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12-year-old killed in Napa motorcycle crash
A 12-year-old boy was killed when the motorcycle he and his father were riding on was struck by a vehicle on Silverado Trail. JL Sousa/Register | Buy photos
1:45 p.m.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
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By MARSHA DORGAN
Napa Valley Register
The 12-year-old boy involved in a car versus motorcycle accident early Friday morning on Silverado Trail has died.

Eduardo Palafox was a passenger on a motorcycle driven by his father, Jose Cruz Palafox-lona, 32.
The crash happened around 7 a.m., on the Trail at Ashlar Drive.

The motorcycle was northbound on the Trail. A Subaru, driven by Marilyn Heinricher, 90, of Napa turned left from Ashlar Drive onto the Trail and collided with the motorcycle, police said
The boy was thrown from the motorcycle and through the driver’s window of the Subaru, police said.

Paramedics performed CPR on the boy at the scene. He was taken to Queen of the Valley Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 7:40 a.m.
Heinricher and the driver of the motorcycle suffered minor injuries.

The father and son were wearing helmets. However, the boy’s helmet was found resting on a tree near a creek,  just north of Ashlar Drive.

The cause of the crash is under investigation. The accident reconstruction team is investigating if Heinricher failed to yield the right of way, police said.

The Trail was closed from Hagen Road to Lincoln Avenue for about five hours.
71 comment(s)

misfit wrote on Mar 21, 2008 9:54 AM:

" If we have laws that require that our children are strapped into a seatbelt while riding in a car, what then makes it okay for them to ride on the back of a motorcycle?
This is very poor judgement on the part of the the motorcycle driver. "

napapop wrote on Mar 21, 2008 11:00 AM:

" I don't believe it was poor judgement at all. We don't know all the facts of what happened, so lets not pass judgement until we do. The article doesn't say how old the child was, if he was wearing a helmet, if there was speeding involved, or if someone pulled in front of somebody. Let's wait to know the facts, and above all else, pray for everyone involved! "

14obama wrote on Mar 21, 2008 12:18 PM:

" Hey Misfit! What do you suggest,a law for everything imaginable ? Sometimes things just go that way ! You keep thinking like that and there will be NO freedom left! Life doesn't promise us an accident free existance ! When your time is up,it's UP ! Laws can't change that ! They were having a great time,so lighten up ! Enough laws,already ! Sounds like you can't wipe your own ...! "

jessiejames wrote on Mar 21, 2008 12:31 PM:

" My heart goes out to the boy's family.
As a parent of an Alta Heights's student it has been a rough year. Having to explain situations like this to my child has been one of the hardest things I have ever done in my life. My prayers go out to all the parties involved... "

jessiejames wrote on Mar 21, 2008 12:34 PM:

" My heart goes out to the boy's family.
As a parent of an Alta Heights's student it has been a rough year. Having to explain situations like this to my child has been one of the hardest things I have ever done in my life. My prayers go out to all the parties involved... "

napamomma wrote on Mar 21, 2008 12:54 PM:

" absolutely tragic, my heart goes out to all who is affected by the death of this child. "

14obama wrote on Mar 21, 2008 12:57 PM:

" 90 and Still driving ? She probably didn't ,even,see them ! That's sad !
God bless the young man and his dad !
He's in the hands of an All Loving God. My prayers to them,both. "

missa wrote on Mar 21, 2008 12:59 PM:

" my heart goes out to the family, that is terrible. Another reason why driving should have age limits. Elderly people driving scares me. "

missa wrote on Mar 21, 2008 1:01 PM:

" the little boy was 12 and the article states "The father and son were wearing helmets. However, the boy’s helmet was found resting on a tree near a creek, just north of Ashlar Drive." I disagree with you misfit, perhaps this was their means of transportation???
"

Two Cents wrote on Mar 21, 2008 1:38 PM:

" Misfit.. what a horribly insensitive thing to say.
If I had to place bets on blame, it would be on the 90 year old lady still driving, not a father & son out enjoying a beautiful day, both wearing the appropriate helmets required by law.
"

JimClark wrote on Mar 21, 2008 1:47 PM:

