i'm bored

Saturday, January 28, 2012

We need to update our Drivers' Licensing process for the elderly

Today I watched an elderly man in a very large car drive past two DO NOT ENTER signs and a NO LEFT TURN sign to enter a very busy parking circle. I entered the circle the correct way--at the entrance--and when he approached me head-on, he just stopped, not knowing what to do. I approached. I signaled that he should turn around. I waited. He didn't move. I waited some more. He is about 112, so I figure I can give him a minute or two to find reverse. He backs up about 4 feet and stops. I wait some more. He does nothing.

He was in a wide spot in the circle, so I pulled up next to him, about 4 feet away. He rolled down his window. His wife was in the passenger seat, looking a bit horrified and wearing the most awful wig. I said, "Sir, you drove past two ... " He interrupted me and said, "What?" in what sounded like a New York accent.

I didn't want to shout because we were surrounded by people on foot, but he left me with little choice.

I said again, pointing at the exit, "Sir, you drove past two DO NOT ENTER signs. You're going the wrong way."

He said, rather defiantly, "There's nothing there."

I said, "Yes, there is. There are two DO NOT ENTER signs that you drove right past. And, a NO LEFT TURN sign."

Shrugging his shoulders, he said, "Well what do you want me to do?"