Sea Dog wrote: I am seventy three and I can drive anything that you can drive, only better!
I certainly don't doubt you, but sometimes it is best to let others who observe us and be the judge. I know my reaction skills are no where as fast as they once were. Once had a aunt who said she was a good driver. Her car had all kinds of scrapes on it that were not there when she got it, but she could drive as good as anyone in her opinion.
I'm 77; and just renewed my drivers licence; in Florida they renewed it for 8 years, I'll be 85 when it comes up again.
again I say its the drunks and druggies that I'm afraid of.
I've had two accidents in 60 years of driveing; both caused by a drunk hitting me.
Badeye wrote: I do not know of an Allegro that has a hitch assembly rated at more than 10,000 lbs and I believe a trailer and 3 horses will probably go more than that or very close to it. If he was over length the trailer was over 25 ft in length as the length restrictions are 65'and I believe his MH is 40'. In any case, the three violations that he was cited for were enough to say that he was not paying attention to what he was doing. Regardless of age, he had made three bad mistakes driving a type of vehicle combination that does not allow many mistakes.
Badeye
Only 3 of the 2008 Allegro Bus had tag axles like that one did. They measure 42'6" and 43'6". Their trailer hitch is rated for 10,000 lbs. Two choices for chassis were Freightliner with a GVWR of 44,500 lbs (GCWR of 54,500 lbs.) and Spartan with a GVWR of 44,600 lbs (GCWR of 54,600 lbs.). Very nice looking tandem axle horse trailer with 3 horses. Guess the horses easly go over 1000 lbs each. The trailer who knows.
* This post was
edited 11/10/09 11:38am by wny_pat *
Age is not a definitive indication of driving ability, good or bad. At all positions of the age spectrum there are very capable drivers, and also truly incompetent drivers. That being said, advanced age can be a factor in some driver's abilities. Age affects each person differently.
While I still have a ways to go (I hope!) before I would be affected by an arbitrary age cut-off, I am not in favor of such a thing. I am, however, in favor of periodic re-testing of drivers. I think all ages should be subject to it, and re-testing should be more frequent as the driver ages.
I saw a show on TV several years ago. It was filmed in Britain, and a camera crew followed along as a sweet grandmother type was taking a required driving re-test. I don't recall if it was triggered by age, or because she had several driving infractions or minor accidents (I think the latter.) During the course of the test, you could see she was easily distracted, made some illegal turns, drove down a one way street the wrong way, hit the curb, had trouble parking, and so on. After the road test, but before she had received the results of the test, the film crew returned to her house and interviewed her about her impression of the test. She thought she had done very well. She was asked about several incidents during the test, and she either couldn't recall them, or thought they were insignificant. Then the film crew showed her the recording of the test. She was shocked, and didn't realize she had done so poorly. Even before she got the official test results, after seeing the video she placed her keys on the table and said that was it, she's done driving. It was a very sobering experience for her.
I admire a person that knows their limitations, knows what they can handle, and knows when it's time to give up certain activities like driving. Unfortunately, it's often difficult for people to make that determination for themselves, as they just don't see it. Many times it takes an independent non-biased observer to make a fair determination. I'm in favor of periodic re-testing, either triggered by age, driving record, or both. I'm also in favor of special testing of large vehicle drivers like RVers. NY has a special endorsement for heavy RVs, and I have it, but the road test was a meaningless joke. There should be more, as is done in some other states.
Reminds me of a joke that was e-mailed to me a while back:
Quote: I've sure gotten old! I've had two bypass surgeries, a hip replacement, new knees, fought prostate cancer and diabetes. I'm half blind, can't hear anything quieter than a jet engine, take 40 different medications that make me dizzy, winded, and subject to blackouts. Have bouts with dementia. Have poor circulation; hardly feel my hands and feet anymore. Can't remember if I'm 85 or 92. Have lost all my friends.
But, thank God, I still have my driver's license.
It's a fact of life that as a person ages, their body and mind declines. I only hope that as I decline, I can recognize it, and cope with it with grace rather than denial.
NB: These are just my general observations and opinions on the subject. This is not directed to any particular poster, and in no way is meant to imply that anyone should give up driving, or is in denial about their claimed driving abilities. If you are offended by this, or think that I'm referring to you, then you're either really vain, or are really insecure about your abilities and are taking it too personally. This is not personal, and is not in answer to any particular post.
2007 Holiday Rambler Endeavor 40PDQ 400 ISL Cummins/Allison
2002 Chevy Avalanche toad
Inside: Him, Her, and a pack of little furballs...
stevelv wrote: I've always been amazed by the number of states that have no vehicle inspections or just a smog test.