" As a motorcycle enthusiast, I have come to develop a healthy paranoia of automobile drivers. Too many of them are looking out for other cars. I remember my closest opportunity to meet an early demis on Brown Street. The woman was deeply apologetic that she pulled out in front of me saying, "I didn't see you".
My only thought at the time that shae mave soiled her seat. "

CINDY wrote on Mar 21, 2008 1:49 PM:

" My heart goes out to the family and to the little old ladie that caused this. I'm sure she didn't do this on purpose. And as for you Misfit. How dare you blame the father for such a horrific thing. I myself dont like motorcyles either for anyone but that father is probably giving himself enough blame for you or anybody else. I have lost a child myself to a different type of accident and I just imagine what he must be thinking but as for 14obama that person is right when your time is up, its up nothing can change that. Thank God that he is there to comfort those all involved. I just hope everyone turns to him for such comfort as well as family and friends for support. "

GregN. wrote on Mar 21, 2008 1:50 PM:

" Misfit, your thinking is absolutely below par.

Why would you want a seat-belt on a motorcycle. So when the bike goes down, the perso gets dragged along with the bike? HAHA!

Maybe we should just put doors and a top on motor cycles! Jeez, they should make that the law right away! What do you think Misfit? "

richaelsmommie wrote on Mar 21, 2008 1:51 PM:

" This eldery lady might of night seen them. My prayers and thoughts are with this family at the hard time. The fact that the helmet was away from where they got hit is just a prime example of what the impact did. Come on people when your hit things fly and they can fly far away from where the timocat hit. God ill be with this family through everything. GOD BLESS YOU ALL!!!!! "

diehard4ever wrote on Mar 21, 2008 2:17 PM:

" A terrible tragedy indeed. My prayers and thoughts go out to all the people involved. May God keep them in his heart. "

AThought wrote on Mar 21, 2008 2:43 PM:

" My thoughts go out to the family, but too many injuries and accidents, if not deaths, occur because of motorcycle accidents, let alone careless or wreckless drivers. Many people have died in Napa due to motorcycle or vehicle accidents.
It should be made a law that teenagers/adults cannot ride on or drive a motorcycle until they are 21. They should drive a car first. Although I do not like motorcycles, many do, and this type of law should be enforced- for age 21 to drive motorcycles. And, also, drivers need to be aware of pedestrians, other cars, AND motorcycles. "

Skip M. wrote on Mar 21, 2008 2:44 PM:

" Napapop: The article starts off with "The 12-year-old boy involved in a car versus motorcycle accident" and goes on to say "The father and son were wearing helmets. However, the boy’s helmet was found resting on a tree near a creek". It would seem pretty clear to me on both the age of the boy and that his helmet was likely not securely fastened. I must agree though, that given the severe restrictions on how and where a child can ride in a automobile, and the fact that we no longer allow anyone to ride in the back of a pickup truck, why would we allow kids on the backs of motorcycles at all. This incident is tragic on all fronts, and only the most callous among us would not feel some compassion for all parties involved. But the question remains, why the disparity in the law? "

Skip M. wrote on Mar 21, 2008 2:53 PM:

" 14Obama: Every once in a while you sound just like a conservative with stuff like "Life doesn't promise us an accident free existance". You are absolutely right, there are too many laws trying to protect us from ourselves. This also goes to what I said about not being able to ride in the back of a pickup any more. I never knew anyone killed or injured riding in the back of a truck. I personally know several that have been killed or seriously and permanently injured on a motor cycle. I also believe that this is just how things go some times. I work close to an air strip, an airplane could come crashing through my office wall as I am writing this. If that happens, that is just the way life goes. If you read this post, you can assume my office is still intact and I am still alive. "

Common Sense wrote on Mar 21, 2008 2:59 PM:

" Please, people. Quit trying to ban everything. Taking this poor kid's tragic death and turning it in to an argument for a liberal nanny state is horrendous. "

skiph wrote on Mar 21, 2008 3:05 PM:

" That is a very difficult area. With bends in the road at either end and cars usually speeding, it can be scary trying to make a left. Unfortunately, throw in 90 years old and it turns from difficult to inevitable. How could her family still let her drive at that age? "

opiniagirl wrote on Mar 21, 2008 3:41 PM:

" Geez - my heart breaks for these families involved! Let's not make any assumptions, I'm sure NVR will update us if blame is to be assigned to anyone! For now, lets soften our hearts and pray that these families heal from this tragedy. "

funnyme wrote on Mar 21, 2008 4:17 PM:

" What a horrible tragedy.
Unfortunatelly it does happen; wrong place at the wrong time, your number is up, a mistake, who knows? I can't even begin to imagine the pain, guilt and suffering embeded in these people's hearts that will accompany them forever. May God be with you ALL! "

4gnapan wrote on Mar 21, 2008 6:11 PM:

" My Condolences to the familys involved.

