he was, and they are. I believe here in Canada it is every 2 years. If you pass they have to give you your liciences! I am guessing it is the same there. Maybe 3 years but I don't know.

Randy Orton

WC's Resident Alchoholic

I read a parahphrased version of it before so I didn't see that part.

Joseph T. Cool

Administrator

I am hoping that for the DMV's sake his dementia set in after he was tested in 2003.

Otherwise we have someone has some explaining to do on how he passed.

AudioSavior

Well it is not like they have his medical records. He takes the test and passes. They are not doctors. I mean I am not sure what they would have to explain other than he took the test and passed?

Miakal

Old people should just hurry up and die.

Joseph T. Cool

Administrator

I'm not saying the DMV is accountable.

Nor have I dealt with any people that experience dementia.

Maybe I phrased it wrong but...

I'm just saying I find it hard to believe that if he had the illness when he took the test to renew his license that anyone would pass him. Wouldn't it be difficult to drive if you're not aware of your own surroundings and don't know when to stop for pedetrians as to not ram your car into them?

Like I said though, he probably was fine when he renewed his license in 2003 and just progressed to worse later on.

AudioSavior

From what I understand, it usually occurs when something unexpected happens like a man being in front of his car. They go into panic mode and the dementia kicks in. I read about 1 or 2 of these cases every year on CNN or where ever.

Joseph T. Cool

Administrator

Ah that makes sense then. Thanks Ida.

You've obviously read more on this than me. ;-)