Older drivers are better drivers

[Karrmann]

or giving tickets to anyone driving slower than every other car on the road.

[danno]

Originally Posted by Karrmann

or giving tickets to anyone driving slower than every other car on the road.

nobody would buy the prius....

[Quiggs]

In Pennsylvania, and I think most of the US, you have to have a new photo ID for your license done every 4 years. People should have to retake the test to get their new license. It'd take what, an hour? Every 4 years. Include the eye exam, because vision is hugely important.
Raising the driving age won't really help. It'll just let there be less people driving. Raising standards would. Any monkey with a banana could pass a driving test. There's something seriously wrong with driver training when I see people back into other cars in a parking lot. You expect them to maintain a straight line and speed? You trust them to be 3 feet away from you at 70mph?

I'll admit, I drive fast. Usually 70-80 on the local 4 lane highways; posted is 55. But that's the flow of traffic. Anything under that and I'd be blocking cars. But I keep safe distances (compared to most people, anyway), move right if someone comes up behind me (wish others would do the same), and move left so people can merge. I slow down if weather isn't good- fog, rain. If it's snowing, I usually stay off the main highways, because I don't need to get stuck in someone else's wreck.

My mom is a different story. She drives just as fast, if not faster, than I do. She follows too close, doesn't move over as quickly as she really should, and doesn't always signal. It's one of those optional things. She also backed her 96 Pontiac Sunfire into a concrete wall, and all she could tell me was "I didn't see it..." It's a friggin' wall!

Third case is my grandmother. 73, been driving for 35-40 years. She's got a boat of a car. A 2000 Buick LeSabre with a whopping 23,000 miles. She's the kind that will do 55-60. Never more. Stays in the right lane, even if it means people can't merge nicely. She'll stop at the end of the short on ramps. And then wonder why she can't pull on. Night driving is an adventure in itself. High beams are always on, even if the road is lit by street lights and buildings. Depth perception is non-existent. She literally couldn't see a 50 gallon trash can 10 feet away from her stopped car.

I'd like to see testing every 4-5 years, and certain grades of licenses. Require a special license to drive a car with 250-350 horsepower; require a different one for 350+; require a different one to drive at night. Truck drivers have to have certifications to carry certain goods, so why not set up the same system for the masses?

[CdocZ]

good idea quiggs.

[man 430gt]

I would say 50 50, because when oldies run into an accident they *have* in a sense less time to react.

[henk4]

Originally Posted by man 430gt

I would say 50 50, because when oldies run into an accident they *have* in a sense less time to react.

but being more careful, they might be less accident prone . The older you get the less you have to "proof"

[Matra et Alpine]

Also, experience allwos an older "EXPERIENCED" driver to react instivtively to do the right thing. Too many inexperienced folsk grab the brakes and make it a LOT worse. Sometimes it's THROTTLE to avoid the incident

EDIT: Clearly age also has a severe impact on typing. Sorry, it's a bad day
I'll try to make the rest better - promise :!!!!

[henk4]

try to type behind the wheel, you may instinctively hit the right key

[Matra et Alpine]

good idea, Pieter, I'll get the steering wheel out - might play a little CMR or Toca - and revisit this typing lark

[crisis]

Originally Posted by Matra et Alpine

Also, experience allwos an older "EXPERIENCED" driver to react instivtively to do the right thing. Too many inexperienced folsk grab the brakes and make it a LOT worse. Sometimes it's THROTTLE to avoid the incident

EDIT: Clearly age also has a severe impact on typing. Sorry, it's a bad day
I'll try to make the rest better - promise :!!!!

I dont think you or Henk (there feel better) are quite in the category I am thinking about as old. That was nice wasnt it. Really Im thinking about the people who have lost the ability to move and react quickly. And putting a number on it is not fair either as there are incredible examples of very senior people doing things I cant. (alright bad comparison). My uncle is in his 70's and plays tennis twice a week and Im not talking about just hitting the ball back.

[Matra et Alpine]

My driver and I are about the youngest guys competing in the post-historic rally events aroudn our way !!
Couple of brothers are in their seventies and rally a Mk1 Escort Twin Cam and don't hange about

[Karrmann]

Originally Posted by danno

nobody would buy the prius....

danno, 1 jim is enough for UCP.

[Mdbgtft]

Originally Posted by Karrmann

danno, 1 jim is enough for UCP.

Can i know why do you like the prius???

[crisis]

Originally Posted by Mdbgtft

Can i know why do you like the prius???

No. Please dont ask.

[Mdbgtft]

Originally Posted by crisis

No. Please dont ask.

I'll ask him to private message me instead