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How would you punish woman who hit 5-year-old?

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Staff Writer
in Opinion
Thursday, December 10. 2009
Comments (20)
An 82-year-old woman hit and killed a five-year-old child who was getting off a school bus in Cobb County Wednesday. There is no question the oldster was at fault.

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#1 Anonymous on 12/10/09 at 09:10 AM
This is only 1 elder person.
I have seen an 80 year old male
dance the nite away along with
a 40 year old.
#2 Anonymous on 12/10/09 at 09:57 AM
the lady will suffer enough in her last few years . the people that worry me the most are all these freaks riding down the road yacking and texting on their silly little phones.why cant you find the sats on how many people are killed every day across the country by these people?
#3 Anonymous on 12/10/09 at 10:02 AM
Yes..for public saftey reasons and not to discriminate, everyone over a certain age should be periodically tested. Her family should not be liable.
#4 Anonymous on 12/10/09 at 10:52 AM
Age shouldn't be a factor. If she went around a bus an onto the sidewalk killing a child she should be charged the same thing anyone else would be charged with. If that means that the rest of her life is behind bars then so be it.
#5 Anonymous on 12/10/09 at 10:58 AM
An eye exam should be the minimum...people that cant see, hear, and have poor reflexs should not be on the road.
#6 Anonymous on 12/10/09 at 11:21 AM
anyone over a certain age should be strenously tested yearly. The whole driving test should be changed all together. It needs to be very difficult to obtain a drivers license.
#7 Anonymous on 12/10/09 at 11:39 AM
I think age should be taken into account for the elderly the same as it is for teenagers. There is now a graduated license for teens, in the beginning they can only drive with an adult, can't drive at night, etc. Perhaps elderly drivers should require a vision test every year to be done by their dr and forwarded to the DMV to review, be restricted from night driving, etc.
I don't think family should be held responsible, but I do think more medical assessment should be done for elderly drivers (75+?) to make sure they are physically and mentally equipped to be behind the wheel.
#8 Anonymous One on 12/10/09 at 11:47 AM
I do believe persons over a certain age should be tested yearly for their driving abilities. After you reach a certain age, your health and abilities can go quickly. I also agree with the other person too about the many idiots who drive and text/talk on the phone. I was a truck driver for 6 years and I was shocked at the amount of crazy people on the road doing stupid things while driving. I actually saw a man reading a newspaper and eating at the same time while driving on the interstate at 75+ MPH. This is not sane nor should it be acceptable.
#9 Anonymous on 12/10/09 at 12:32 PM
That is awful. I don't think it is her family's fault, though. She doesn't look upset in her mugshot at all. I wonder if she even has a family.
#10 GM on 12/10/09 at 01:54 PM
I must agree with #4. Only the 82 year old can be held accountable. I hate it for her but she was in control.

Additionally the question was ask if the family should be punished for allowing her to drive? Give me a break! On the other hand perhaps the state should be punished for issuing her a licence.
#11 Anonymous on 12/10/09 at 02:50 PM
should every teenager who wrecks because of excessive speed, talking on the cell phone, racing,arguing while driving, etc, be allowed behind the wheel of a car again? everyone who has an accident while driving should then have their license taken away and not allowed to drive again. be realistic not every elderly person is an unsafe driver. check your statistics and see what ages most accidents occur at.
#12 Andy on 12/10/09 at 03:24 PM
WOW!! I raised this very same question here a few months ago and you people tried to crucify me. I wonder why the change of heart? Oh.... wait....I know why....this little old lady isn't a local. When the question was raised about someone local, probably a family member of one of you, you raised hell and defended her. But now since this person isn't related to one of you (and YOU won't have to be the one to carry her around if she loses her license) you think it's OK.

As for punishing this woman, how would you feel if it were YOUR child or grandchild?
#13 Anonymous on 12/10/09 at 03:26 PM
If she is not fit to drive and the family knew it and still let her drive then they should be just as responsible.
#14 ChuckB on 12/10/09 at 04:56 PM
at least revoke her license for life
#15 cats on 12/11/09 at 08:30 AM
A tragic tragic story, and a little girl gone forever.
Stringent testing really should be mandatory.
In this case, her driver's license should be revoked immediately.
As far as jail time, I don't know....
This is a tough situation.
#16 why just 80 somethings? on 12/11/09 at 08:32 AM
A rhetorical question: Why not set the same standards for 20-somethings who drive drunk on the wrong side of the interstate and kill other people? Or teenagers who drive too fast, leave the road and kill other people? Or even those soccer moms who can't stop talking and texting which causes wrecks that kill others? Or middle-aged folks who run red lights, stop signs and cause deaths?
All ages cause horrific wrecks that take lives. Please remember that before you start passing judgement on certain age groups.
#17 Anonymous on 12/11/09 at 01:11 PM
It is not judgement. Its public safety. Are you suggesting that these younger people do not face some consequence for their actions? The sad reality is that when you get older, your reaction time slows..FACT. Some elderly people are not very coherent or become confused easily. They may refuse to listen when others suggest that they should stop driving. Others are as sharp as a tac. Since it is difficult to tell the difference not to discriminate, it is reasonable to request that they ALL be subject to testing. There is no amount of drivers ed that can prepare you or help you when that time comes. It is life. I know people who have the onset of Alzheimers. They do not need to be driving but still have a license.
#18 Anonymous on 12/11/09 at 08:39 PM
IAGREE THE LADY SHOULD NOT DRIVE BUT I KNOW OF A LOT PEOPLE OVER THE AGE 75 THEY ARE VERY GOOD DRIVERS AND VERY SAFE .BUT I DO THINK THAT EVERY ONE AT ASERTING AGE SHOULD GET TESTED.EVERY YEAR. IF THEY HAVE TO DRIVE.
#19 Buzz Cone on 01/08/10 at 06:31 PM
I am a 71 yr. old driver and know for a fact that my reflexes and reaction time have slowed down considerably. I'm all for testing at say 65 yrs. to check safety considerations. I'm positive that that 82 yr. old shouldn't have been behind the wheel. I find it hard to garner sympathy for her when she doesn't seem to want to accept responsibility. I'm sure some 75 yr. old judge will feel sorry for her and give her a month probation or some extremely light punishment. Personal responsibility be damned.
#20 BOO BOO on 03/03/10 at 10:17 AM
SHES DEF. PROBABLY BLIND, IF I AM NOT MISTAKEN WHEN THE BUS STOPS TO DROP A STUDENT OFF DOESN'T IT SAY s-t-o-p IN REALLY BIG LETTERS ON THE SIDE? NOT GO AROUND? JUST SAYING
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