Elderly Man Drives Thru Airport Security Onto Runway

[Kor37 9]

Elderly man drives through airport security and onto runway

AP

Posted: 2008-04-26 09:30:53

MIAMI (AP) - Authorities are questioning a 73-year-old driver who sped through a security gate at Miami International Airport and ended up on one of the main runways.

 

The man has not been identified. Police say he may have been disoriented when he drove passed security Friday morning. He was quickly detained by police.

 

Airport spokesman Greg Chin says no flights or landings were delayed. Although the runway was closed for a short time, he says the airport's other three runways were not affected.

Although this is pretty funny on the surface, it really reinforces my belief that once you 65 years old, you should have to take a driving test every year.

[Theunicornhunter 2]

Although this is pretty funny on the surface, it really reinforces my belief that once you 65 years old, you should have to take a driving test every year.

 

While it is true that our bodies deteriorate as we age and we will all reach a point when we can't drive, nontheless I'm going to take you to task on this one - why shouldn't teenagers have to take a test every year? They have the most accidents. And considering the number of people who are 73 and still driving without incident - singling out people based on age on the relatively young age of 65 is unnecessarily discriminatory - 65 gets younger every year :angry: .

 

Some insurance carriers require medical checkups for older drivers and in florida drivers over 80 have to pass an eye exam - policies that make a lot of sense. And really - it isn't just age that makes people unsafe - many younger people have issues with blood pressure, diabetes etc that make them riskier behind the wheel. One of the greatest risks on the road are people falling asleep - these are most likely to be stressed out people in their 30's and 40's juggling family and work.

 

And I would like to know how you expect people to get to the grocery store for food, to work or to doctor's appointments if they can't drive? This country is woefully backwards in its public transportation. I actually submitted that question to one of the debates - it was, of course, ignored. But as baby boomers do age and we do have a larger elderly population - many of whom will eventually become unsafe drivers - how do we plan for them to be able to get around?

 

I would prefer we had adequate public transportation not just for the elderly but for everyone but I don't see that happening any time soon.

[Kor37 9]

If they can't pass an eye test or get easily confused when driving due to advanced age and possible alzheimers, then they shouldn't be driving to the store. They would put themselves and others in danger. I myself was in an accident years ago with this poor old lady who just went through a stop sign and plowed into me. Turns out she was senile.....but still had her license. Afterwards, they took her license away but only after a long stay in the hospital for her.

[He Who Shall Not Be Named 2]

The issue at hand is elderly drivers. You can think teenage drivers is a more serious problem and still do something about elderly drivers if that is the opportunity that presents itself.

[Theunicornhunter 2]

The issue at hand is elderly drivers. You can think teenage drivers is a more serious problem and still do something about elderly drivers if that is the opportunity that presents itself.

 

I'm not sure I consider 65 elderly - and if there is any state in the union that has a problem with elderly drivers - well, you can guess which one that would be.

 

But my point was - just a blithe - "take away their license" just solves one problem by creating another. Basically, the people will sit in their homes and die of starvation or lack of medical care if they don't have a way to get to the store and to the hospital. And with an aging population, unless we want to see more accidents involving elderly drivers or see more elderly people starving in their apartments - well then we need to address the issue of public transportation. Ten years from now when the problem has become an epidemic some yokel politician may finally address the issue - we should be addressing it now.

 

The reason people drive when they shouldn't is because they have to - whether it's people with suspended licenses or the elderly etc. I've been told other countries have much better public transportation -

 

Sure we don't want elderly drivers killing other people but I don't really want young ones, cell phones chatters, or drinkers killing me either. :angry: It isn't elderly drivers that try to kill me every day - it's younger ones. I'll also say the driver in this article is unique - I can't remember the last time I saw an elderly person "speed"

 

****

I have to add this - it isn't that I think younger drivers cause more accidents - it is statistically that they do. And it after age 80 - not 65 that statistically elderly drivers become nearly as dangerous as the 16-24 age range. And younger people are more likely to be involved in fatal accidents (as opposed to non-fatal).

 

What bugs me is leaping to drastic measure on the basis of one or two incidents and ignoring much more serious threats. When those five cheadleaders got themselves killed by texting while speeding why no clamour to get teenagers off the road. I have to commute everyday so people's driving is a real concern to me. And I also do wonder how I will live when I can't drive anymore - it's still a ways off but the time will come. I hate driving I'd give it up tomorrow if we had adequate public transporation.

Edited April 27, 2008 by TheUnicornHunter

[trekz 7]

I agree with TUH that if you insist on testing all drivers at 65, it is just as fair to test younger drivers every two years until they hit 20, to reinforce those rules of the road some seem to ignore. I had two uncles who drove into their eighties. One decided he needed to stop driving voluntarily. The other had his daughters finally take away the keys - a really tough decision for a man who was a car dealer for many years. I also agree that many sleepy drivers and cell phone drivers are a real danger and concern.

 

Also in addition to agreeing about the problem of inadequate public transportation, I would add the need for health care for everyone. If more older people could afford regular checkups and eye exams, it is much more likely that health problems will be discovered earlier, and that they can be dagnosed and monitored so that those who need to stop diriving, or only drive during the day, etc. can be either encouraged or forced to stop driving. There must, however, be viable alternatives to driving or we condemn our older citizens to tough choices or isolation that is unacceptable imo.

Edited April 27, 2008 by trekz

[Kor37 9]

"take away their license" just solves one problem by creating another. Basically, the people will sit in their homes and die of starvation or lack of medical care if they don't have a way to get to the store and to the hospital.

There are many services available for shut-ins. Better to make use of them than running the risk of killing someone because you are no longer able to concentrate.

It isn't elderly drivers that try to kill me every day - it's younger ones.

Apples and oranges. Younger drivers drive recklessly because they are either stupid or immature. We are talking about people who may not realize or are unwilling to accept that after years of driving safely, they are now physically and/or mentally unable to do it anymore. Its not their fault. Its just part of getting old.

What bugs me is leaping to drastic measure on the basis of one or two incidents

One or two incidents? These incidents are happening much more frequently now that people are living longer. I must read at least 10 articles a year dealing with senile drivers either killing themselves or killing or maiming other people. I'm sure that there are many other incidents that never get reported nationally.The accident involving myself and the senile lady didn't make it into the papers.

[Theunicornhunter 2]

There are many services available for shut-ins.

First of all we shouln't turn people into "shut ins" - And while there may some services in some large metropolitan areas across the country in general - there are not adequate resources - that's my point - not that unsafe drivers should drive but that we should provide options.

 

If we had adequate public transportation systems then all unsafe drivers - not just the elderly - would have a way to maintain their independence and not become a "burden on society" and not risk public safety. It would be much easier to get someone to take the bus if they started when they were young and were used to it than waiting until they are old

 

I must read at least 10 articles a year dealing with senile drivers either killing themselves or killing or maiming other people. I'm sure that there are many other incidents that never get reported nationally.The accident involving myself and the senile lady didn't make it into the papers.

10 articles a year compared to the 100's everyday involving youthful, drunk or distracted drivers that don't make it to the papers. - I'm not saying there isn't a problem - I am saying we should research some statistics and get facts before we start making public policy - people kill people because they're talking on their cell phone and they don't even do jail time - and that is their fault.

 

1. Elderly drivers aren't the biggest problem - don't single them out - address all unsafe drivers

2. Age 65 is too young to start draconian measures

3. And elderly drivers are less likely to cause fatal crashes even when they are involved in accidents

4. We as a society need to offer alternatives to private automobile dependence to get all unsafe drivers - not just the elderly off the road.

Edited April 27, 2008 by TheUnicornHunter