Not Again! Elderly Driver Loses Control at Farmer's Market

[southerngale]

FLAGLER BEACH, Fla. - A 79-year-old man apparently lost control of his car and plowed into a northern Florida farmer's market Friday, sending six people to hospitals, law officers said.

The driver blamed the accident on a stuck gas pedal, Fire Chief Jon Macdonald said.

The man was getting ready to leave the weekly market's parking lot when his car rammed three or four other vehicles, then hit the six people near a peaches and strawberry stand, Macdonald said.

Most seriously hurt was a 7-year-old girl whose leg was run over by the car. None of the six had life-threatening injuries, he said. The driver was unhurt and was released.

Police officer Frank Parrish said the driver, identified as Louis Nirenstein, was allowed to park inside the market because he uses a wheelchair.

Macdonald helped him out of the car after the crash, about 75 miles south of Jacksonville.

"He was coherent and talking to me. ... He was very upset that somebody got hurt," he said.

Last week, an elderly driver plowed into a farmers market outside Los Angeles, killing 10 and injuring 69.

[hunter84]

Thankfully nobody was killed this time.
I might take some heat here but I really think drivers should(when they reach a certain age) be required to take an exam to test reflex and driving skills. all our motor skills slow down as we get older and it might get someone off the road that shouldn't be there. I know this could have happened to anyone as any accident but some can be avoided.

[Guest]

Hunter, I think you're exactly right. Some sort of testing should be given after a certain age. It's a fact that as we age, our senses are, how shall I say this, not as keen as they once were. Testing will help ensure the safety of everyone on the road.

[rainstorm]

as i said before, get them off the road. isnt this the same excuse the last guy used?

[Lindaloo]

Statistics show that of all the age groups 16-24 year olds are the drivers who are involved in the most fatal wrecks. Other wrecks are caused by drivers talking on cell phones, adjusting their radios or eating. Hell, I even passed a woman that was reading a book and was not looking up!!! I have seen people in their 90's drive better than young people and have seen some that do not need to be behind the wheel in both age groups.

There are "idiots" at the wheel of every age on all of our roads, so let's not go after the old people just because they have been around alot longer.

Just remember... there is no age limit on lunacy behind the wheel.

This only made the news because of what happened in California.

[JCT777]

This is such a shame.

Hunter - I agree with you completely.

[Guest]

Lindaloo - I completely agree that there are idiots representing all age groups on the road. The differences on laws governing young and old drivers is this: there are laws preventing young people from driving during night hours and they must be accompanied by an adult and so on. But there are no restrictions right now on elderly drivers. There should be some sort of check and balance system. Just my opinion. Also, think of it like this. Aren't we discriminating against young people by having a check and balance system in place (i.e. laws about when they can drive, who can be in the car, etc) for them, but none for elderly drivers? Where's the equality here?

[Lake Effect1]

Elders have to face the facts of life, that as we get older eyesight, reflexes,everything slowes down or fades. I think giving up your license would be a hard thing to do, so it probably should be mandatory to re-take a test at some set age. what age tho??

[Lindaloo]

Good point mrs. chad... and I do not agree with the practice they have chosen to follow regarding "new aged drivers"

"I say we issue a thorough road test at the time of license issue and then follow up with each renewal every four years or however many years apply to the individual state. This would get marginal drivers off the road and no one could claim discrimination of any age group. I'm sure with our advanced technology, drivers would not even have to go outside of the building to hurl a 2-ton hunk of steel down the interstate in heavy traffic. Computer-simulations could provide the testing needed to check reflexes and driving proficiency.

[blizzard]

I was at our local Wal*Mart recently and an elderly couple got into their car and were getting ready to leave. The man first put the car into drive and proceeded to run into a light pole in front of him. He then put the car in reverse and floored it. There were people walking across the entrance at the time and by the grace of God, no-one was hit. He did, however come to a complete stop, rear wheels about three feet off of the ground when he hit the curb right outside of the store and the rear of his car flew into the air and hit the side of the building, where it came to a rest. This is one example of where the man should never have been behind the wheel. He didn't even seem to know what had happened. I was extremely happy that we were walking from the store on the opposite side of him

[Guest]

Lindaloo - I do agree, that does seem to be the most fair way

[hunter84]

I agree with you Lindaloo there are idiots on the road at every age. But I was refering to diminished skills as we age. Mschad has a good point about checks and balances and laws pertaining to new young drivers. We should have some way to test as we get older.

[Lindaloo]

I agree with you Lindaloo there are idiots on the road at every age. But I was refering to diminished skills as we age. Mschad has a good point about checks and balances and laws pertaining to new young drivers. We should have some way to test as we get older.

I addressed that issue in my last post hunter.

[breeze]

Yes...our driving skills, mentality, reflexes, yadda-yadda...
everything decreases with the aging process. I have always
said, and, continue to say, that, I would fully support retesting
of driving capabilities, anywhere from 60 years old, on...

[j]

Statistics show that of all the age groups 16-24 year olds are the drivers who are involved in the most fatal wrecks. Other wrecks are caused by drivers talking on cell phones, adjusting their radios or eating. Hell, I even passed a woman that was reading a book and was not looking up!!! I have seen people in their 90's drive better than young people and have seen some that do not need to be behind the wheel in both age groups.

There are "idiots" at the wheel of every age on all of our roads, so let's not go after the old people just because they have been around alot longer.

Just remember... there is no age limit on lunacy behind the wheel.

This only made the news because of what happened in California.

I've noted this before too Linda....(the teenagers are causing the largest % of wrecks), yet there doesn't seem to be a rush by the media to cover this.

[Miss Mary]

Linda and j,

Here's an example of what you're both referring to: unlicensed teen drivers leaves party at 3 a.m., slams into 4 parked cars on the way out and hits 2 bystanders. And no license! What a story.......and I ask, where are the parents? I don't allow my teen to first 1. have a party, that goes until 3 a.m. and 2. stay out until 3 a.m. She has a curfew.

Here's the article:
http://www.wcpo.com/news/2003/local/07/27/teenax.html

This teen will have to wait a long time before getting her license I imagine.