I swear that if another codger even thinks about hitting me in one of my VWs, I'm going to scream.  

Last year, this "aged" gentleman backed up into the side of the Eurovan, putting a nice sized dent in the passenger door post.  I kept my cool

Then, later that year, this "experienced" couple pulled out into the rear of my Fastback, ripping the rear bumper off it's mounts and denting in both rear fenders.  I was a little hot under the collar, but collected.

Today, while leaving work, I turned right out of the entrance to McKee Foods to go out of Collegedale.  After turning, I had to come to a 4-way stop to turn left.  I could see the blue hair over the driver's headrest of the car in front of me.  To the right of me, at the south part of the intersection was one of the "yard dogs" that move tractor trailers about the plant area and from plant to plant.  Well, it was turning left to go past me and the car in front of me on our left.  With not much space to turn left, it was moving very carefully, trying not to hit the car in front of me.  The Great Blue-Haired One in the car in front of me started backing up!  With my horn not working, the only thing I could do was yell out the window.  Apparently, the driver was deaf as well as blind, because she kept coming.  She was probably moving about .00001 mph, but I felt her touch my front bumper.  Oooh, I got mad.  :cussing: How in the world can someone not see a vehicle right behind them?  Why the @#$% would someone start backing up on a road, for crying out loud, without making sure someone is not right behind them?  Anyway, she took off when the trailer had moved on, without even seeming to notice that she had hit me.  If I didn't feel like there was no damage done, I probably would have followed the Battle Ax to wherever she was going and question her mental capacities.  But, I needed to go to 2 banks and a Post Office before they closed and I was in a hurry.

Thank goodness the "dent" is barely noticeable.  But it is there anyway.

I feel another rant coming on...:3dmad:

Most (all?) states seem to think that after spending 10 minutes with an official when you're 16 is good enough for the next 50-70 years without any follow-up.  For my 30th birthday, I filled out a page on the internet, added my credit card number, and they sent me a renewal sticker good for the next ten years!  I could have lost both arms in the last ten years, but the great state trusts me with a 3000 lb semi-guided missle!  

Let's face it, as we grow older, sometimes things change.  On one hand, we have Stirling Moss, flying down the race tracks in his 70s, and on the other is the person hitting their brakes and eventually stopping on the I-24 on-ramp while figuring out where to merge.   Solutions?  Annual check-ups after, say 70, restricted daytime licensing to people with vision problems, driving classes for, well, everyone.  No matter what age.  Ultimately, suspension of licenses.  Will it happen in a state that can't even stay in business this time of year?  Doubtful.  It costs money.  Plus, older people vote.  Is it taking away a right?  Would it make me upset if they took mine?  Would it help keep our highways a little safer?  I don't think anyone that is physically and mentally able to drive should have anyone telling them they can't, no matter what age.  I just think someone should be periodically making sure.
 Here's a better idea:  How about we educate all ages?  You think Germans turn their kids loose on the Autobahn after a cursory spin around the block with a driving instructor?  Hardly.    My driving test was four rights and back into a parking space.  Please!  Hamilton Co. Schools have not had Driver's Ed for years, since it was cut out of the budget.  The 16-20 age bracket is rife with accidents, ask any insurance man.
The best advice I've heard is, Always assume the other guy will do the dumbest possible thing, and plan your way out.

To Travis and all the Volks Folks, may all your fenders and bumpers stay clean!

Talking about So. Florida - Jeremy our son who just moved to Tampa the 1st of June had just received his renewal on his 21st birthday for car insurance for the 91 Jetta for he drives.  His monthly payment for liability insurance was $40.00.  The same insurance in Tampa is $140.00 per month due to the elderly population in Hillsborough Co.  It is very difficult to convince someone that they should not be driving any longer.  We've been through that with my dad and can see the scars on the tank he was driving...now you have to watch out for him with his power wheelchair  :satisfied: