Comments on: Baby Boomer News 080209

By: Kate

Kate — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 16:20:40 +0000

To think of it, I’m a baby boomer. Ouch!

I am now the assigned driver for my 92 yr old aunt. Few months back, she was upset because on a straight road, I don’t always use both hands.
The other lady at 85 had an accident in a intersection when a ‘boomer’ ran the red light. While it’s like coaching after the game is over, I gave her some pointers on safety that I gained over the years. She’s back on the road again!

By: admin

admin — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 00:35:45 +0000

Pam, thanks… and welcome aboard!

Chet

By: Pam

Pam — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 14:08:47 +0000

I love your other blogs, this one looks good too! Please sign me up!

By: admin

admin — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 23:32:22 +0000

Dorothy, thanks for your good post.

I visited NYC for one day many years ago when I was trying to sell my first novel, and it was a wonderful experience, but I don’t think I’m constitutionally capable of living in an environment that busy and that crowded.

I might have managed back then as a young man, but as an aging boomer, I’m even starting to dislike low traffic driving here in the little city of 20,000 where we live.

I guess most people are alike no matter where they live because it’s rare these days to drive anywhere without seeing multiple people flapping their mouths into their cell phones. From the look in their eyes, it’s apparent to me that most of them aren’t concentrating at all on their driving.

Scary, especially for an old geek like me. I’ve dreamed since 1963 when I first started driving of getting killed by some drunk in a head-on collision. These days the drunk has been replaced by some fool babbling into a cell phone.

Anyway, I’ll let loose with my real rant on cell phones one of these days. I’m in too good of a mood to write it today. Not enough bile in me.

Thanks again for commenting and moving this discussion along.

Chet

By: Dorothy

Dorothy — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 14:21:38 +0000

Being the first time I read your blog, I really enjoyed reading the info and will make reading it a habit. I was really happy to see that you will address the cell phone issue. It is such a problem. I live in NYC and it is incredible to see how many drivers(especially out of state drivers) are talking on their cells while trying to get around the city. The worst are Mom’s like myself, who have young children in the car. How irresponsible! What can be so important that you can not pull over for a few minutes and keep your family safe.
And we New Yorkers as well as other city dwellers need to take some responsibility for what we allow. Most of the Taxi drivers spend the day on their cells and although some do have ear pieces, this is a behavior we should not stand for. Even though I usually take public transportation, when I need to take a taxi I always tell the driver that, as I never talk on the cell when I am driving my car, I would appreciate it that they would not and if they have a problem with that I will get out or at least not tip (which I do feel bad about not doing). We often accept bad behavior because we don’t want to embarrass someone or be embarrassed, but after someone is hurt it is too late. Talking with an ear piece puts one equally at risk, when a Taxi driver is suppose to be working and not socializing. When we are in our offices or wherever we work, we don’t have permission from our employers to have an ear piece in our ears and be constantly talking to family or friends. We would be fired!!!!

So looking forward to more info from you on this. Love all your info.

Dorothy

By: admin

admin — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 13:59:53 +0000

Jean, hey! I’m glad to see you here on the blog.

As a generalization, I think aging boomers are safer to be around on the roads than those who are coming up behind us. Except for the boomers who have their cell phones plastered to their ears every time they get behind the wheel of an automobile. The research confirms the common sense feeling that it’s dumb and dangerous to drive while talking on a cell phone. I need to write a rant on this topic because it’s one I feel strongly about, both from safety and aesthetic points of view!

I saw on the news last night a story that shows around age 65 people start getting into more fatal automobile accidents. The graph curve starts rising dramatically at that age, peaking in the 80′s, where it’s almost off the chart and where 85 year old boomers have as many fatal accidents as 16.5 year old teeners, the apparently greatest at risk set of drivers.

Anyway, thanks again for joining the blog. I hope you’ll comment and rant away and have some fun writing whenever you feel like it. That’s what this thing is for!

Chet

By: Jean

Jean — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 13:35:26 +0000

Hi Chet, Been reading your emails for years and love them. Also like your new blog. As a boomer (54) and a rider, I found the accident stats really interesting. 39% are 52 or older but only account for 30% of accidents. 28% are 42 to 51 and have 25% of accidents. Sounds more dangerous to me. That leaves 33% under 42 to have 45% of the accidents. Looks like a seriously endangered age group. Hey, it’s great to be 54 and riding!