Now the title sounds very suspicious. What government, in their right mind, is going to go around giving people birthday presents?
On my next birthday I will be 75. Here , driver's licences are renewed every five years on your birthday. At age 75 , in this province, you must get a medical before they will issue you another licence. Now the medical is free! So there you have it. The province gave me a medical for my 75th birthday. I've already taken advantage of my gift and had my medical and will be going down to renew my licence shortly.
Now the medical was cursory at best. I was given a basic eye test from the chart. My blood pressure was taken and a number of questions asked and check marks put in the appropriate box. That's all folks. I can now drive for another five years unless something incredibly severe happens.
This last while I keep noticing poor drivers. I don't know whether drivers are getting worse or if I'm getting crankier. People seem to be doing really stupid things on a regular basis. This week I was at a red light on a one way street. The person on my left was stopped beside me. Then for some reason they just started to cross the intersection and proceed through the red light. I couldn't believe it. Twice this week I've had to come to a stop when some one is stopped and either lost or trying to find out where to go. People do not seem to have any ideas of the basic rules for driving. I could go on.
Maybe, the medical should be stricter and IQ's taken? Maybe a driver's written and road test should be done every year? Here it seems anybody and everybody gets a licence to drive no matter what.
So as a senior I want to continue to drive, but I want to drive at a high skill level so that I'm safe and everybody else is safe.
Are drivers getting worse or am I just being super critical?
Drivers here are pretty much the same. The dangerous ones are the young who think they are on a race track, but everyone else makes a stupid mistake now and again, but pretty much drives well.
ReplyDeleteAnd some people change lanes very aggressively and don't leave enough space between vehicles.
DeleteNo, you are not being super critical. There are so many drivers on the road today and a good amount of them do not follow the rules - they take crazy chances - I have see it and cannot believe how fast they drive even in the middle of town or how fast they fly up our street. There have been two major accidents on our very quiet residential street with 17 year olds "dashing" through stop signs. The last one took out our fence, and front porch. I am thankful that Puppy Jack wasn't out on the deck that particular day. Never assume, that because you have the right of way or the green light you can GO, becasue some A__Hole is gonna fly through. Always keeping eyes open and continuing to drive safely is my motto and so far I have not been struck down or hit by the ignorant. Well you passed your test and you get to drive another 5 years - it should be 10 or 15 - I'd rather have you on the road than the others, cause I know you are not speeding anymore, right, Sir Red :) Have a wonderful Saturday :)
ReplyDeleteYou really know how to rub that speeding ticket in every chance you get! I deserve it. I've seen all the stuff you describe. They've made cars much safer but do the idiots think they can really bang things up and not get hurt?
DeleteIt's always good to get something for nothing.
ReplyDeleteEven if it is some dumb medical!
DeleteI agree, Red. People are distracted and distracting. They aren't paying attention to the road, nor driving defensively. They are aggressive. Not all drivers, mind you, but enough that it makes driving dangerous. You take care! Happy birthday, too!
ReplyDeleteIt would e nice if we could take the idiots off the road.
DeleteCongratulations on being a healthy 75 year old. I'm only three years behind you. Wish they did something similar on our side of the border, but they let people just keep driving until they decide on their own to stop. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteThe birthday is still to come. It's pretty much the same here. People usually drive long after their best before date.
Deletei think driver's are more careless - distracted by phones, texting, music, whatever. we all need to be more careful.
ReplyDeleteThe distraction is certainly something recent. Many of the stupid things are done by people who are distracted.
DeleteMy mother-in-law lost her license at 85 many years ago. She is till complaining about it. We were thankful she failed the test as she was a public danger.
ReplyDeleteSome people are amazing. We have a friend, Alma, who got her license renewed last week. Alma just turned 95! I don't think she would have got it in a city. But here, from September to June it is common to drive 30 minutes without seeing an other car.
Usually we go kicking and screaming when we give up our licence.
DeleteIt is every year here. Happy Upcoming Birthday
ReplyDeleteOur govt. in it's wisdom thinks it saves money by using the five year term.
DeleteI think we oldies are getting crankier and more impatient. But how can we help it when the roads are clogged up with hordes of bad (young) drivers? hehehe
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't admit to being crankier and more impatient. LOL
DeleteAlas Red, I feel the same about drivers over here. I like the idea of an IQ test....haha!
ReplyDeleteYes and make the cut off about 120!
DeleteI think drivers are getting worse. I don't remember such a thing as road rage when I was younger and learning to drive. Congratulations on renewing that license.
ReplyDeleteRoad rage is a terrifying thing to see. All I had to do is remain vertical to get my licence.
DeleteBe thankful mate - governments rarely give anything away.
ReplyDeleteGot to agree with the viewers - this business is here in epidemic proportions - road rage and texting, mobile phones that are not connected but hand held, screaming so called "music" blaring ( and that also in illegal), but can you have a policeman on every corner??
And with no fear of being crucified by outraged lady readers of this blog ( interesting as it always is) - the Pacific Ocean thankfully comes into play - young females are the worst - phoning, texting and driving! But a shout at them, if HEARD brings a lovely "one finger salute"!!!
Cheers
Colin
I'm so glad you passed the test with driving colors, Red!
ReplyDeleteOh - so these poor driving habits aren't just in Boston - running red lights, going straight from a turn-only lane, riding in the exit only lane and cutting back in at the last moment... I'm seeing it more and more, and I'm surprised every time. I don't think it's an IQ issue around here - more of a "rules don't apply to me" issue. Happy birthday!
ReplyDeleteThere are a lot of bad drivers on the road, and it's easy to become frustrated at times.
ReplyDeleteThat's wonderful that you passed your test. I hope you keep driving for many more years!
I think that more people are distracted while driving...and that causes more accidents:(
ReplyDeleteGlad you passed the test! 75 is the new 55 :)
ReplyDeleteI think we've always had a share of appalling drivers but I'm one of the few who regard speeding as equally bad: I've seen the results. A child running out in front of a speeding car (of course it couldn't happen to you dear reader) rarely stands a chance. The driver's life is ruined too.
ReplyDelete