Knocked down by an elderly driver

"D.M. Procida" <[email hidden]> wrote in
message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

[This supercedes an earlier message]

This morning I was knocked off my bike by an elderly neighbour, who
drove into my path and towards me from a side road. She saw me, but
instead of braking got muddled and hit the wrong pedal (I heard the
engine rev up, and she said so herself).

Fortunately, it all happened at fairly low speed, and while I went
bouncing onto my backside in a puddle on the pavement, and have a couple
of new bruises, I'm more shaken up than hurt.

She was very shaken up herself, and apologetic.

I don't think, for her safety and other people's, that she should be
driving - perhaps this was entirely anomalous, but I supect that more
likely it was an accident waiting to happen.

What's the best thing to do about this? I don't want to have her visited
by the South Wales's finest and upset further, but I think doing nothing
is the best thing to do.

Daniele

Tricky one this. If you truly don't want to upset her, then any suggestion
to her that she consider how much more serious the outcome could have been
under only very slightly differing circumstances could do just that. But at
the same time she does need to be upset enough to put her own competence
under a critical light. Perhaps a small suggestion that she might feel
happier with someone else driving - if you drive you could always volunteer
yourself?

D.M. Procida said:

What's the best thing to do about this? I don't want to have her visited
by the South Wales's finest and upset further, but I think doing nothing
is the best thing to do.

[I think there is a "don't" missing]

Report it to the police. You could do so in writing and explain
(a) What happened - fact
(b) Consequences - fact
And ask them how they propose to persuade the driver to
turn in her licence. Put it in writing that you are
very concerned about heavy handed policing but it might
be a useful public service if they could persuade her that
she ought not to be driving if she gets confused.

--
Peter Fox
Beer, dancing, cycling and lots more at www.eminent.demon.co.uk

Budstaff said:

Quoted message said:

This morning I was knocked off my bike by an elderly neighbour, who
drove into my path and towards me from a side road. She saw me, but
instead of braking got muddled and hit the wrong pedal (I heard the
engine rev up, and she said so herself).

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

What's the best thing to do about this? I don't want to have her visited
by the South Wales's finest and upset further, but I think doing nothing
is the best thing to do.

Obviously, I meant doing nothing is *not* the best thing to do.

Quoted message said:

Tricky one this. If you truly don't want to upset her, then any suggestion
to her that she consider how much more serious the outcome could have been
under only very slightly differing circumstances could do just that. But at
the same time she does need to be upset enough to put her own competence
under a critical light. Perhaps a small suggestion that she might feel
happier with someone else driving - if you drive you could always volunteer
yourself?

I don't know her well enough for that. Perhaps I might if I made the
suggestion!

Daniele

On Thu, 31 Jan 2008 10:43:58 +0000

(D.M. Procida) said:

She was very shaken up herself, and apologetic.

which *could* be all it needs.

Quoted message said:

I don't think, for her safety and other people's, that she should be
driving - perhaps this was entirely anomalous, but I supect that more
likely it was an accident waiting to happen.

How likely is she to decide that for herself? Many people do!

Quoted message said:

What's the best thing to do about this? I don't want to have her
visited by the South Wales's finest and upset further, but I think
doing nothing is the best thing to do.

Upset further may not be the main issue. Rather, what's most likely
to fix the problem. In any case, is any serious action very likely,
given that there wasn't an injury?

--
not me guv

On Jan 31, 11:31 am, [email hidden]

(D.M. Procida) said:

Quoted message said:

Tricky one this. If you truly don't want to upset her, then any suggestion
to her that she consider how much more serious the outcome could have been
under only very slightly differing circumstances could do just that. Butat
the same time she does need to be upset enough to put her own competence
under a critical light. Perhaps a small suggestion that she might feel
happier with someone else driving - if you drive you could always volunteer
yourself?

I don't know her well enough for that. Perhaps I might if I made the
suggestion!

Any chance you could talk to a relative? Watch out for son/daughter
visiting for Sunday lunch maybe?

I'm not sure you can completely avoid her being upset - it's likely to
be a sensitive issue for most people as it represents ageing, loss of
independence, etc. But being involved in a more serious accident would
be much more upsetting and an unpleasant end to her driving career.

Rob

This could almost be a question from the radio show examining moral
dilemmas.

On the one hand you don't want to deprive her of her independence but
on the other hand how would you feel if the following month she made
the same mistake or worse and a child lost their life.