Back in the UK we had our annual MOT test - nowadays it costs the equivalent of about $80 and it's required every year.
They test lights, horm, wipers and washers, glass, bodywork and check for chassis rusting and corroded brake pipes, perished rubbers, serious engine and transmission leaks, state of exhaust and muffler (no leaks), shock absorbers, and then they run it up on a brake tester and check brake efficiency including the emergency brake.
It keeps a lot of dangerous vehicles off the road and at a guess, probably half the 10 year old or older vehicles on our US roads would never pass.
Steve,
To get your drivers license over there, know it is not a cake walk like here. Same with Germany from what I remember. Could you fill us in please. Both requirements, training, and cost. I think some here would be shocked!
I drive every day and have not had any kind of accident that was my fault in over 45 years.
I did have a young lady run into the back of my car when I was making a left turn. She was talking on her cell phone and not paying attention. Luckily no one was hurt and her insurance company paid to fix my car. You guys be careful out there. The life you save might be mine. LOL
What about the 60 year old Scully who put a large jet liner in the river at New York. They say a younger pilot would not have the experience to do so with the same outcome.
I am over the 65 year mark and am lisense to pilot a high performance complex aircraft. I would much rather be a passanger in anything with a mature experienced operator than a young over confident young one. Why are driving statistics much worse for the under 30 group than older ones.
Happy Jim wrote: What about the 60 year old Scully who put a large jet liner in the river at New York. They say a younger pilot would not have the experience to do so with the same outcome.
I am over the 65 year mark and am lisense to pilot a high performance complex aircraft. I would much rather be a passanger in anything with a mature experienced operator than a young over confident young one. Why are driving statistics much worse for the under 30 group than older ones.
I'm with you Happy Jim. When it comes to flying, give me one of those old silver haired pilots any time instead of one of those youngsters.
I'm just 4 months away from 70, and still pass a flight physical(for commercial flying). My reaction time is probably still close to same it's ever been (nobody checks for reaction time anymore). The reason that experience counts for a lot is because it gains you ssoooo much comfort. There's nothing about a jet aircraft cockpit that intimidates me, nor is there any instrument approach procedure that bothers me. I can ID killer weather right away, and don't hesitate to treat it correctly. All this allows me to anticipate problem areas, BEFORE the problem occurs. The ability to anticipate emergencies PROPERLY is what people misconstrue as "quick reflexes", or "quick reaction time".
To be honest, I just can NOT imagine ME confusing a go pedal with a stop pedal,....even at age 85 (if I get there). I'll be the first to recognize when my mind starts to fail,...don't you think? NOW, whether or not I tell someone is a different story. Let's face it, THIS gets into the region of RESPONSIBILITY.
IMO the driver of the subject RV was either always a bad driver, OR he lost his mind.
Willie & Betty Sue
Miko & Sparky
2003 41 ft Dutch Star Diesel Pusher/Spartan
Floorplan 4010
Blazer toad & Ranger bassboat
wny_pat wrote: To get your drivers license over there, know it is not a cake walk like here. Same with Germany from what I remember. Could you fill us in please. Both requirements, training, and cost. I think some here would be shocked!
You are correct, the driving test and the training is both far tougher and far more expensive than here. There is a written test and a formal drive test of approx 30 minutes which is almost always done in a stick shift and after typically 20 hours of in car tuition by a registered driving instructor at $80 an hour.
Drive test includes all the normal stuff such as mirror, signals, lane positioning, observation, following road signs etc as well as emergency stop, 3 point turn, reversing around a corner and parallel parking.
For the following year you are subject to a one strike and you are out clause - a major driving infraction and you lose your license and have to retake it.
The biggest limiting factor on car ownership by teens is the cost of insurance - anything larger than a 1 liter engine and they will be expected to pay > $3000 a year - this means that they are typically 25 or older before they get into higher powered cars.
Drink driving is a MANDATORY 12 month ban - a second offence is a 3 year ban and a third is a 10 year ban and 12 months in jail. Same goes for driving under the influence of drugs.
They have a point system on the license - 3 points for a speeding ticket, 7 points for a serious driving infraction - 12 points and you lose the license - from 30 days to a year. You also get points for having a worn out tire.
Also remember that the UK and the rest of Europe are covered with speed cameras, traffic light cameras and average speed cameras, all of which issue instant fines (and points!) by mail.
All licenses last until you are 70 and then you get 2 year renewals (I think it's 2 years) where you have to make health statements. If you have a serious at fault accident after 70 then you may be required to be retested.
We have it very easy over here compared to Europe but then again we have a lot of things easier in every aspect of our day to day lives and for that I am always extremely grateful. And remember that a lot of that is thanks to the Veterans - I salute you.
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