BusinessWeek magazine asked a few years ago, “Do older drivers pose a greater risk to others, and what can we do to accommodate them?” Of course they pose a greater risk – they can no longer drive. If they were old and could still drive, they would not be part of the problem, they’d just be another driver. And, why would we accommodate older drivers who can’t drive but continue to do so? We need to be staying out of their way until they stay off the road.

These fossilized drivers are someone’s relative, their driving keeps them independent, insert some more pointless reasons why they should be out on the roads attempting to kill me. These elderly motor vehicle operators (actually quarter-operators) are as much a threat as someone with a gun intent on doing me harm. You shouldn’t carry a firearm if you cannot competently use it, just as you should not be behind the wheel of a motor vehicle if you are not competent to drive it.  

Ancient, incompetent drivers do not know where they are or what they are doing. That means you have an increased need to pay attention to their erratic actions and incomprehensible behavior. You shouldn’t use defensive driving, instead be an active driver. Realize that you are invisible to the old and feeble. Horns and lights will have no warning effect. Unless a collision disables their vehicle, the aged will likely keep right on going, even with dents in their car, steam coming from under the hood and flat tires. If they happen to stop and get out of their car, they’ll forget where they are and wander into moving traffic or fall off the road surface into a ditch.

Watch for signs that you’re near this kind of driver. They’ll go excessively slower than the speed limit. Abruptly stop or turn. Stop during a turn. Stop after a turn. Stop, don’t turn, then take off. Drive in the wrong lanes, closed lanes or on the road’s shoulder. Back into or through objects. Turn or run into objects that most rational people would notice, like concrete walls or concrete trucks. If you see any of this behavior, don’t be defensive and wait to react, drive actively. Get away from the old fart before you end up in a wreck. You’re driving, so drive. Use your own fast reflexes and driving skills to get maximum distance between you and that driver.