Being a Rider myself, this cuts close. This particular area is one I frequently ride through, and Ashlar is easily missed, and visibility around the bend from Ashlar is not good. Laying blame anywhere is useless. A child is dead. I hope those involved can get through the pain and move on with thier lives eventually. "

donaldb wrote on Mar 21, 2008 6:27 PM:

" even though a child shouldn't have been on a motorcycle,i believe that at 90 yrs of age you should not be driving,period! "

kdbk wrote on Mar 21, 2008 8:06 PM:

" Those of you who said we should not assume too much right now have a good point. Nevertheless, of all the things one could form an assumption about, I'm thinking that one takes precedence. THERE WAS A 90 YEAR OLD PERSON DRIVING A CAR. Certainly there are those rare exceptions, but come on people. You gotta wonder about the competence and overall capacity of any 90 year old person to safely drive a car around town.
This should not call in to question my intense belief in personal freedoms at all. As someone who grew up on the back, and later on the front, of many a motorcycle, I cringe at how dangerous it can be and how lucky I was a lot of times. But I'd hesitate a long time on legislating cycles and who can be on them. I'd rather be totally sure that all 90 year old people are being rigirously examined for their ability to drive safely. "

misfit wrote on Mar 21, 2008 8:07 PM:

" Excuse me. I am not generally so judgmental regarding these types of tragedies. My first comment was made earlier this morning, before the child had died. It is indeed a tragedy and my heart goes out to the family and I'm certain the father is going through a most excruciating time. I cannot even imagine that kind of pain...well, maybe I can and it makes me shudder. It is this very type of reaction to these kinds of stories that causes me to think about the completely paranoid mother (and now grandmother) that I am. My comment about the father not using good judgment was not in good judgment on my part. I guess it was because I fear so much and almost see things happening that kept me from ever allowing my kids to ride a motorcycle and certainly, I never could have allowed them on the back of one. Not everyone is like that, I understand.
However, to GregN, my point was not to put seat belts on motorcycles dufus!
Certainly you had to be kidding...I hope. My point was in the irony of the laws in this country that are inconsistent and arbitrary.
I worked in the O.R. for many years and have seen too many results of motorcycle accidents where helmets had been worn and not worn. What came of that law was, if the rider had not died of internal injuries or their head injuries, they had to look forward to a life suffering with extensive brain damage. The helmet doesn't really guarantee anything and I still believe that an adult should know that it's the other guy they cannot trust regardless of how much body armor is worn. "

russ wrote on Mar 21, 2008 8:59 PM:

" Motorcyclists are always at risk of a driver's error. This was a high price to pay and the father will pay the price forever. I choose not to take the risk! "

vocal-de-local wrote on Mar 21, 2008 9:21 PM:

" That twelve year old probably had the time of his life riding on the back of his dad's motorcycle. Life is sometimes short and sweet.

This is also a tragic event for the 90 year old who was probably just trying to remain as independent for as long as possible.

Life does not guarantee you will make it from birth to old age. I hope this 12 year old felt the wind on his face and the warmth of the sun on his cheek before he traveled to wherever it is we go in the afterlife. The risk of living is dying. Life is unpredictable but it doesn't mean you should stop living it. "

vocal-de-local wrote on Mar 21, 2008 9:36 PM:

" Skip M...speaking of riding in the back of a pick up. I remember a story from my brother, now age 50. He was about 14 and my sister and her boyfriend were driving down some curvy rural roads because they like to, well, have adventures of all kinds. My brother was knocked out of the back and rolled down the hillside a bit. My older sister and her boyfriend were oblivious and just kept driving. My brother regained his composure and ran down the hillside and jumped into the back of the pickup truck, like clockwork, because the bend of the road curved back to the point where he was running down the steep incline. He could have tripped and been in the woods for maybe the entire night. This was near Armstrong Groves at the Russian River. My childhood is filled with tales like that. We had a great deal of freedom, for better or worse, but I do not regret it. If I had a choice between living a short adventurous life or a long boring life, guess which one I would take? "

bettye wrote on Mar 21, 2008 10:28 PM:

" I am considered elderly ( I don't THINK "elderly" !! ) 71 years old ..I have often said that I think all of us over 70 should have to take a driving test to get our liscense renewed ..I am very willing to do that as I would hate for my reflexes to fail me and cause an accident.. That being said ..I have wondered about the motorcycle riders who zip past us in the middle of the hiway ,on the divider strip.. is that legal ? It is scary for one to go right between 2 cars doing 50 miles an hour or more. I know that isn't what caused this horrible wreck but I do wish some one would address this issue ..there are way too many people killed on motorcycles.. My husband and son both rode them and I am happy to say they never had an accident ..Lucky, I guess.. "

russ wrote on Mar 21, 2008 10:42 PM:

" From my experience, teenagers, especially girls on their cell phones are more dangerous drivers than 90 year olds. Check the insurance rates. "

LMW wrote on Mar 21, 2008 11:08 PM:

" Let us remind ourselves the pain the family is taking on....send our condolences and remember a family can not hear.....only the voice of the child they lost today...So let us just send prayers and comments for another page........ "

opiniagirl wrote on Mar 21, 2008 11:31 PM:

" I have a patient who is 106 and she would put most drivers I know to shame. To insinuate that this woman must be at fault because she was 90 is simply not fair. I work in a business that deals primarily with the elderly and off the top of my head I can name about 15 people that I personally know over the age of 90 that I would let my kids ride with in the car. Ease up people...respect our elderly and refrain form taking a position until we have more information! "

starling wrote on Mar 22, 2008 2:41 AM:

" My heart goes out to the poor family of this child. Personally, I don't think anyone can claim irresponsibility on the father's part. This child was 12 years old which is old enough for a simple ride down a low speed street and was also wearing a helmet. Even without knowing all the circumstances, I believe the fault lies solely with the 90 year old woman. A left turn driver is ALWAYS at fault in an accident when not at a light. I was told this from an attorney I had when I was clobbered by a left turn driver also and makes sense when you think about it. Also, 90 years old??? Come on people, I have known alot of 80-90 year old people in my day and not one of them would I feel totally confident about their driving skills. I have had a cousin and a best friend killed and seriously injured by 80 something year old drivers and even been hit myself by a 83 year old man that hadn't even realized he had just caved in the left side of my car! "

valligirl wrote on Mar 22, 2008 6:31 AM:

" It is truly a tragedy that an innocent person has to be killed before a 90 year old's driver's license is revoked. Give me a break! I hope she has a million dollar insurance policy for the victims. "

valleygal wrote on Mar 22, 2008 6:52 AM:

" I have been scrolling through these comments for the last couple of days, breaks my heart that any of us can have an opinion other than the whole thing is very tragic.
"

nanner wrote on Mar 22, 2008 7:27 AM:

" My heart goes out to the family of the 12 year old. & to vocal-de-local you hit the nail on the head. Life is to short not to live it to the fullest. & to Bettye driving up between two cars is called lane splitting & yes it is legal. "

IRONMAN wrote on Mar 22, 2008 8:03 AM:

" Ok people all this back and forth stuff come on the OLD lady is 90 years OLD she should have been no way driving a car. 90 years OLD A 3000 pound car = DEATH to someone. Just a shame it had to be someone whos life had just started. The 90 year old had a chance to live a FULL life. Now to the stuipeditty of the DMV let to OLD people drive we have lost a fine young man. SHAME ON YOU DMV. If she was a young lady she would be facing a long court prosess. what are they going to do to a 90 year OLD. NOTHING!!!! That Blows my mind. RIP young man. "

skippert wrote on Mar 22, 2008 8:35 AM:

" At some point you must stop driving. I know some old people are stuborn, but they have got to be stopped. My heart goes out to the family. I think we should also think about kids being on motorcycles? "

newshound wrote on Mar 22, 2008 8:46 AM:

