Pedestrian struck, killed in crosswalk near home (FL Oldster alert)

TampaBay.com ^ | 12/28/2008 | Stephanie Garry

[devane617]

Read the comments at the end of the article. I see more comments popping up these days suggesting that government is to blame, or should have done something that would have prevented the accident.

[CindyDawg]

Sad.These accidents happen though. Are there good statistics to show a high rate involve the elderly though? I see plenty of young reckless drivers all the time.

[driftdiver]

If you’re in Florida during the winter you are stupid if you don’t watch out for folks like this.

Florida pretty much has the highest pedestrian death rates in the country.

[NonValueAdded]

I thought from the headline that it was an oldster in the crosswalk that didn’t make it in time. That is a big issue in Florida communities. Sometimes even the youngin’s have to really hoof it to make it across in time.

[devane617]

I thought it was just me that happen to notice the high ped death rate. Take a look at the Tampa papers, and you will see pedestrian death reported on US19 almost daily. I live there from 2002-2005, and I can say for a fact that watching for elderly drivers, especially in parking lots, is wise.

[fieldmarshaldj]

RIP.

[ThreePuttinDude]

The main problem with that area, (I'm there every Friday)
is the crosswalk law they have in St. Pete. No matter what,
the pedestrian has the right of way. The traffic flow in that
area usually will be doing 35 -45 miles per hour. Now try and
stop when someone steps out on the street, EXPECTING you to
come to a screeching halt in a short span. I'm surprised there
hasn't been many many more of these types of stories.

Age doesn't really come into play here. Its the mind set of the
people that cross the streets without being aware of the
surrounding traffic situation.

[hinckley buzzard]

Accidents are highest among the very young and the very old.

I know everyone here has a 90 year-old relative who is as sharp as a fighter pilot but the fact remains that 85+ year-olds seldom have the reflexes, cognitive agility or perceptual acuity to drive safely.

[devane617]

I remember talking with a grocery store manager while living there as he looked for a missing car of an elderly shopper. He said he learned quickly not bother asking the model, or color of car because he said they rarely remember. He took the key fob and clicked until he found it, or found a matching car and tried the key.

[MinuteGal]

Except in older urban areas and some subdivisions, sidewalks are hard to find in Florida.

You either walk on the side of the street, on the shoulder, or down in the weeds where the fire ants will getcha right up to your knees.

Leni

[AAABEST]

Just last week (here in FL), a relative of mine was sent to the hospital after being smashed between his parked bread truck and and car that an old lady was backing out of a parking space.

She said that she didn't see the truck, which is about the size of a small house.

Whatever the statistics tell, it is well known fact among those who live here that these old folks cause many traffic accidents, injuries and deaths in Florida because of their inability to drive safely.

If they're not capable of driving safely, they should be off the road. Period.

[TaMoDee]

YES! Pee poor drivers are there -— male, female, young,
old, mid-age or whatever!! Most pee poor drivers start out
that way —— PEE POOR from day one! Period.

[eyedigress]

I attribute bad drivers to a total dis-respect to other drivers. They ignore the task at hand and concentrate on their private business. Children that interfere with driving should have their ass whacked every time. People that don’t anticipate traffic control signals and can’t merge onto an interstate should also have their ass whacked.
(rant off)

[TaMoDee]

I agree. I hate to follow a driver that goes 30 mph
down an Interstate Hwy on ramp in order to merge with
70 mph traffic. GGGRRR!!

[Emperor Palpatine]

I wonder if the old bag could even see over the dashboard?

[CindyDawg]

So people say but are there statistics to back it up.

[Sherman Logan]

Spot on. Isn’t limited to Florida, of course. In many areas it is not possible to move about safely without being in a car. It should be possible to get around on foot or on a bike in reasonable safety.

[dbacks]

“Are there good statistics to show a high rate involve the elderly though?”

Come to the east side of Mesa, AZ in the winter. The snowbirds will scare the poop outta you. I live in a 50+ community and driving is like NASCAR at Daytona after a 6 car pileup.

I will not willingly drive from dark to 10PM (that’s time to take nighty-nite meds)!

[CindyDawg]

I had one once that was tail gaiting and blowing her horn. She passed me and I could hardly see her. I don't know how she was seeing out:')

Not trying to argue though. I know the numbers will be higher in areas higher in concentration but I just wondered if over all there is a national concern.

[brytlea]

I don’t know what the stats say, but elderly drivers out here in S FL regularly try to kill me.