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1234nameuser t1_ixkt5kp wrote

What a dumbass, trying to drive straight from FL to CT at 71. Didn't say anything about his speed or if had a 2nd driver.

Scary shit at 4am in the morning.

44

maybe_little_pinch t1_ixnfajc wrote

My uncle, who I would say is no less with it in his early 70s than he was when he was younger, ripped up his truck when he fell asleep at the wheel driving from NC to CT. He hit some of those metal poles along the side of the road that I guess are there for that purpose?

People really need to be really fucking careful. Driving long hours, especially this time of year when you have less sunlight, is extremely hazardous.

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MercymainOverwatch t1_ixnp2ew wrote

And a woman in ct just died the other day doing the same so and getting hit by a truck

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Usedtoknowsomeone46 OP t1_ixkrt2j wrote

This might sound harsh but I don't think boomers should be on the road. They grew up in the time of lead gasoline and that's really starting to show as they're aging and getting dementia.

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Prestigious_Bobcat29 t1_ixlp5vh wrote

Everyone should have to retake the driving test when they renew their license. Blanket statementing a 20 year spanning generation is dumb, but I agree that there are absolutely plenty of people on the road that shouldn’t be.

The other side of this coin is we need to make society less utterly dependent on the automobile to function, as Im sure someone’s going to (not wrongfully) immediately reply to me freaking out about how they’d be able to hold a job without a car

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LizzieBordensPetRock t1_ixlrzeb wrote

I’m not freaking out. I’d love to take mass transit to/from work but I when I did the route on ct transit it was 90+ Minutes each way, my drive is 20-30. We got a Looooooong way to go before we can help people get there.

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Prestigious_Bobcat29 t1_ixlt17r wrote

Absolutely agreed. It’s a really tough fight too because there’s a lot of self perpetuation. I work in CT in transportation planning, and for example right now we’re working on a lot of studies for southeastern CT. DOT really wants to spend 4.5B to widen 95. If you suggest that similar resources are invested in transit you’re called some combination of insane, naive, and delusional. “Everybody drives, so that’s where the money goes” as if we don’t get what we build for.

4.5 B could get us an electrified shore line east with much more frequent service and extensions to to both Westerly and Norwich via the casino, plus a massive increase in SEAT and Estuary Transit (the regional bus services) routes and frequencies.

For the same price we can widen 95, the extra capacity of which will be filled by 2040 - “loosening our belt to cure our obesity”

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daybeers t1_ixmjnph wrote

SLE was electrified using Metro-North M8s this past May. Still needs improvements, though. Track 6 in New London still isn't wired even though that was on tap to be done this year.

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Prestigious_Bobcat29 t1_ixmjuj6 wrote

Yes track 6 is what I was referring too, not the rolling stock, sorry

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daybeers t1_ixmk86r wrote

Ya there's still one run each direction on weekdays that's bustituted.

The I-95 expansion is bullshit; I hope residents stand up for that because they already destroyed enough wetlands when it was originally built.

Do you work for the DOT/a COG or in the private sector?

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Prestigious_Bobcat29 t1_ixmldj7 wrote

A cog, thankfully not working directly on the 95 study so I’m free to engage with it on a personal level

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awebr t1_ixmlv31 wrote

The worst part is, although they're doing some new studies now, an older study from a few years ago regarding 95 from New Haven to the RI line explicity referenced induced demand and how a third lane in each direction would attract more drivers. But then the consultant said that they still recommend adding that lane anyways because it could handle the increased traffic demand. Gotta love traffic engineers!

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imangryignoreme t1_ixmglyd wrote

Retaking the driving test is a good idea as long as the implementation doesn’t mean long waiting periods to get an appointment or a bunch of additional fees.

Difficulty scheduling + fees really disproportionately and unfairly impacts lower income people.

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Prestigious_Bobcat29 t1_ixmifui wrote

Definitely, though I can only imagine how well “more money for the dmv” will go over politically

1

waterford1955_2 t1_ixof7zd wrote

>Everyone should have to retake the driving test when they renew their license.

I would venture to guess that 95% of the drivers on the road couldn't pass the drivers test.

