Discussion about hot topics trending today

[Gatefan1976]

don't see why Uber should be around anyway given that most communities have a quite extensive network of senior citizen transportation services...and I think the fees for these services, if any, can even be covered by Medicare depending on the level of Medicare coverage they have

Yeah, that socialist system is perfect!!

Keep your gubbment paws of my -SOCIALIST- medicare/medicaid!!!

[Gatefan1976]

Yeah, I've seen a few examples of that as well.

Aside from the inevitable declines eyesight, reaction times, coordination and such, it seems that some people lose their situational awareness (for lack of a better term) as they age, they just can't keep an accurate and current mental picture of their surroundings, be it a highway or a supermarket or anything else. This causes them to be in a constant state of confusion, and they become a hazard to themselves and others.

At the other end of the scale, a young driver can theoretically be the safest drivers on the road, as their reaction times eyesight, coordination, situational awareness and such are all near the peak of human normal range. Once they have a few years experience under their belt, and it sinks in that they can be killed, a young driver who chooses to apply themselves to learning the skill can probably drive far faster than an older person like myself in complete safety because their native abilities are so much better. I'm no slouch, I still consider my ability behind the wheel to be well ahead of the average driver, but I will be the first to admit that I couldn't hope to match my own performance when I was younger.

I've wondered if maybe forcing youngsters to drive at speeds safe for older folks doesn't actually cause accidents. Someone who is limited to performing a task at a level far below their ability will inevitably get bored and their attention may start to wander from the task at hand. Are we hurting ourselves by setting driving standards to the lowest common denominator in order to allow people with lesser abilities to drive?

But I digress. As the US population ages, mobility for the older folks is going to be a big problem. Taxicabs are way too expensive for day to day transport, but Uber could be viable alternative.

I cannot give you some green, but yes, I feel you have a fantastic point here.

[garhkal]

From my experience before my mother passed a few years ago, such transportation is covered, but only for medically necessary transportation; to doctors' offices/hospitals/test facilities, etc. And only partially covered.

Day to day transportation for someone who can no longer drive is up to the family, or taxicabs and public transportation in areas that are served by such.

So Uber would be a good reasonable cost alternative for such folks, but I expect the taxicab industry & the government will eventually get it killed via the courts. Can't have an established industry that is a financial contributor to the government via taxicab licenses, registration, or even the right to operate a cab being subject to a fee paid to the local government being rendered obsolete, can we?

IMO the bigger thing for me between Uber (and its ilk) and cab drivers are
A) cabbies get trained and licensed to drive cabs,
B) they are insured...
IIRC Uber drivers are not.

Taxicabs are way too expensive for day to day transport, but Uber could be viable alternative.

Very true. Last time i even had to USE a cab, it was 2 bucks 75 cents for the first 7th of a mile, 50 cents each additional 7th of a mile.. Since i had to go 8 miles down the road it cost me almost 30 bucks...

[Annoyed]

IMO the bigger thing for me between Uber (and its ilk) and cab drivers are
A) cabbies get trained and licensed to drive cabs,
B) they are insured...
IIRC Uber drivers are not.

Very true. Last time i even had to USE a cab, it was 2 bucks 75 cents for the first 7th of a mile, 50 cents each additional 7th of a mile.. Since i had to go 8 miles down the road it cost me almost 30 bucks...

And therein lies the problem. There is going to be an increasing need for transportation for older folks who should no longer be driving.

The points you raise about training & licensing not really an issue. They are artificial barriers thrown up by government who makes a fair chunk of money off off the process. Governments limit the amount of cab permits they issue as well, limiting the supply, which keeps costs high. As I understand it, a cab plate in NYC is something that is of extreme value, to be left to decedents in wills and so forth.

Do you really need additional training and a special license (both costly) to do what a taxicab driver does? Drive around and give people rides? I rather doubt it. The whole process is just a cash grab by the state/city/whatever.

The insurance angle however is a legitimate issue, and perhaps something needs to be done to ensure Uber/Etc. carry sufficient insurance.

[mad_gater]

From my experience before my mother passed a few years ago, such transportation is covered, but only for medically necessary transportation; to doctors' offices/hospitals/test facilities, etc. And only partially covered.

