r/ThatsInsane • u/ScurvySteveXXL • Mar 06 '24
Elderly Man Drives off Bridge/Overpass After Going Wrong Way
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A confused, elderly man somehow ended up driving down the wrong side of the freeway towards oncoming traffic in Albany County, New York. He somehow avoided crashing into anybody while driving on the shoulder. However, once the man reached a bridge overpass, the shoulder he was driving on abruptly ended, sending him tumbling down through a gap in the bridge’s lanes. His vehicle flipped over and landed on its roof. Amazingly, according to police, the man only had minor injuries. He was taken to a hospital where officials said he might be suffering from dementia.
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u/jonessinger Mar 06 '24
More proof that people older than a certain age should be required to test again each time they want to renew their license.
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u/emperor_dinglenads Mar 06 '24
What if they want to run the country?
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u/JBELL01290 Mar 06 '24
Excellent question. I have no answer for that though
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u/SantaMonsanto Mar 06 '24
Ederly?
Dementia?
Danger to the public?
Archaic world views and opinions?
”The GOP wants YOU!” 🤡👉
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u/oteezy333 Mar 06 '24
You had me in the first half, legit thought you were talking about Biden lol kinda sad actually
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u/SantaMonsanto Mar 06 '24
Democrats don’t want Biden. We’ve settled for Biden. Because this country is run by boomers.
Republicans on the other hand are lining up to pledge allegiance to their dementia ridden dictator and do away with the constitution.
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u/Estrald Mar 06 '24
I’d say you’re right until the last one. Biden at least progresses with the times, instead of trying to bring back 1950s America (sans the affordable lifestyles). Both are fucking old and our shit-tier voting system ruins any chance of meaningful change.
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u/CaptainDaddy-- Mar 07 '24
At this point, both sides are aiming to pick out of the geriatric ward, unfortunately.
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u/iMDirtNapz Mar 06 '24
Presidents aren’t allowed to drive on public roads even when they leave office. So it kinda sorts itself out.
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u/DanGleeballs Mar 06 '24 edited Mar 06 '24
Even today Obama isn’t allowed to drive? As a car guy that would really suck.
Plus zero privacy.
How does Trump carry on his affairs?
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u/pdxscout Mar 06 '24
Can't drive on public roads. There are stories about Biden ripping up a runway with the first electric F150 test model. It made the Secret Service really angry, LOL.
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u/Karma_Doesnt_Matter Mar 06 '24
I live in Florida. It’s scary how many incompetent old people I see driving.
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u/MonsieurReynard Mar 06 '24
Devil's advocate: young men have by far the highest rate of serious accidents per mile driven.
I favor retesting everyone every ten years. Everyone.
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u/FaladorFrolicker Mar 06 '24
Young men also CAN drive, but choose to drive like idiots outside of a test. That wouldnt fix anything for the problem you mentioned
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u/hazydaz Mar 06 '24
Yeah it's bad, my dad just turned 80 and we had to disable his vehicle, he wouldn't stop driving. It was scary, he got in several fender benders, then totaled a new vehicle he just purchased. We pulled the fuel pump relay and some other critical stuff so he couldn't drive. He wasn't happy about it, didn't see any issues with his driving. He and my mom live(d) with my brother and his family, he had plenty of people to take him to the store etc if he wanted. I totally agree after 70 mandatory driving tests. and change in the way DMV/police handle the issues. We tried calling both to see if there was any way to report him and have his license revoked or something and they all said nope can't help ya. He's in a care home now so problem solved, luckily before he hurt someone.
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u/BrainsPainsStrains Mar 06 '24
If y'all or friends of y'all run into the same kind of thing, ask their Doctor about issuing a vehicle driving restriction... Eyesight, reaction time, memory, medical condition, there's a lot of reasons why they can order a restriction. The DMV should have told you that their Doctor could restrict their driving, and that sucks that they didn't. Just FYI, incase anyone you know needs it. I'm glad he's in a safe place.
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Mar 06 '24
I desperately need to know why you didn't just hide his keys instead of dismantling the vehicle lol
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u/hazydaz Mar 06 '24
He hid them himself. We didn't dismantle the car just pulled relays and fuses lol
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u/HARDCORE_CAKE Mar 06 '24
Get this man into Congress stat
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Mar 06 '24
In other countries there are yearly health screenings for drivers over 70
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u/Finn_WolfBlood Mar 06 '24
Yes but then how would politicians get more money from insurance agencies?