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AlphaSlayer21 t1_ixl28p8 wrote

Boomers are still fairly young

−1

Usedtoknowsomeone46 OP t1_ixl2eke wrote

Lol no. They're old af and the lead poisoning is making their brains mushy

−13

AlphaSlayer21 t1_ixl3dcw wrote

The youngest baby boomers are 58 years old. You’re telling me a 58 year old shouldn’t be behind the wheel? How old are you?

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Usedtoknowsomeone46 OP t1_ixl3keb wrote

You're ignoring the lead poisoning and I'm not sure why.

−23

AlphaSlayer21 t1_ixl3ov8 wrote

Going through your comment history you’re obviously an opinionated douche bag who gets down voted a lot so I’m not even gonna waste my time with you. Enjoy all that plastic in your bloodstream.

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Usedtoknowsomeone46 OP t1_ixl3ucz wrote

Lol everyone has that. Only boomers have the lead though since that was stopped for my generation. If you know boomers you know they aren't aging well mentally.

−14

Ornery_Opossum t1_ixlrano wrote

you’re really quite uneducated. just stop running your dumb mouth idiot

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Dimako98 t1_ixoyzfu wrote

You're a fucking idiot.

Seems like in your case, the lead was replaced by all the alcohol and cigarettes your mom had when she was pregnant.

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pyspark2020 t1_ixkzkcu wrote

If an 80 years old senile can be president why not a 71 year old can drive a car?

−9

QueenOfQuok t1_ixmv82f wrote

"Just be careful, dear, there's a news report about some nutcase driving the wrong way on the highway."

"One nutcase? There are hundreds of them!"

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PTSDforMe t1_ixm079h wrote

Had someone come at me the wrong way on route 9 once. Fucking terrifying

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ITeachMunchkins t1_ixm1fdf wrote

This seems to be happening much more often lately. I’m not sure the reason, but I definitely don’t remember this happening anywhere near as often in the past. Be careful out there!

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mrskohlrabi t1_ixm82am wrote

It really depends on the boomer. My dad is still very sharp but my step father has lost his license twice and should never get it back. What does seem consistent however, is an inability to accept and plan for aging amongst the boomers and it’s going to fuck us all.

2

Jawaka99 t1_ixmx7d1 wrote

I find it amazing he apparently got from Florida to Torrington. I mean if he was non stop wouldn't that have meant he drove from the Rt 8 / 95 connector in Bridgeport all the way to Torrington in the wrong lane.

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jpetrone t1_ixnj1jr wrote

Couldn't have asked for a better outcome.

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Prestigious-Tie2049 t1_ixmclkl wrote

We should just take all the old people and move them somewhere else.

I mean, they don’t really contribute anything to society.

−6

QueenOfQuok t1_ixmv2kx wrote

We should just take the nursing home...and push it somewhere else!

−1

Specialist-Lion-8135 t1_ixlrhro wrote

All this going on about his age - Connecticut has very confusing markers, sometimes seated right next to each other. The new round about in New Haven is a nightmare of signs and ramps.

−7

TurdyMcFergy t1_ixlrugg wrote

If you’re overwhelmed by roundabouts and road signage maybe you should be taking the bus

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Specialist-Lion-8135 t1_ixmedbi wrote

That isn’t what I mean. I’ve driven across the country in an RV and Connecticut seems a Gordian knot of highways along the coastline. I’ve never had an accident myself. I know my limits and respect them.

Night driving is another issue with some people. People driving too fast or too slow. Blocking the passing lane. Ridiculously bright headlights. People texting while driving. This selfish guy driving hundreds of miles without a break. Bad driving is endemic in Connecticut.

People constantly use ageism to punish people with blanket laws. Look at the GOP starting up with raising voting ages. It works both ways. Someday you might be defending your right for autonomy against something you cannot alter. Don’t punish everyone for an irresponsible person’s foolish decision. You may not agree with my opinion but I’m not trying to humiliate anyone with it.

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LizzieBordensPetRock t1_ixls51z wrote

I was driving somewhere unfamiliar the other day and between political signs, ads, useful road signs and warning signs due to construction I was struggling a little. Too much to look at and some signs blocked each other

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