I would report the event to the proper authorities and let them make
that decision for you.

Quoted message said:

This morning I was knocked off my bike by an elderly neighbour, who
drove into my path and towards me from a side road. She saw me, but
instead of braking got muddled and hit the wrong pedal (I heard the
engine rev up, and she said so herself).

Well, if she saw you and tried to stop then her eyesight and reflexes
are okay. If getting the peddles mixed up/un-coordinated was a once
off then it's probably not too bad. It does happen now and again.

Duncan

"Duncan Smith" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

This morning I was knocked off my bike by an elderly neighbour, who
drove into my path and towards me from a side road. She saw me, but
instead of braking got muddled and hit the wrong pedal (I heard the
engine rev up, and she said so herself).

Well, if she saw you and tried to stop then her eyesight and reflexes
are okay. If getting the peddles mixed up/un-coordinated was a once
off then it's probably not too bad. It does happen now and again.

Yeah, somebody did that in Cambridge a few years back. Had a seizure of some
kind, floored it, killed the baby in the pram on the other side of the road.

Getting the two confused is actually _really_ dangerous. Not just "not too
bad". Do the same to a lorry rather than a bike, and rather than Daniele
picking himself off the road and going ow, we've got a squashed car and
driver.

cheers,
clive

D.M. Procida wibbled

Quoted message said:

She saw me, but
instead of braking got muddled and hit the wrong pedal (I heard the
engine rev up, and she said so herself).

What's the best thing to do about this? I don't want to have her
visited by the South Wales's finest and upset further, but I think
doing nothing is the best thing to do.

I'd suggest that if she gets flustered when she comes across something
unexpected then she's bloody lucky it was 'only you' and at a very slow
speed this time. How would you feel if you did nothing (Nice, kind,
neighbourly, feel-good) and then heard that next week she'd done the
same to a 12 year old?

I suggest reporting the facts concisely to the Police is the best
course.

Trying to be 'nice and neighbourly' about it _will_ complicate matters
immensely. (BTDTGTTS)

--
Paul - [censored]

'96/'97 Landrover Discovery 300 Tdi 'Big and Butch'
'98 Suzuki DR 200 Djebel 'Small but perfectly formed'
Dyna Tech Cro-Mo comp "When I feel fit enough'

Quoted message said:

I think

Quoted message said:

doing nothing is the best thing to do.

OP meant the opposite.

Perhaps a course of action would be to approach driver- a card, or
call by - and ascertain if driver has a sense of responsibilities to
others.

If that leads nowhere satisfactory, you could then write saying that
you are considering claiming damages, however regretfully; it might
then be reported to her insurers.

--
Charles
Brompton P6R-Plus; CarryFreedom -YL, in Motspur Park
LCC; CTC.

Duncan Smith said the following on 31/01/2008 13:10:

Quoted message said:

If getting the peddles (sic) mixed up/un-coordinated was a once
off then it's probably not too bad. It does happen now and again.

Er, no it doesn't!!!!!

--
Paul Boyd
http://www.paul-boyd.co.uk/

On Jan 31, 10:43 am, [email hidden]

(D.M. Procida) said:

[This supercedes an earlier message]

This morning I was knocked off my bike by an elderly neighbour, who
drove into my path and towards me from a side road. She saw me, but
instead of braking got muddled and hit the wrong pedal (I heard the
engine rev up, and she said so herself).

Fortunately, it all happened at fairly low speed, and while I went
bouncing onto my backside in a puddle on the pavement, and have a couple
of new bruises, I'm more shaken up than hurt.

She was very shaken up herself, and apologetic.

I don't think, for her safety and other people's, that she should be
driving - perhaps this was entirely anomalous, but I supect that more
likely it was an accident waiting to happen.

What's the best thing to do about this? I don't want to have her visited
by the South Wales's finest and upset further, but I think doing nothing
is the best thing to do.

Daniele

I'd say talk to them. A friend of mine had a similar encounter (as a
pedestrian rather than cyclist) and whilst the driver was somewhat
upset by a police visit, it did confirm to them what their adult
children had said for quite some time. Indeed, the children actually
thanked him in person.

Noone wants to lose their independence, and the elderly are sometimes
in denial about their senses. Remember; when you have to give up
something as you get older, be it skiing, driving or even cycling, the
consequence isn't that you'll perhaps take it up again at some point
later in life, rather it's the end of something that you'll never,
ever be fit enough to do.

