Too old to drive?

Wow - I remember this case.

George Russell Weller, 89 and in poor health, could spend the rest of his life in prison for the 2003 crash, which set off a national debate over whether elderly people should be barred from driving or required to pass additional tests when renewing their licenses.....

..... His attorneys argued that he mistakenly stepped on the gas pedal instead of the bbrake and panicked when the vehicle raced into the open-air market. But prosecutors said he was careless to the point of criminal negligence and lacked remorse.....

..... Weller was 86 when his 1992 Buick Le Sabre traveled about 300 yards, reaching 60 mph or more as it crashed into food stalls. It finally came to a stop after hitting a ditch, with one victim's body tangled underneath and another's draped across the hood. The victims ranged in age from 7 to 78.

In a way, I feel sorry if this man has to spend the rest of his life in prison and, in all probability, die in prison. One should spend the last days one's life surrounded by love, happiness and contentment. Some elderly folk really treasure their independance and refuse to live on others' assitance.

But on the other hand, I do empathise with the victims. If you're too old to use complicated machinery - and a car is pretty complicated - then perhaps authorities should have mandatory tests? To check for hand/eye co-ordination, to test for motor neural skills, to test for eyesight and reflexes. I would imagine all these things are crucial to driving. For any sort of vehicle.


Perhaps they could start at 70? I don't think that's too old.....