Elderly driver given 6-year prison term over fatal car accident

This is tragic from any perspective you look at it, and to avoid so I propose the licenses are forcibly taken away and the public transport services become more accessible and friendly for the elderly people. No other way to stop this from occurring again and again and again...

Daniel, young people are more dangerous than the elderly so how about removing their licenses as well. Oh and men are more dangerous than women, maybe women only roads would be the best option? Your idea is not practical.

You are looking at the wrong person because I would remove the private cars (and property in due time) altogether, leaving the public transportation to professional and responsible people.

This is a case when younger are not at fault, because younger means healthier. The older you get the more prone you are to awareness and coordination impairing afflictions, I am not making this up both you and I are born into this setting. Of course for now it is impossible to keep the checks on their health regularly to being able to prevent any mental or physical deterioration to affect their driving skills. Thus the only choice to protect people from ELDERLY people accidents due to decaying physiques (denying which is denying reality). Would you be able to tell the parents or the children of those who died that "young people are more dangerous than the elderly"? to try to make them come in terms with what might happen to others next? I would not.

Daniel:

You are looking at the wrong person because I would remove the private cars (and property in due time) altogether, leaving the public transportation to professional and responsible people.

Try living in the suburbs with kids with activities or travel into the countryside or mountains where they don't have the luxury of trains. I like public transportation as much as any other person, but all together getting rid of private cars is unreasonable.

OK, on topic now: I have seen people get less of a sentence for DUI related deaths. For someone 75, this could very well be a death sentence. So, if you think it is not long enough...

RIP to victims.

good, its a little short but hopefully this will send a message to other elderly drivers who think they are still able to drive. hopefully this killer will never leave jail...

6 years for 2 lives what a joke..

For what is in the end an accident, I guess it's pretty normal. Plus, the guy is 75 and will certainly die in there, if that makes you feel better...

I think South Park explained it best : taking licenses away may be too much, but people also must accept the fact that they are less and less fit to drive as they get older.

Good old Japan -- a human life is worth but a couple of years. I remember this case, and it's not enough, epileptic seizure OR Alzheimer's. It's pretty clear he should not have been driving, and if I'm not mistaken he lied about his condition after a medical diagnosis, or at least I remember the news saying he knew it was a medical risk. It should be life in prison, whether or not the five years actually means that.

As I commented previously, at around 65, drivers have to renew their license every year.

OK, on topic now: I have seen people get less of a sentence for DUI related deaths. For someone 75, this could very well be a death sentence. So, if you think it is not long enough.

Then a 60 year sentence makes no difference other than the sense of justice for the two deaths, which is important. Old people are killing people everyday in Japan via the lethal weapon of their car. Making the kids

of disabled drivers responsible as well for those deaths would end this practice overnight. There is legal precedent for such findings in Japan.

Zurcronium, you don't often see long sentences for traffic accidents unless it is an intentional act. The reason we are having this conversation is because he is elderly and claimed to have epilepsy which the judge thought was mostly likely NOT the cause. Why you are talking about disabled drivers is beyond me. Even the defense lawyer said it was likely caused by dementia. I am not saying he should NOT be punished, though. As for the kids of 'elderly' drivers(I think you meant this), it is extremely difficult to get a grown person to stop driving. My wife's dad is 80 and a big guy. I can't simply sit on him and force him to the police station to give up his license. We are working on him though. We just bought a 7 seater so they no longer have to drive when we go to a restaurant together or on any trips. We are also recommending bus tours instead as well. Yes, I think the children should encourage, but unless they are legal dependents, I don't think it is fair to blame the children with an all encompassing law. Case by case is best.