Day to day transportation for someone who can no longer drive is up to the family, or taxicabs and public transportation in areas that are served by such.

So Uber would be a good reasonable cost alternative for such folks, but I expect the taxicab industry & the government will eventually get it killed via the courts. Can't have an established industry that is a financial contributor to the government via taxicab licenses, registration, or even the right to operate a cab being subject to a fee paid to the local government being rendered obsolete, can we?

well I think there are also some senior citizen transportation services that are also run by private non-profit entities as well

[garhkal]

And therein lies the problem. There is going to be an increasing need for transportation for older folks who should no longer be driving.

The points you raise about training & licensing not really an issue. They are artificial barriers thrown up by government who makes a fair chunk of money off off the process. Governments limit the amount of cab permits they issue as well, limiting the supply, which keeps costs high. As I understand it, a cab plate in NYC is something that is of extreme value, to be left to decedents in wills and so forth.

Do you really need additional training and a special license (both costly) to do what a taxicab driver does? Drive around and give people rides? I rather doubt it. The whole process is just a cash grab by the state/city/whatever.

Since you need a separate license to drive a bus (even those small mini-buses) i do feel that driving paying customers is different enough from driving yourself/family around.
BUT i do agree, cause of Government involvement, it is a pricy endeavor..

[Falcon Horus]

And it happened... again...

Oregon shooting: Reports of 10 dead at Umpqua Community College

Prime example how lessons are not learned.

[Ukko]

And it happened... again...

Oregon shooting: Reports of 10 dead at Umpqua Community College

Prime example how lessons are not learned.

But if they all had guns no one would get shot cos you know, yeah...

[Annoyed]

And it will never stop happening. There will always be random nut jobs with a desire to take out their frustrations on innocent people even in the healthiest societies. And ours isn't all that healthy right now.

Taking away one tool used to do it will only result in those nuts using other tools.

I'm quite sure that anyone reading this, if they so desired, would be able to come up with a way to kill a number of people at a time. It's not that hard to do.

Banning guns, as I'm sure we'll hear calls for, just changes the tool, it does nothing to solve the problem.

[jelgate]

*shoots Ukko in the knee*

I thought he was a deer

[SoulReaver]

And it happened... again...

Oregon shooting: Reports of 10 dead at Umpqua Community College

Prime example how lessons are not learned.

and it gets worse: in that country the SS kill even more unarmed innocents statistically plus they don't get punished (check out a recent one Diaz Zeferino) - looks like the guys in blue need some serious gun control

[Annoyed]

and it gets worse: in that country the SS kill even more unarmed innocents statistically plus they don't get punished (check out a recent one Diaz Zeferino) - looks like the guys in blue need some serious gun control

Oh, you mean the guys in blue who put today's nutjob down?

[Ukko]

And it will never stop happening. There will always be random nut jobs with a desire to take out their frustrations on innocent people even in the healthiest societies. And ours isn't all that healthy right now.

Taking away one tool used to do it will only result in those nuts using other tools.

I'm quite sure that anyone reading this, if they so desired, would be able to come up with a way to kill a number of people at a time. It's not that hard to do.

Banning guns, as I'm sure we'll hear calls for, just changes the tool, it does nothing to solve the problem.

Other "tools" are far easier to run away from than bullets and require a person to get in much closer to do the killing.

*shoots Ukko in the knee*

I thought he was a deer

My long jump career is over. I only have one option left. *Drinks booze*

[Pharaoh Hamenthotep]

And it will never stop happening. There will always be random nut jobs with a desire to take out their frustrations on innocent people even in the healthiest societies. And ours isn't all that healthy right now.

Taking away one tool used to do it will only result in those nuts using other tools.

I'm quite sure that anyone reading this, if they so desired, would be able to come up with a way to kill a number of people at a time. It's not that hard to do.

Banning guns, as I'm sure we'll hear calls for, just changes the tool, it does nothing to solve the problem.

You make it sound like a natural disaster

There was nothing anyone could do! It was like a tornado of bullets just hit the building! If only the windows were made of bulletproof glass!

Anyone can buy a gun, but it seems like training to use them responsibly is optional.

[jelgate]

Its a more noble calling Ukko