" I am so sorry for everyone involved, especially for the parents and loved ones of the boy who lost his life. Life can bring tragic loss in the blink of an eye. Hug your kids, tell them you love them. "

valligirl wrote on Mar 22, 2008 9:29 AM:

" You are right Ironman, killing someone with your car is a misdemeanor vehicle code violation and nothing much will happen. I know another family who lost their 16 year old the same way in 2000. A drivers license is a privilege, not a right, and requires personal responsibility, which was clearly missing here. "

Skip M. wrote on Mar 22, 2008 9:36 AM:

" Vocal-de-Local: I know the place you are referring to. But, my comment was not intended to imply that no one ever got hurt riding in the back of a pickup. People get hurt falling in the shower. However, I do not PERSONALLY know any of them. I do PERSONALLY know MANY who have died and been permanently disfigured or crippled in motor cycle accidents. So, my comment was not to demonstrate any certainty of safety in any situation, but to illustrate the odds of a given situation. The odds of someone winning the lottery are extremely low (not talking about the booby prizes of a few dollars here or there), and I do not PERSONALLY know anyone who has. However, some have hit the jackpot in that contest. I do know many, many people who have won a game of Chess. It’s all about the odds. Thousands of airline flights reach their destinations without incident, but four were boarded by a few nut job radicals and flown into the World Trade Center, Pentagon, and a field in Pennsylvania. The odds of a plane being taken be a terrorist are extremely low. But we still nearly strip search anyone who wishes to fly. I think we go way overboard with regulating nearly every aspect of life, to the point that it becomes only existence. My comment was really meant to illustrate the disparity in our laws, and in part support the point Misfit was making. We strap kids in car seats in an environment where they are already protected by a steal box, but have precious little regulation for a situation where they are completely exposed to the elements (natural and man-made). "

reason-ator wrote on Mar 22, 2008 11:27 AM:

" AThought has the right idea, but the wrong perspective.
I think anyone who drives a car should drive a motorcycle for a year first. That would give motorists an idea of what a hazard auto drivers are. The drivers would be more aware of everything around them and the world would be a safer place.
And tell misfit that there should be a helmet law for auto drivers to protect everybody equally. "

glenroy wrote on Mar 22, 2008 11:41 AM:

" Misfit...I agree riding on a motorcycle on a public street isn’t the place for children of any age. It’s a tragedy that should serve to warm parents from adding unnecessary additional risks..I was hit so many times on my MC that I had to give up riding and every ‘accident’ involved someone who didn’t seem me traveling the legal speed...tragedy....

"

winemd wrote on Mar 22, 2008 11:55 AM:

" My husband takes my kids (11 and 9) out occasionally for short "putts", but I have to confess that I am nervous the whole time. I showed him the paper this morning. On a motorcycle, you can do everything right and bad things are more likely to happen than if you are in a car. I don't think I would add legislation, though.

I feel so badly for all involved. The father and the driver must both feel terrible! I know bad drivers of all ages, and I know people whose moment of inattention caused accidents, so I am waiting to find out more details of what happened. "

Selim wrote on Mar 22, 2008 12:01 PM:

" This whole tragic episode really highlights the need for the DMV to start enforcing mandatory re-testing for seniors. While the verdict isn't in on the cause of the accident, I've personally witnessed (and been involved in) too many traffic incidents where older folks were simply operating under severely diminished capacities and were flat-out at fault. I've even seen an elderly woman at the DMV get to the front of the line and then say "Oh...I"ve forgotten why I'm here..." and then see the DMV clerk renew her license. Of course, when she drove away, she went the wrong way in a one-way lane. This is fact, not fiction, and it's not "hate" or disrespect to elders: it's simply a public safety issue.