In news:[email hidden],
Paul Boyd <usenet.is.worse@plusnet> tweaked the Babbage-Engine to tell us:

Quoted message said:

Duncan Smith said the following on 31/01/2008 13:10:

Quoted message said:

If getting the peddles (sic) mixed up/un-coordinated was a once
off then it's probably not too bad. It does happen now and again.

Er, no it doesn't!!!!!

It did quite a lot in the USA during the 1980s.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audi_100#Audi_100_.26_200_C3.2C_1983.E2.80.9392

--
Dave Larrington
<http://www.legslarry.beerdrinkers.co.uk>
25.806975801127880315188420605149 - the root of all evil.

D.M. Procida said:

What's the best thing to do about this? I don't want to have her
visited by the South Wales's finest and upset further, but I think
doing nothing is [not] the best thing to do.

Drivers of all ages know they have important responsibilities and know the
police could be involved after any incident.

Sadly, it may take the further upset of a visit from the police, or even
some civil action, to make her change her ways - be that giving up driving
or seeking medical advice, etc.

So I think you should treat it like any other case - for the sake of the
safety of others.

~PB

"Pete Biggs" <[email hidden]> wrote in
message news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

D.M. Procida said:

What's the best thing to do about this? I don't want to have her
visited by the South Wales's finest and upset further, but I think
doing nothing is [not] the best thing to do.

Drivers of all ages know they have important responsibilities and know the
police could be involved after any incident.

Sadly, it may take the further upset of a visit from the police, or even
some civil action, to make her change her ways - be that giving up driving
or seeking medical advice, etc.

So I think you should treat it like any other case - for the sake of the
safety of others.

~PB

Indeed. I remember trying to get my dad to give up driving when he got into
his 70s. His eyesight was appalling, his reaction time *poor* and his
inability to correctly judge his speed - he was always going a lot faster
than he thought he was: his taking a bend or corner could prove
*interesting*

My siblings & I mentioned it, encouraged him to give up, nagged him to give
up... we pointed out that whilst he had not yet managed to injure or kill
either himself, our mother, us or some innocent third party, we all felt it
was only a matter of time. Indeed for a long time, I wouldn't be a pasenger
in the car if he was driving. For some considerable time his (and our
mother's) answer was that as far as his doc was concerned, he was fine.
Mentioning that his doc never actually got into a car with him made not one
iota of difference. Luckily, in my Dad's case, he came to his senses and
gave up driving, but it was not an easy or quick thing to do to get him to
come to that conclusion. The worst one about it all was my mother. She was
an utterly selfish PITA about it, about how her access to go places was
being stopped, how no-one was thinking of her. It was pointed out that there
was a bus stop a couple of hundred yards away and as she had no difficulty
walking, had a bus pass... and how the buses were frequent, even into the
night and at weekends, she really didn't have much of an argument. She was,
however, very good at making everyone's life h*ll after that - no-one was
allowed to forget how she was having to pay for everyone's lack of
consideration for her... sigh. I was just forever thankful he never hurt
anyone, as he really would never have forgiven himself, as he was a good
man - just not aware of how his driving abilities dropped as he aged.

D.M. Procida said:

[This supercedes an earlier message]

This morning I was knocked off my bike by an elderly neighbour, who
drove into my path and towards me from a side road. She saw me, but
instead of braking got muddled and hit the wrong pedal (I heard the
engine rev up, and she said so herself).

Fortunately, it all happened at fairly low speed, and while I went
bouncing onto my backside in a puddle on the pavement, and have a couple
of new bruises, I'm more shaken up than hurt.

She was very shaken up herself, and apologetic.

I don't think, for her safety and other people's, that she should be
driving - perhaps this was entirely anomalous, but I supect that more
likely it was an accident waiting to happen.

What's the best thing to do about this? I don't want to have her visited
by the South Wales's finest and upset further, but I think doing nothing
is the best thing to do.

I think you must either have a word with her, with her relatives or
friends or with the police, in decreasing order of preference.

The police will not prosecute unless you are willing to make a statement
and appear as a witness. They may, however, be happy to persuade her to
look for other ways of getting about. Obviously, it would be preferable
for your neighbour to be persuaded of this fact either of her own accord
or by relatives and friends.

Cheers,
Luke

--
Red Rose Ramblings, the diary of an Essex boy in
exile in Lancashire <http://www.shrimper.org.uk>

Paul Boyd usenet.is.worse@plusnet said:

Duncan Smith said the following on 31/01/2008 13:10:

Quoted message said:

It does happen now and again.