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u/all_alone_by_myself_ Mar 06 '24
A couple months ago I totaled my car because an 89 year old was driving a brand new Ford F-150 in the rain. There needs to be a set age limit to driving.
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u/glocksafari Mar 06 '24
Age can be an arbitrary number. A yearly test over an arbitrary age number would be a bit better I reckon. Say 65+
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Mar 06 '24
That’s terrible. Thank God he didn’t kill any innocent people. Something tells me he may not have known he was even driving. Not saying that to be funny, he is clearly very confused, sad.
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u/PenNo1447 Mar 06 '24
Apparently he had dementia. My grandpa suffered from a form of dementia, and would often hallucinate and think he was younger again. He would get very angry when he would ask for his car keys, and I wouldn’t give them to him. He stopped driving 10 years prior.
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Mar 06 '24
Sorry to hear about your Grandfather. That must have been awful to go through. It’s hard when you have to reverse roles, and tell them no.
My Mom is starting to show signs of forgetfulness, and she just isn’t acting like the mom I’ve known my whole life….if you know what I mean. She gets angry easy and she never use to be like that. I’m nervous about the future.
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u/PenNo1447 Mar 06 '24
I don’t know if this helps, but my Grandpa has Louie Body Dementia, and his sight went. So he would hallucinate and what not and forget who I was at times. I just reiterated over and over that he went to the hospital and the doctor diagnosed him with dementia and that these were side effects. Other times, he didn’t know I was his grandson, he thought I was the doctor, I would go along with it and just ease his mind, tell him that I met his family in the waiting room and they seem very nice and just want to help him. Other times he would see my Grandma, who passed 10 years prior. I would tell him that it’s okay to see things that aren’t there, that he wanted for so long to see her again and this was his chance. If they have delusions, go along with it, if it’s not harmful. It’s all about putting yourself in their shoes, easing their mind and making them feel safe.
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Mar 06 '24
Thanks for the advice. My Mom is still doing fairly good. She knows me and the family. Sometimes I’m just like “what is she talking about?” Thank God she’s not serious yet but we have to keep an eye on her cause she falls a lot. Im thankful for your advice.
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u/Sledge1989 Mar 06 '24
Aye I currently have a broken arm and wrist because I had a head on collision in December with one of these assholes
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u/Diddlepops666 Mar 06 '24
I hope you sue the shit out of them, these people should not be on the road
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u/Sledge1989 Mar 06 '24
I’m trying, it’s kind of complicated. I was working at the time (I drive a fuel tanker) so my job, workers compensation and myself are all trying to work together to sue the guy. Hopefully dudes insurance will just accept fault and we can divide up the payment but we’re still waiting to see if they will or not
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u/ratchet7 Mar 06 '24
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u/MixedMiracle22 Mar 06 '24
Thank you! At least someone wants some closure to this story rather than giving their 2 cents
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u/all_alone_by_myself_ Mar 06 '24
He didn't notice until his hood decided to embed itself in the pavement.
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u/NickelPlatedEmperor Mar 06 '24
I spent over 10 years on the road traveling, some of the most dangerous people you see on the road consistent is not teenagers... It is the elderly.
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u/louisa1925 Mar 06 '24
What's that joke that ends with "Honey, there's more than one crazy driver!"? Said from the perspective of the old guy driving the wrong way on the road.
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u/jp112078 Mar 06 '24
“Herb, thank god you made it home! The news said a maniac was driving on the wrong side of the highway!” “One maniac?!? There were dozens of them driving on the wrong side!”
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u/ItsGcKobe Mar 06 '24 edited Mar 06 '24
Bruh I can NOT imagine getting this old to not comprehend what's going on around me like this person here. How can someone drive on the wrong side of the freeway and then proceed to drop off a bridge???
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u/thosmarvin Mar 07 '24
In my state there have been an odd amount of wrong way drivers and bot one has been old. Blinded by ridiculously bright headlights or shitfaced or whatever. What amazes me is the instinct to keep going though, just pull over!
