Woman, 90, disrupts bingo at McDonald's
By Grammasherri
@sherrir101 (3670)
Malinta, Ohio
April 11, 2008 2:27pm CST
A 90 year old woman driving accidntly backs into a MCDonalds. My discussion is: when should older people quit driving. How old is too old to drive? Taking their liscense away seems too harsh, but how to convince them they aren't driving too well... What is your opinion on this subject?
Woman, 90, disrupts bingo at McDonald's
Thu Apr 10, 9:54 PM ET
A 90-year-old woman accidentally backed into a McDonald's restaurant, disrupting a bingo game and sending a couple to the hospital with minor injuries.
Lois Weber told police one of her tennis shoes became stuck under the gas pedal on her 2004 Cadillac, causing her to lose control and back into the restaurant Wednesday. She said she recently changed shoe brands and was not used to the wider fit.
No tickets were issued. Weber, who has a valid driver's license, was able to drive her car home.
Police said the car crashed into a wall and window of the restaurant in the Broad Ripple neighborhood on the north side of the city. The car pushed John Atkinson, 80, and his wife Beverly, 75, both of Indianapolis, who were playing bingo.
The couple suffered cuts on their hands from broken glass.
3 people like this
15 responses
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
12 Apr 08
oh this it to funny.
and not funny
As long as she doesnt get lost or not drive it to building should keep her liceince when mu mom got where she turned the wrong way or in front of traffic we knew something was wrong and founf she had had a storke when she did this. now she is in an assistant living place and cant drive any more.
she was 87 when tis happend . Teh family need to be aware of what the older person is doing and when doing wrong and not knowing it need licience pulled!
2 people like this
@sherrir101 (3670)
• Malinta, Ohio
12 Apr 08
I hope that my family is smart enough to take my driving priviledges away from me when it is evident that I cannot do it well.
1 person likes this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
13 Apr 08
well isn't there laws? there are here, most 90 year olds would not pass the mandatory driving test, and they must renew their license every year and take the test.
I personally don't think people after 75 just drive unless they are as fit as a fiddle,
2 people like this
@sherrir101 (3670)
• Malinta, Ohio
14 Apr 08
Every country is different. I know that I am going to ask to take the test again at age 65.
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (94001)
• United States
13 Apr 08
I think everyone 65 and older should have to pass a driving test every two years after hitting 65. I know that might tick someone off, but I think about the story another mylotter posted not too long ago. It was the one about the 80 something woman who decided her reflexes just weren't what they use to be, so she voluntarily gave up her driver's license. One month later she was walking in a crosswalk when she was struck and killed by a 75 year old man. Is that irony? I find it sad, and if a mandatory test every couple of years could help keep unsafe drivers from the streets, then I'm for it. I mean people with epilepsy cannot drive, no one knows when a seizure could occur. Just like no one knows what can happen when reflexes slow and instincts are lost. We have had to watch my 72 year old grandfather like a hawk so he won't drive. Two years ago I was riding in his truck when he fell asleep at the wheel. I thought he was changing lanes until I noticed we were going for the guard rail. I woke him up just in time.
2 people like this
@steffyhoney (706)
• United States
12 Apr 08
I dont think age really has anything to do with it. I mean an accident is an accident. I am 23 and I almost backed into a mcdonalds before, however instead I turned the wheel and my car just went into about 3 complete circles really fast. Somehow the gas pedal was stuck. Luckily it was about 1 in the morning, otherwise I would have hit at least a few cars. I dont feel her license or anything should be taken away because of it. No one is perfect. Most the people I know my age cant drive period! lol. I mean sometimes I wonder how young people even get a license. My grandma is 74, and if someone took away her license she would be completely lost. I would hate to do that to someone just over a small accident that no one even knows if its because shes old or not. Maybe she had a stuck gas pedal etc. I do feel she might have to have insurance pay for damages or something. I mean if I hit the mcdonalds I would have probably gotten in trouble for it somehow.
2 people like this
@sherrir101 (3670)
• Malinta, Ohio
12 Apr 08
I do not think taking away their license is the key problem. I think there should be more testing as one gets older.
1 person likes this
@idaantipolo (472)
• Philippines
12 Apr 08
Not only old people should be discouraged to drive, also the ones who have problems with their vision. They not only put themselves to danger but other people as well.