It is not an unreasonable statement to say that as people get older, their reaction time, alertness, hearing, and vision deteriorate. It is also a fact that automobile accidents kill more people than anything else. So is it too much to ask to have everyone over, say, 70 retested every 2 years (especially with all the baby boomers becoming granny boomers)? Driving is a privilege, folks. Of course, the political strength of the AARP will likely prevent anything so clear-headed and pragmatic from happening, but we can get the ideas out there. "

sena75 wrote on Mar 22, 2008 1:23 PM:

" 90 year olds should NOT be driving!!!! Perhaps the father and son were using the motorcycle as transportation because it is cheaper on gas! This is truely a tragic situation that has struck a key deep within me! My thoughts and prayers go out to the Palafox family. People everywhere need to be aware that there are motorcycles on the road and we (car/truck drivers) need to be as aware of them as they are of us. "

napasfinest wrote on Mar 22, 2008 3:18 PM:

" This is so sad. I can't imagine how the old woman must feel. What a tragedy. "

anotherguyinnapa wrote on Mar 22, 2008 3:33 PM:

" The old lady's family should have filled out DMV form DS 699 a long time ago. The form is to "reevaluabe a driver's ability to drive safely." It looks like anyone can fill one out, but family members can fill them out anonymously. The form is available here (a government website):
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/forms/ds/ds699.pdf

So if you know someone too old to drive, stop complaining in the blogs and do something useful: fill out form DS 699 for them! There's even a list of checkboxes for specific kinds of "bad" driver behavior, including "turns in front of on-coming cars." "

tomhansen wrote on Mar 22, 2008 6:14 PM:

" The Silverado Trail is a very dangerous road. Speeds are very great and limits are ignored. It is an archaic state highway as well. In general, many people don't drive very well in the bay area.
Additionally, some people are shot by age 40, others are in good shape despite their number of recorded years on this Earth. "

vocal-de-local wrote on Mar 23, 2008 12:47 AM:

" Skip, my point was more focused on how we tend to regulate everything and in doing so, we take some joy out of life. On the other hand we should exercise common sense. yes, my brother today gets a kick out of telling that story and at the time the ordeal was probably a thrill. But the joy would have quickly faded had brain injury been the consequence!

Your comment does make me wonder if motorcycles are a good option for children, though. And yes, our laws are certainly inconsistent. I think when it comes to children, we do have to create regulations for the benefit of their safety.

Adults are old enough to make most decisions for themselves. Unfortunately, many injuries which are caused by risk taking behavior are dispersed as higher insurance rates and taxes for all consumers. (Please note: I am not implying that the father involved in this accident was a risk taker). I suppose that's one reason we end out with regulations. Motorcyclists typically do not cause fatalities to other drivers though. Maybe that explains the inconsistency in how they are regulated?

"

tomhansen wrote on Mar 23, 2008 6:02 AM:

" Hello all. To assume it's the automobile drivers fault is bizarre.
Take a ride by that spot and see where the contact was made. I've driven that stretch of the road for decades and seen drivers use that middle left turn lane as a freeway #1 lane. i.e. The *Fast Lane.* I've actually had a local Mercedes Benz pass me on the curve where the new sewage pumping station is/has been under construction. I also know that stretch of road has been *under construction.* due to the construction of the new pumping station about a thousand feet north of the tragic accident. That was last summer.
I feel terribly for the poor man piloting the motorcycle. The article states he worked on Hagen road for two years. If this is an accurate statement, he (the motorcycle rider/driver) surely has passed through there during the accompanying road closure and construction period which was to officially have ended in December 2007. There were construction signs everywhere for months. For miles along *The Trail.* Ashlar drive feeds into *The Trail* at the bottom of a blind curve so it's imperative for northbound traffic to slow as they ascend that hill and blind curve. I doubt there is accurate *signage* to warn northbound drivers to slow and use extreme caution. And even if there were such warning signs, would drivers obey or even pay attention to them? Hmmmmm......
ps
I have some friends who reside on the northern leg of *The Trail* near Chimney Rock. Their family refers to the highway as *blood alley,* due to the number of accidents they have seen from their kitchen window. It is an inherently dangerous winding 2 lane undivided road. "

tomhansen wrote on Mar 23, 2008 6:15 AM:

" " You are right Ironman, killing someone with your car is a misdemeanor vehicle code violation and nothing much will happen.