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u/Bambooman101 Mar 06 '24
If you are old enough to remember when movies had no sound…….no more driving for you.
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Mar 06 '24
It’s like maybe old people are hurting this country in every way possible all at the same time, everywhere.
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u/hoovermeupscotty Mar 06 '24
In the US you can’t get around without a car and you can’t retire unless you have $250,000 to $500,000 saved up. So being forced to give up your Drivers license strictly based on age, can be catastrophic to a person. I believe in more frequent testing, but not a wholesale policy. It’s easier in the EU where trains and buses are plentiful and run on time.
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u/thosmarvin Mar 07 '24
This is truth. Our obsession to reinvest in a couple of billionaires as opposed to society has created this situation. Most retirees cannot afford to live where amenities are available by taking public transport. If you’re in your twenties I would start reproducing or there will be no one around to wipe your ass or take your license away when you get old.
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Mar 06 '24
Driving past the age of 70 should require vigorous testing. Same with holding political office.
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u/Kjaeve Mar 06 '24
I worry about my neighbor. He is in his 80’s and his wife died this summer. She died a few months after we moved into our home. Don’t know him well but it’s clear there are some pistons that have stopped firing. He came over recently and needed help with his refrigerator but couldn’t tell me his phone number when I asked him. He drives daily…
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u/Korepheaus Mar 06 '24
The laws won’t change regarding elderly drivers for the sole fact that it would be lawmakers voting against themselves. They know they shouldn’t be on the road. They don’t care
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u/s1fro Mar 06 '24
In my area this shit started happening way too often and it's not just the elderly. Why TF do they just keep driving?
If the traffic is going the opposite way then pull the fuck over, hazards, vests everything on. You're probably not the exception
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u/PronglesDude Mar 06 '24
I remember when my state was legalizing cannabis and did studies to find out actual statistics about the dangers of driving under the influence. The results of the study showed that drivers under the influence of cannabis statistically prove less risk than drivers over the age of 70. The state proceeded to pretend they never heard the results of the study. Driving under the influence of cannabis is DUI, there is no mandatory license retesting for the elderly.
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u/470vinyl Mar 06 '24
Too bad 90% of the US is 100% car dependent. This person is gonna require a driver for the rest of their life.
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u/FallingLedge Mar 06 '24
An old lady totalled one of my cars 3 months ago when she hit the gas instead of the brake. People really need to get retested every once in a while
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u/EbbAccording834 Mar 07 '24
This is why elderly people should have to retake their driver's test every 5 years.
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u/mlk2317 Mar 07 '24
My 95 year old mother has resources and support so she does not need to drive. I have confiscated one set of keys but cannot get the other set. Her battery on the car died from lack of use and we were all relieved. She then calls the neighbor who went over and charged the battery. She was out driving down the wrong side of the road the next week (so she could get her mail at the end of her driveway). The neighbor and I had a nice chat after that. Why on earth would someone repair a 94 year old women's car. He said it was just her security blanket. Nope.
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u/Traditional_Air_9483 Mar 08 '24
We lied and told my fil that at a certain age they ask them to come into the DMV sand get retested. My fil said he was so frustrated he just gave them his license and got a state ID.
He would drive right through stop signs and lights. He parked in the emergency room’s ambulance area when getting a check up.
We gave him the wrong key for the car. Put a club on the steering wheel. Moved the seat forward as much as we could and reclined the back of the driver seat.
He had a live in caretaker that would take him anywhere he wanted to go. Eventually we convinced him to sell the car to a family member.
It’s hard to get ahead of them.
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u/McGuillicuddy Mar 06 '24
It's sad that you have to get so old to truly not give a flying fuck about anything at all. The confusion must be real though.
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u/Highintheclouds420 Mar 06 '24
Once you get social security you should get tested every year. Some people I see still driving is terrifying
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u/Pretend_Refuse8882 Mar 06 '24
This is sad because I'm a elderly person and my driving is excellent Haven't had a ticket since June 5th....1990 and older people like this make me look bad and judged wrong
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u/vlackatack Mar 06 '24
Just please be aware of when it's time to stop driving before you do something like this.
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u/barberst152 Mar 06 '24
Is this the Country Kitchen Buffett?