Er, no it doesn't!!!!!

--
Paul Boydhttp://www.paul-boyd.co.uk/

Oh yes it does 🙁
I have vivid memories (from 35 years ago) of jumping into my newly
aquired Healey Sprite, parked on our sloping drive, to just roll it up
to the garage door to make more room on the drive, and pushing bloody
hard on the clutch pedal to pursuade the damn thing to stop.
Fortunately it was not too steep a slope, and the bang as it hit the
garage not too loud....

"wafflycat" <w*a*ff£y£cat*@£btco*nn£ect.com> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Pete Biggs" <[email hidden]> wrote in
message news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

D.M. Procida said:

What's the best thing to do about this? I don't want to have her
visited by the South Wales's finest and upset further, but I think
doing nothing is [not] the best thing to do.

Drivers of all ages know they have important responsibilities and know the
police could be involved after any incident.

Sadly, it may take the further upset of a visit from the police, or even
some civil action, to make her change her ways - be that giving up driving
or seeking medical advice, etc.

So I think you should treat it like any other case - for the sake of the
safety of others.

~PB

Indeed. I remember trying to get my dad to give up driving when he got into
his 70s. His eyesight was appalling, his reaction time *poor* and his
inability to correctly judge his speed - he was always going a lot faster
than he thought he was: his taking a bend or corner could prove
*interesting*

My siblings & I mentioned it, encouraged him to give up, nagged him to give
up... we pointed out that whilst he had not yet managed to injure or kill
either himself, our mother, us or some innocent third party, we all felt it
was only a matter of time. Indeed for a long time, I wouldn't be a pasenger
in the car if he was driving. For some considerable time his (and our
mother's) answer was that as far as his doc was concerned, he was fine.
Mentioning that his doc never actually got into a car with him made not one
iota of difference. Luckily, in my Dad's case, he came to his senses and
gave up driving, but it was not an easy or quick thing to do to get him to
come to that conclusion. The worst one about it all was my mother. She was
an utterly selfish PITA about it, about how her access to go places was
being stopped, how no-one was thinking of her. It was pointed out that there
was a bus stop a couple of hundred yards away and as she had no difficulty
walking, had a bus pass... and how the buses were frequent, even into the
night and at weekends, she really didn't have much of an argument. She was,
however, very good at making everyone's life h*ll after that - no-one was
allowed to forget how she was having to pay for everyone's lack of
consideration for her... sigh. I was just forever thankful he never hurt
anyone, as he really would never have forgiven himself, as he was a good
man - just not aware of how his driving abilities dropped as he aged.

My god what a lot of "ageism rhetoric" from people for whom I have quite a
lot of respect for their views

I am now in my 71st year and although my body is coming up to 71 yrs old, my
mind is as alert as it was at -- say 30. I certainly have far quicker
reactions on my daily bike trips than a huge number of numpty teenage- 50 yr
old motorists that I encounter. I would also bet that I could bear most of
them on a straightforward, simple endurance walking event -- never mind on my
velo!

My daily cycling also makes me a far better ( no -- not better -- a more
aware motorist ) than most numpty drivers I see around me every day. And the
majority of then are under 50!

Let me tell you of typical slow speed incident that happened at 14 53 hrs
Wednesday afternoon.

A "competent" numpty motorist climbed into his 4 x 4 thingy, reversed into a
"road up" area, knocking 2 pavement mounted signs ( on the other side of the
road). He then hurtled forward dragging one of the signs attached to his rear
and nearly skidded into my parked car ( on its one day per week outing taking
my 100 yr old dad out to his bingo).

I pointed out -- politely -- his incapability to control his vehicle and was
met with the expected verbal abuse and he drove off towing the sign still
attached to his rear end

As a matter of interest my dad drove safely in his car until he was 92 -- at
which stage he said it was rime to stop. In all his years of motoring he had
only made one claim on his insurance ( and that was me when I was about
2 -- driving his car!)

Now if this incident was caused by a much younger person --- oh no that
could never happen could it -- there would be a totally different but yet
still the "cycle mafia" view expresses its ageist reaction -- except that
time it would be a teenaged numpty causing the incident!

