Driver, 85, pins boy in NA. Headline July 1

[Roy Clark Watson]

My worst fear has been realized. OVEREACTION [Def: To respond more forcibly or emotionally than is justified]. This in my opinion is what the Sun Chronicle and Law Enforcement agencies are about to do. Should this accident have happened? Of course not, but place your self in the same position as the driver of this vehicle. The Macy's parking garage is very poorly lighted and the weather the area has been experiencing of late would make it even darker. Backing a verhicle is always a challenge, in the best of conditions. Where was the Mother when this occurred? Shouldn't she have been watching for the position of her Son and cautioned him to be aware of the backing car?.

This is an accident that could have happened to any of us - young or old. Let the Law not jump to conclusions and let age be the deciding factor of any accident. The revoking of this drivers license was wrong.

[ricknkim]

Allowing elderly people to drive without some form of re-certification is wrong.

[Bob McKeon]

Someday people will realize that there is no such thing as an "accident" when it comes to hitting a person or an object with a motor vehicle. It's referred to as a "crash" and police must investigate it and fill out a "crash report". The wording was changed to "crash report" from "accident report" several years ago.

Accidents involving automobiles aren't "acts of God" as some people may try to tell you. They are caused by negligence and the responsible party will be held accountable no matter what age they are. It doesn't matter whether you're seventeen or eighty-seven. If you were negligent, you will be held accountable in the eyes of the law.

Police Officers must take whatever action is necessary to insure an incident is thoroughly investigated and justice is served. A party involved in an incident may or not be charged, but if he or she is, they will be brought before a Clerk Magistrate or Judge to answer to those charges.

In a criminal case, you must be found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, or found not guilty. Civil cases are decided on a mere perponderance that you were at least partially negligent in causing the incident. You could be not guilty of the criminal charges but found responsible in the civil case.

What it boils down to is you will be held responsible for anything you do that causes harm to others or is a violation of the law. The media likes to sensationalize news reporting and older drivers seem to be the hot topic after many recent crashes involving the elderly. There were probably many similar incidents involving teenage drivers but that isn't the hot topic right now.

A Police Officer has to make a decision as a result of his or her investigation. If the evidence gathered indicates a person was negligent, or may have been negligent, then that Officer must take certain steps to see that justice is served. It is up to a court of law to decide if in fact the person is responsible.