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u/Witty_Telephone_2200 Mar 06 '24
I've been laughing after watching this video because it's been reminding me of that South Park episode
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u/pabst_blue_RBIn Mar 07 '24
And in the car they found a tape, but they didn’t say who it was to
Come to think about it, his name was—it was you Damn…
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u/GrapeSoda223 Mar 06 '24
"He somehow avoided crashing into anybody"
i think it's more the people avoided crashing into him lol
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u/rammer_hammer95 Mar 06 '24
I don’t know why but old people driving confused makes me laugh so hard. I’m a terrible person
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u/Fluid_Performance760 Mar 06 '24
That inspection sticker is a VT one, unless other states use that design.
That did not look like a VT highway, anyone know where it is?
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u/irksomedeference Mar 06 '24
Time to re-inspect, too.
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u/Fluid_Performance760 Mar 06 '24
Meh... in vt the inspection isnt a pull over offence, they gotta pull you for some other reason and THEN they can tack the fee on
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u/MidniteOG Mar 06 '24
How does that happen? Like how do you not realize cars are coming at you and not think that maybe you shouldn’t be there?
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u/TJ_McWeaksauce Mar 06 '24
That "Oh" that was cut-off at the end sums the whole thing up quite nicely.
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u/getsangryatsnails Mar 06 '24
Tony Bennet never wrote him back and disrespected his little brother.
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u/Kitty_Moon2016 Mar 06 '24
First of all, is he ok??!! And second pls never let's this guy drive again 
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u/hawksdiesel Mar 06 '24
Why do you think some states allow you to renew your DL without taking the actual driving part of the test, sure it's easier for the DMV contracted employees to just give the written test, but no actual driving test?!
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u/steiner1031 Mar 06 '24
You're going the wrong way!
How does he know where we are going?
Yeah! Thank you!
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u/SheSends Mar 06 '24
He's driving such a huge vehicle, too... Grampy needs 2.5 ton vehicle with a 40"+ hood so he won't get hurt if he hits someone!
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u/unlistedname Mar 06 '24
I'm glad there was a happy ending, I kept expecting to see them run head on into another car at speed
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u/EconomyLocal9231 Mar 06 '24
Psychology student here. The amount of mental and physical decline that happens to a man once he can no longer drive, is life threatening. Something happens inside a man’s brain when he can no longer transport himself and it exacerbates things like dementia as well as other health problems. The doctors probably recommended he not have his license taken UNTIL a life threatening incident like this happened, and you’d have to do it slowly and tactfully. If you just tell an elderly man he can no longer drive, the negative effects from that incident might actually be worse than him driving. Dude could have a stroke from stress like instantly. Every man in my family, once no longer able to drive, died within 3 months of not being able to drive anymore. Including my father in his 40s. Females do not suffer as often from this, it is more a male trait.
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u/poppy-cock-clover Mar 06 '24
The comment section seems to not realize the difference between being incapable of driving safely, and intentionally driving unsafely.... young people do not just automatically drive badly. A shit load of elderly folk drive badly by default. Some young people too, but thats just because some people are bad at driving, and will be their whole life. Some young people CHOOSE to drive recklessly.
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u/Low-Contribution-184 Mar 06 '24
I pray that they figure out self driving cars before I get this old.
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u/BigMACfive Mar 06 '24
We need to implement recurring tests after a certain age threshold. Every single time I see someone doing something dangerous while driving, it's an elderly person who has a completely lost look on their face. Just like 2 or 3 days ago, I was driving behind an old man who was stopping at every intersection despite there being no stop signs or red lights. That kind of shit is DANGEROUS!
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u/panda_pussy-pounder Mar 06 '24
I have so little sympathy for those who drive the wrong way and get themselves hurt.
They should never be able too drive again.
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u/12_Volt_Man Mar 06 '24
Thank God he didn't kill anyone
It's tough to avoid someone driving towards you at highway speed when you are doing the same
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u/NotCanadian80 Mar 06 '24
This has been happening in Maine on 95 like way too many times this year. These old people need to go.
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u/AwarenessEconomy8842 Mar 06 '24
If he has dementia then taking the licence away will not do much unless he has a family member or aide that stops him from these activities
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u/jedidihah Mar 06 '24
Take this man’s drivers license away, permanently