91 year-old driver makes U-Turn on Expressway

[james]

A 91 year-old. driver, after making a U-turn on an expressway and driving 1.3 km in the wrong direction caused a head-on collision with another vehicle at around 6.15 a.m. on Jan 11th. The elderly driver, after sustaining heavy chest injuries was pronounced dead two hours after being brought to hospital.

The driver of the other vehicle, a 35 year old elementary school teacher, sustained light injuries, while his wife and 5 year old son were seriously injured.

asahi.com article here (japanese).

[FG Lurker]

WTF was a 91yo doing driving? Seriously, get these old fuckers OFF THE ROAD!

[Greji]

WTF was a 91yo doing driving? Seriously, get these old fuckers OFF THE ROAD!

Don't come down the Chuo between 0700 and 0730 in the morning. I change lanes by sound!

[FG Lurker]

Don't come down the Chuo between 0700 and 0730 in the morning. I change lanes by sound!

Just stay outa Osaka and we're fine.

[james]

Don't come down the Chuo between 0700 and 0730 in the morning. I change lanes by sound!

you sure you're not from shimane?

[FG Lurker]

you sure you're not from shimane?

It seems most of the population of Tokyo has migrated from somewhere rural so it wouldn't be too surprising...

[IkemenTommy]

Darwinism at work here.

[Taka-Okami]

I dont think age is the only issue. My grandpa is 90, and he is a kick ass driver, never been in an accident and very safe. Probably they should have a system where people over 70 get tested every 2 years, and over 80 every year. That would help keep most of the ones that really shouldnt be driving off the road. But some people in their 90's are really quiet healthy.

[IkemenTommy]

But some people in their 90's are really quiet healthy.

Take a look at Greji. He is a living proof. He still fucks women less than half of his age.

[james]

He still fucks women less than half of his age.

so like what, 80?

[Greji]

Take a look at Greji. He is a living proof. He still fucks women less than half of his age.

Well, everybody has to have a hobby. It's healthy....

[Iraira]

Take a look at Greji. He is a living proof. He still fucks women less than half of his age.

and he gets a senior citizens discount!:p

[Ketou]

The driver of the other vehicle, a 35 year old elementary school teacher, sustained light injuries, while his wife and 5 year old son were seriously injured.

asahi.com article here (japanese).

Let me guess.....no seat-belt.

[xenomorph42]

Just stay outa Osaka and we're fine.

All you guys have no idea what you're talking about! Fukuoka is the place where you don't want to be! Driving in this city is like watching the movie "Death Race 2000" I always say a prayer when I walk out that door everyday.

[Level3]

Had some old fossil at the DMV while renewing my license in the States, she chatted up her neighbor in the waiting area and basically let loose that she didn't understand why she got a letter from the state saying she needed to go to the DMV because of dementia and why they were going to take away her license, because she "just needs a car to get to the supermarket and such"

Scared the shit out of me that she must have driven there by herself (and that the State is sending letters to demented seniors telling them to drive themselves to the DMV, instead of sending a tow truck to just impound their vehicles and a cop to take their licenses away).
She freakin' got lost ON FOOT just inside the waiting area! It was only 10m X 5m, if that.

Even more scary that dementia doesn't just make her a danger to others, but also so stupid that she (and apparently quite a lot of fossil citizens) can't even realize it. Mandatory annual testing from 60, plus 3 strikes rule on even minor collisions.
Fuck it. There are plenty of stupid drivers of ALL ages. Test everyone.
And institute the death penalty for texting while driving.

Call a taxi, call your family, or get a friend with a car, just like when you were a teen. Oh right, there weren't any cars back then.

"If you're old enough to remember when there WEREN'T any cars, you shouldn't be driving." - Denis Miller

[FG Lurker]

All you guys have no idea what you're talking about! Fukuoka is the place where you don't want to be! Driving in this city is like watching the movie "Death Race 2000" I always say a prayer when I walk out that door everyday.

Come on up to Osaka and I'll take you for a drive....

[Kanchou]

I guess as long as you stay at least 200m away from any car with a leaf on it, you'll be golden... which is to say you'll live long enough to be a 'golden driver.' At which point you will have a leaf, and everyone will stay 200m away from you.

People would have a shit-fit in the US if you made new drivers and the elderly put some sort of mark on their car like that.

[FG Lurker]

People would have a shit-fit in the US if you made new drivers and the elderly put some sort of mark on their car like that.

In BC now learner's permits have a big L stuck on the back of the car and new drivers (first 2 years I think) have a big N. Lots of restrictions too. Certainly glad this shit wasn't happening when I got my license ~20 years ago.

[Yokohammer]

People would have a shit-fit in the US if you made new drivers and the elderly put some sort of mark on their car like that.

People did have a shit-fit about the elderly driver "kareha" mark here too. In fact, I think it's optional now. Don't quote me on that though. I also think they're looking for a new design.

After the age of 70 (or was it 75?) the license period goes down from 5 years to 3 years, and you have to go to the local driving school or DMV at every license renewal to take a special seminar ... which I think also includes "observation" to ensure that you can at least still tie your own shoelaces.

[xenomorph42]

Come on up to Osaka and I'll take you for a drive....

That's OK buddy. I am quite familiar now and accustomed to the locals crappy driving and near suicide misses each day.

Now you want me to come up to Osaka and do the whole thing over again?? Somebody shoot me already!!

[Kagetsu]

Normally I'd agree with everything said here... WTF 91 years old etc.

However, after accidentally getting on an express way at Kawaguchiko last January, and there being no way to get off it for nearly 80km's (plenty of emergency stops though) finally found where I could get off, turn around and head back to my hotel in Kawaguchiko. Suprisingly, there would have had to be an off ramp every 2km's on the way back following the same path.

Good on him!

Additionally though, WTF is with Japanese drivers... So dispassionate about driving... Shows in the cars many drive too. ~_~

[IkemenTommy]

In BC now learner's permits have a big L stuck on the back of the car and new drivers (first 2 years I think) have a big N. Lots of restrictions too. Certainly glad this shit wasn't happening when I got my license ~20 years ago.

L as in..

[Mike Oxlong]

The southernmost prefecture is closer to rural bumfuck China geographically, economically, and behaviorally - driving included. Add the tourists glued to their navis and texting, and the US servicemen from bumfuck Alabama in their Skylines, and you get a helluva clusterfuck...

[FG Lurker]

L as in..

Yeah, that's what my father calls em. L for Loser and N for Newfie.

[Behan]

I thought I overheard one of my J co-workers telling the other people at work that the driver was a retired doctor she used to visit. The guy is from Chiba, so it's possible.
Anyway, just thought I would share that.