OMG, Jojo! Thank heavens that you're going to be fine in a bit of time. Isn't this the second crash you've been in this year? Take it easy, and see if you can get somebody to bring you some arnica montana, 200C, for help with that bruising.

You are so right about the elderly and cars. After a fair bit of begging, I finally got my mother's doctor to send in the form to the Ministry of Transport here to revoke her driver's license, effective immediately. She bought herself a new car in Novemeber, put about 500 kilometers on it, and the rear end is all smashed up. My dad says it's about $1500 worth of damage. It's been a couple of years since anyone in my family would get into her car if she was driving, just scared the living daylights out of us all.

It's a shame that it seems to be too expensive to give oldsters a road test every couple of years, because that would really help illiminate the dangerous ones from driving at all. I understand that it's a terrible blow to their independance, but as I've been telling both of my parents for a few years now, taxis are much less expensive than maintaining 2 cars, not to mention the insurance. And my mother's insurance was higher than if she were a 16 year old boy with a Ferrari, she's had so many fender-benders.

Maybe you should write an article about this problem. It's a biggie, and I am so glad that it wasn't too serious, and that Jackson is okay. All doctors of the elderly should be making evaluations of their patients on a regular basis for their ability to drive. Even the slightest bit of cognitive dysfunction, as in being "pleasantly confused" should be the first thing a doctor would use as reason for cancellation of a license. Not to mention a lapse of judgement, even for a split second.

That old fellow needs to be taken off the road, ASAP!

See, that's the problem with kids trying to get the old ones to stop driving. It needs to be done through a doctor, because that way, there's no arguing about it. People beyond a certain age, and I recommend 80, should need a doctor's okay before reapplying for a licence renewal. There would have to be a test of both cognitive and physical abilities, done by their family physician every other year. And if they don't get close to 100%, then sorry, but no more driving.

We had a terrible time when my mother-in-law had to stop driving. She was furious because my s-i-l had to do it as in Kansas at the time, there wasn't any medical form for the doctors to fill out and send in. It was left up to family, and what a row that caused.

And I remember one time when I lived in California, some ancient old guy in a parking lot at Payless, smashing into about 4 cars trying to get parked. I left my name and phone number on the windshields of the damaged cars and within a couple of days, a policeman showed up at my door asking me to identify the old man, and when I did, he said they'd been trying to get him off the road for 3 years. He was 94. Ridiculous!

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Oh goodness Jojo, I was trying to stay off the net for the weekend but couldnt read this and not stop in to see how you are doing. I hope you can get a good handle on the pain soon....We loves ya

Thanks Shelly. I'm getting better, just resting and taking it easy. Today's a raindy day too,so perfect for a few games of Candyland and Chutes and Ladders with Jackson.

Kae, I told my mom that when she got up there in age, that I'd for sure take care of her every way I could. Sad thing is though, most kids don't want to take care of their parents. She sees it every day at the retirement home.

JoJo, I'm so very sorry to hear about your accident. It must have been terrifying, especially with Jackson in the backseat. Thank goodness he is alright!

I hope that you feel better, and you have the darndest luck, two accidents within a year. I'll be sending healing thoughts to you!

Sophia

jojo, i'm so glad that both you & jackson are both okay. that must have scared the hell out of you!!

living in FL i definitely agree. anyone over 70 should be retested yearly. if states were creative they could get a computer program that tests reaction time & driving skill. would eat up testers...who are already overwhelmed....time by doing actual on the road testing.

doctors are notoriously resistant to send that letter to the state for some reason. frankly, i don't get it. maybe more of the children should tell the docs when they make the request that if anything happens to the elderly person in question, any paaenger, or anyone they hit.....that they will hold them liable. then make them sign a paper (witnessed) stating that they denied the request from the family member. they'd be signing fast then lol.

kris