This quote is interesting. I suppose you could state the vehicle *had been southbound on the Silverado Trail when a speeding motorcycle came through the windshield of a drivers vehicle* and the abopve quote would not exist. My eighth grade journalism teacher told the class one day, *don't believe anything based solely because it is printed on paper.* i.e. Accurate reporting(?)
"

Normbc9 wrote on Mar 23, 2008 6:59 AM:

" While some are defending aging driveras I have only one remark to make. Age of the driver may be an issue and I have immediate family residing in a state where all drivers over 70 report every two years to the DMV for a performance test with both a brake and steering reaction test which is timed in micro seconds and also a visual acuity test with a 3 D screen. If they don't pass the license is not renewed. California had been get into the 21st Century with regards to evaluations of aging drivers. "

blammo wrote on Mar 23, 2008 7:23 PM:

" To anotherguyinnapa: thanks for posting that link to the DMV website. My grandmother was one of those elderly people that pulled in front of other cars, changed lanes without seeing other cars, etc.... I took her license away from her. Then I caught her driving her car anyway because she had to get to the hair salon. So I sold her car and put the money in her bank account. No car, no driving. We are supposed to take care of our children, but in today's society when people are living into their 80s and 90s, it is time to take care of our elders as well. Don't let them drive if you believe they are a danger on the road.

And to tomhansen: It doesn't matter if the motorcycle was in the middle lane or not, nor does their speed matter. If you make a left turn in front of someone who is a potential "hazard" it is your fault. Check the California Vehicle Code on that one. "

IRONMAN wrote on Mar 24, 2008 8:39 AM:

" I agree to the MAX with blammo you have to take care of elders like they were once again kids. Take a second to think about it. R.I.P YOUNG MAN. "

psychochik wrote on Mar 24, 2008 9:57 AM:

" Well, if he was riding too fast coming over that grade there is no way the lady could have reacted quick enough. 90 of 25, it wouldnt matter if someone came zipping through.

We are all so quick to place judgement on someone because of their age yet no one looks at the fact that the road has a bend and a grade and NO ONE slows down when approaching it. I think if they made it a no left turn zone on those streets a lot of incidents could be avoided.

I feel horrible for all involved but lets think with an open mind and being so judgmental until we hear back from the accident reconstructionists. "

napaao wrote on Mar 24, 2008 1:35 PM:

" People over the age of 75 should NOT have a drivers license!! period. I almost got t-boned by an elder lady at a 4-way stop, it was clearly my turn though. Please people just slow and and look twice. "

napaao wrote on Mar 24, 2008 1:43 PM:

" I pray for the family, i am sorry for the loss of your 12 year old son! he had so much more of a life to live, the angels will take care of him now. RIP. "

psychochik wrote on Mar 24, 2008 2:02 PM:

" I dont think we should say someone of such and such age shouldnt have a license period. I think if someone, no matter their age can prove, through written and driven tests that they are worthy of having their license then let them.

I know people of all ages that shouldnt have a license and its not limited to 70 and over. There are plenty of people my age (29) that should not have ever recieved their licenses.

People just dont take the time anymore, they are in such a rush to get places that they forget other people exist on the road.

As a rider I am well versed in taking every precaution while on the road, why cant others do the same ?? Put down the latte, get off the phone and pay attention. It could be your own life of the life of someone you know you may save. "

Skip M. wrote on Mar 24, 2008 3:01 PM:

" Psycochik: I have one for you I saw just yesterday morning. A young lady (by appearance, under 25) driving down the road, a bowl of cereal in one hand, and a spoon in the other (no hands on the wheel). I honked my horn and yelled at her to get her hands on the wheel. She nearly side swiped me in the process. I hope she spilled her cereal. "

vocal-de-local wrote on Mar 25, 2008 11:53 AM:

" psychochik, you stated, "It could be your own life of the life of someone you know you may save." Perhaps this is the problem. We drive vehicles and most everyone we pass by are strangers to us. In bygone "Before car" days, we frequently interacted with strangers where every person told a story. Nowadays, I'm afraid, we tend to view vehicles and the people inside them as "objects".

People of any age continuously play Russian Roulette while driving. I've seen it a hundred times, and I will admit it's more frequent in populations who have lost their visual/auditory acuity. Such individuals need to "care" enough for the welfare of strangers by enrolling in adaptation training or by removing themselves from risk taking behaviors which affect others.

In our self serving world we should be concerned for people "beyond" our familiarity with them, especially while steering a lethal weapon.