WHAT A LOAD OF PIFFLE

Come on you lot, think with your brains not with your saddle sore arses! (
and I include my friend wafflycat)

At least this post has raised my blood temperature on this blustery cold night
so that I don't need the central heating

Apologies for typos

--
Trevor A Panther
In South Yorkshire,
England, United Kingdom.
www.tapan.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk

the age was supposed to be 22 not 2

I did say sorry for typos!

--
Trevor A Panther
In South Yorkshire,
England, United Kingdom.
www.tapan.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk

"Trevor A Panther" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"wafflycat" <w*a*ff£y£cat*@£btco*nn£ect.com> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Pete Biggs" <[email hidden]> wrote in
message news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

D.M. Procida wrote:
> What's the best thing to do about this? I don't want to have her
> visited by the South Wales's finest and upset further, but I think
> doing nothing is [not] the best thing to do.

Drivers of all ages know they have important responsibilities and know the
police could be involved after any incident.

Sadly, it may take the further upset of a visit from the police, or even
some civil action, to make her change her ways - be that giving up driving
or seeking medical advice, etc.

So I think you should treat it like any other case - for the sake of the
safety of others.

~PB

Indeed. I remember trying to get my dad to give up driving when he got into
his 70s. His eyesight was appalling, his reaction time *poor* and his
inability to correctly judge his speed - he was always going a lot faster
than he thought he was: his taking a bend or corner could prove
*interesting*

My siblings & I mentioned it, encouraged him to give up, nagged him to give
up... we pointed out that whilst he had not yet managed to injure or kill
either himself, our mother, us or some innocent third party, we all felt it
was only a matter of time. Indeed for a long time, I wouldn't be a pasenger
in the car if he was driving. For some considerable time his (and our
mother's) answer was that as far as his doc was concerned, he was fine.
Mentioning that his doc never actually got into a car with him made not one
iota of difference. Luckily, in my Dad's case, he came to his senses and
gave up driving, but it was not an easy or quick thing to do to get him to
come to that conclusion. The worst one about it all was my mother. She was
an utterly selfish PITA about it, about how her access to go places was
being stopped, how no-one was thinking of her. It was pointed out that
there was a bus stop a couple of hundred yards away and as she had no
difficulty walking, had a bus pass... and how the buses were frequent, even
into the night and at weekends, she really didn't have much of an argument.
She was, however, very good at making everyone's life h*ll after that -
no-one was allowed to forget how she was having to pay for everyone's lack
of consideration for her... sigh. I was just forever thankful he never hurt
anyone, as he really would never have forgiven himself, as he was a good
man - just not aware of how his driving abilities dropped as he aged.

My god what a lot of "ageism rhetoric" from people for whom I have quite a
lot of respect for their views

I am now in my 71st year and although my body is coming up to 71 yrs old,
my mind is as alert as it was at -- say 30. I certainly have far quicker
reactions on my daily bike trips than a huge number of numpty teenage- 50 yr
old motorists that I encounter. I would also bet that I could bear most of
them on a straightforward, simple endurance walking event -- never mind on
my velo!

My daily cycling also makes me a far better ( no -- not better -- a more
aware motorist ) than most numpty drivers I see around me every day. And the
majority of then are under 50!

Let me tell you of typical slow speed incident that happened at 14 53 hrs
Wednesday afternoon.

A "competent" numpty motorist climbed into his 4 x 4 thingy, reversed into a
"road up" area, knocking 2 pavement mounted signs ( on the other side of the
road). He then hurtled forward dragging one of the signs attached to his
rear and nearly skidded into my parked car ( on its one day per week outing
taking my 100 yr old dad out to his bingo).

I pointed out -- politely -- his incapability to control his vehicle and
was met with the expected verbal abuse and he drove off towing the sign
still attached to his rear end

As a matter of interest my dad drove safely in his car until he was 92 -- at
which stage he said it was rime to stop. In all his years of motoring he had
only made one claim on his insurance ( and that was me when I was about
-- driving his car!)

Now if this incident was caused by a much younger person --- oh no that
could never happen could it -- there would be a totally different but yet
still the "cycle mafia" view expresses its ageist reaction -- except that
time it would be a teenaged numpty causing the incident!

WHAT A LOAD OF PIFFLE

Come on you lot, think with your brains not with your saddle sore arses!
( and I include my friend wafflycat)

At least this post has raised my blood temperature on this blustery cold
night so that I don't need the central heating

Apologies for typos

--
Trevor A Panther
In South Yorkshire,
England, United Kingdom.
www.tapan.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk