As you may know, I was pushing the Cassie’s Law e-petition while it was live. Cassie McCord was 16. She was killed in 2011 by an 87-year old driver who shouldn’t even have been allowed out unsupervised, let alone permitted to drive a car.
I’ve mentioned other examples of elderly drivers maiming or killing innocent people (you can read some of those in the links at the bottom of the Cassie story.
But two more have just come through. This one tells how a partially-sighted 87-year old, Peter Cole, killed another pensioner after driving into him. Following his arrest:
- He could only read a car number plate from 7.75 metres, instead of the required 20 metres
- After the crash he was seen trying to use his mobile phone using glasses and a magnifying glass, and had to hold the phone very close to his face
- SpecSavers had strongly advised him as far back as 2009 not to drive anymore
- A year later he told SpecSavers he didn’t drive anymore
- He had applied for licences in 2004, 2007, and 2010 stating that he had no medical conditions relevant to them being granted
- He was driving using a 10-inch piece of concrete to help him with the pedals
- He had declined the option of cataract surgery
Fortunately, this idiot has been jailed for 18 months. His victim wasn’t so lucky and won’t get a second chance though. It’s all very well “being remorseful”, but he still killed someone through his own selfishness and stupidity.
This other story tells how a 90-year old mowed down a 24-year old pedestrian on a pavement, causing her to lose part of her leg. He was trying to do a u-turn when his built-up shoe got caught between the accelerator and brake and he shot on to the pavement at more than 20mph.
This one has got away with a £2,500 fine and a two year ban, though the judge has extended it indefinitely on the grounds that William Peto’s age and infirmity “render him a danger to the public”.
Many people of this age simply should not be on the roads in the first place. I know that will upset a lot of people out there, but it’s a simple fact. Far too many bleeding hearts put “mobility” above safety.