"

make napa better wrote on Mar 26, 2008 1:21 AM:

" 90 and DRIVING!! I think about 70 they should yank them regardless. And 70 is being nice!! "

tomhansen wrote on Mar 26, 2008 2:24 PM:

" Ask anyone who drives for hours daily during the course of their job.the general populace do crazy things in the course of driving or riding a motor(ized) vehicle, including traveling too quickly for road conditions.
These rules were always stressed when I was *coming up.* The DMV made these previously mentioned recommendations.
(a) Don't insist on being given the right of way.
(b) Don't travel faster than is safe for road conditions.

If I recall correctly, just a few years ago a couple, possibly three, *older* folks were run over and killed by seemingly distracted relatively young people.
A driver cannot yield to another properly if the other driver appears very very quickly due to their speeding.
"

tomhansen wrote on Mar 27, 2008 6:36 AM:

" Lane sharing being legal in this state (CA) for motorcycles has always baffled me. Motorcyclists need to always expect the unexpected.
I"ve managed to survive unscathed legally riding a motorcycle since the late 60's. Years ago, I too, lost friends on *bikes.*
I feel lucky, although, I always rode conservatively.
I told my parents way back that I always presumed that auto drivers *couldn't see* me. I think that helped me to ride for so long and remain uninjured for the duration. I always had my light on too, day or night.
God Bless. "

tomhansen wrote on Mar 27, 2008 6:46 AM:

" Age is just number. Heredity and environment make up what one is. My job takes me to meet different people from all walks of life, nationalities and ages.
As I said before, some are wiped out before fifty years of age or sooner. Then there are others who are getting along just fine, despite their particular year count.
One younger person told me once that *she could never be retired.* When I delved further, her remark continued that*she could never just sit in a rocking chair all day.*(?)
It makes me wonder about some peoples attitudes. "

suze wrote on Mar 27, 2008 9:51 AM:

" This is so sad and my sympathies are with both parties. However, I do remember a few years ago, an old geezer pulled right out in front of me on the Silverado Trail while I was breezing along at around 50mph. There was no incident luckily, the guy behind me also had his eye on traffic and also reacted quickly. But the old guy had either forgotten to look, or his eyesight was poor, maybe both. Speeding in town is asking for trouble, so many vehicles stopping, turning and pulling out. I just hope the motorcycle was not speeding. "

jakeass wrote on Mar 27, 2008 11:03 AM:

" There's a lot of white hairs rollin' in Nappy Town who're too DAMED OLD to drive. In the future they will have white haired companion robots to do their driving for them, paid for by your taxes, of course. Your grandchildren will be working three jobs to pay for their medical care, but the white hairs won't even notice or care: too doped up on seratonin reuptake inhibitors and pain killers (free from the state, of course). Ain't life grand? "

bryjag1965 wrote on Mar 28, 2008 4:38 PM:

" The fact that we allow people to drive over 70 years old without more limits,tests and other safeguards to keep us safe is shameful. Now Im sure we have all seen more than our share of the elderly driving absolutely horrifyingly, and come close to more than a few wrecks. Cmon how many people have to die at the hands of people who many times cant remember left from right. Im not saying this to be mean, its just scary, and no tests will really make it safe, after all just exactly when does someone lose reaction time? or Direction? well? more than a few will read this and be upset with my words, but you know what? wake up!! is it worth the risk?? "

tomhansen wrote on Mar 31, 2008 7:09 AM:

" I was northbound on 121 (Silverado Trail) at the pictured area last Saturday and a motrorcycle passed me as soon as the *left turn lane* appeared. In other words, the northbound motorcycle right behind me used this lane as a passing lane. Had there been a southbound car in the left turn lane going to make a left onto East Avenue, the two would've collided head on. Having lived off of Monticello Road for decades, this is not the first time I've encountered such driving. "

bettye wrote on Apr 6, 2008 9:36 PM:

" I blogged earlier and stated that I felt people over 70 should be given a driving test to renew their license ..( I am over 70 and feel very capable of dring safely ) but I still think we should be tested.. But in thinking about this , I wondered how many of you who have voiced strong opinions in this "elderly driving " blog , are going to vote for this ELDERLY man for President ?? I personaly think he is TOO old to serve in that capacity.. If we need to watch our drivers ..why not our politicians ?? "

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