@sherrir101 (3670)
• Malinta, Ohio
12 Apr 08
That is why we have to take the DMV's vision tests when we renew our driver's license.
1 person likes this
@cinderella2007 (2662)
•
12 Apr 08
Im not sure how I feel about this, I mean yeah taking away their license is harsh. Its not as if she meant to do it. It could have been due to her shoes, or to her age but you cant really pin it to anything (unless she regularly crashes into things). It could have been the first time she has crashed her car in years.
I mean if she was my Grandma I would be proud that she has the confidence to drive at 90, as some elderly people stop driving due to their age.
First time I dont have an opinion on something!! Im abit lost for words on how I feel about this discussion as I dont think there should be an age limit as to when they should stop driving!
2 people like this
@sherrir101 (3670)
• Malinta, Ohio
12 Apr 08
My grandmother was a very good driver. She drove well into her 80's.
1 person likes this
@Polly1 (12645)
• United States
11 Apr 08
I don't think they should automatically have their license taken away. The states should have everyone who reaches a certain age take a test. They all should have an eye test, a written test and radomly have to take a driving test. Or maybe there is some kind of test they can take to measure reaction time. Anyone can have an accident, thats why its called an accident. There are some older people who have no business out driving. That can also be said for some younger people too. Maybe the people at the DMV can order folks for more testing, also it should be manditory when someone older like that has an accident, that they have to take a drivers test to keep their license. There are several options to consider.
2 people like this
@p3halliwel2005 (3156)
• Philippines
12 Apr 08
It's good no one was badly hurt..It was just an accident so I don't think there is anything wrong with a 90 year old to drive a car. If she says she can still drive then let her live her last days on earth driving.
2 people like this
@sherrir101 (3670)
• Malinta, Ohio
12 Apr 08
If they are a good drivers, then let them drive
1 person likes this
@cher913 (25782)
• Canada
11 Apr 08
i know most elderly people will hate me for this, but i think there should be a cut off age when older people can no longer drive. their reaction time etc is much slower than someone that is younger. also here in ontario (canada) all they have to do after the age of 80 is a written test every other year - NO DRIVING TEST...how scary is that???
2 people like this
@ayumitakashi (4462)
• United States
11 Apr 08
I don't know what to say about this. When I read that she accidently backs into a McDonald's because I'm like how can you do that accidently? It sounds funny to me but it's not. But I guess you would have to give them more tests or something to see if they still know how to drive or if they have forgotten some parts. But there are a lot of elder people who know how to drive really well.
2 people like this
@my52cents (569)
• United States
11 Apr 08
I think drivers over some certain age (maybe 65) should have their licenses renewed for a shorter period of time so they can take the eye test more often. Senior driving classes should be encouraged with the older drivers (an advantage to them anyway in that they can receive a discount on their insurance with the class).
The accident you quote above likely happens quite often - and with younger drivers. In fact, I'm more worried in general about younger drivers (under 21 and especially under 18) than I am about older drivers.
2 people like this
@tessah (6617)
• United States
11 Apr 08
i dont think there should be a certain age when people shouldnt be driving anymore. you can have a 95 year old that still drives perfectly safe, and a 70 year old that cant see past their own bumper anymore pile driving into pedestrians. i DO think that vision testing should be required to renew a drivers lisence, and if they cannot pass it because they cant see properly even with corrective lenses, or problems such as nightvision.. then loss of the lisence should happen, but that should go for everyone, not just senior citizens.
2 people like this
@kezabelle (2974)
•
11 Apr 08
Well anyone can have an accident so I guess the onus is on them to prove it happened because of her old age.
I think there should be more tests for elderly drivers to prove they are still well enough to be driving but making sure if their license is taken away that they are given help towards finding the best alternative way of travelling.
2 people like this
@drknlvly6781 (6246)
• United States
11 Apr 08
I don't think there is an age to take licenses away, because everyone deteriorates at a different rate. I am, however, in favor in instating a drivers test after a certain age, say about 75. After you hit this age, you must take the maneuverability test every two years, to make sure that your motor skills are up to par enough to continue driving. If you fail the test, no more license. I believe that this will make it fair.
1 person likes this
