[simpilot]

I like the sarcasm. Florida's $10,000 minimum liability would barely pay for a crushed fender or an emergency room visit.

[Chatbrat]

More info, my wife sketched a picture of the accident:
1) very heavy "burning rubber" marks- the car was in reverse all the time
2) wheels were turned to the left
3) hit 4 cars parked on the left side
4) hit 2 cars parked on the right side as it continued to circle
5) a Publix employee was very lucky , he jumped out of the way in the nick of time
Total distance covered way for than 120'

Another observation, besides being elderly, the woman was described as being very,petite--another example of a driver operating a vehicle that doesn't fit them as they age

[Bay Kid]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

This whole thread is very sad. I am sure that the 85 year old lady was once a twenty year old with excellent driving skills and a fifty year old who was very careful while driving and a sixty year old who could still turn her neck to check behind her.

We all will reach a point when someone takes our keys away if we are unable to see for ourselves that it isn't wise to drive anymore. I see no cause to belabor the obvious point here.

I hope no one was hurt. I hope she did not have a medical episode, such as a surprising new heart symptom. I hope it never happens to anyone reading this thread. Or to me.

One of my Grandmother's, then my Mother's, greatest fears. So sad.

[NotGolfer]

We have a camera in our car....not sure if all are like ours but we've found it's hard to view anything during the day due to glare etc. I rarely use it but crane my neck to really make sure nothing is back there. My observations are in backing out that folks (pedestrians) don't hesitate to keep walking despite the fact the car is 2/3 of the way into the turn so one has to be REALLY cautious.

That little lady isn't alone in being tiny and the car too big. Observations are there are many here who appear to be looking through the steering wheel and not over it. I do have to wonder if this one didn't have some kind of medical event....OR....got flustered and made it worse.

[manaboutown]

About a year ago I bought a new vehicle having the backup and overhead view cameras, warning beeper and so on. These features came with the package I wanted. At that time I thought the cameras and beepers were superfluous. But, I soon came to appreciate how helpful they are. I own an older vehicle in great shape but now when I drive it I miss the cameras, bells and whistles the new vehicle has which I have come to rely upon. Personally, I feel these features add to safety, especially from fender benders in parking lots.

In the instant case I do not feel cameras would have helped. Her foot must have jammed down on the throttle for whatever reason. Glad no one was hurt!

[twoplanekid]

Originally Posted by manaboutown

About a year ago I bought a new vehicle having the backup and overhead view cameras, warning beeper and so on. These features came with the package I wanted. At that time I thought the cameras and beepers were superfluous. But, I soon came to appreciate how helpful they are. I own an older vehicle in great shape but now when I drive it I miss the cameras, bells and whistles the new vehicle has which I have come to rely upon. Personally, I feel these features add to safety, especially from fender benders in parking lots.

In the instant case I do not feel cameras would have helped. Her foot must have jammed down on the throttle for whatever reason. Glad no one was hurt!

The new backup alert sensors on our 2017 Honda has saved me from disaster many times since it's purchase. That feature alone is almost worth the cost of a new car!

[coffeebean]

When ever I can, I do not pull my car into a parking spot that I must back out of. I am a very firm believer of "pulling through" and parking my car. Come time to leave the spot, I pull out of the spot. It is like backing into your driveway and pulling out into the street. You have full visibility forward, left and to right as you slowly leave the parking spot and I never need to crane my neck when pulling out of a parking spot this way. I've been pulling through into parking spots for many many years. I've noticed in recent years, many many more drivers are parking their cars by pulling through as I do.

[jnieman]

Originally Posted by Chatbrat

More info, my wife sketched a picture of the accident:
1) very heavy "burning rubber" marks- the car was in reverse all the time
2) wheels were turned to the left
3) hit 4 cars parked on the left side
4) hit 2 cars parked on the right side as it continued to circle
5) a Publix employee was very lucky , he jumped out of the way in the nick of time
Total distance covered way for than 120'

Another observation, besides being elderly, the woman was described as being very,petite--another example of a driver operating a vehicle that doesn't fit them as they age

Was anyone hurt?

[Chatbrat]

NO--luck was on everyone's side

[bob47]

Originally Posted by coffeebean

When ever I can, I do not pull my car into a parking spot that I must back out of. I am a very firm believer of "pulling through" and parking my car. Come time to leave the spot, I pull out of the spot. It is like backing into your driveway and pulling out into the street. You have full visibility forward, left and to right as you slowly leave the parking spot and I never need to crane my neck when pulling out of a parking spot this way. I've been pulling through into parking spots for many many years. I've noticed in recent years, many many more drivers are parking their cars by pulling through as I do.

I agree. I also find it easier to back into a parking place when I arrive (if there is no other traffic) than to back out when I leave because when you arrive you have a perfect view of all things happening in that traffic lane.

[EPutnam1863]

Originally Posted by Chatbrat

More info, my wife sketched a picture of the accident:
1) very heavy "burning rubber" marks- the car was in reverse all the time
2) wheels were turned to the left
3) hit 4 cars parked on the left side
4) hit 2 cars parked on the right side as it continued to circle
5) a Publix employee was very lucky , he jumped out of the way in the nick of time
Total distance covered way for than 120'

Another observation, besides being elderly, the woman was described as being very,petite--another example of a driver operating a vehicle that doesn't fit them as they age

Sounds like she inadvertently put her gear in R instead of D and became flustered. Or something fell on the gear screen, blocking the shift from shifting to D.

[EPutnam1863]

Originally Posted by bob47

I agree. I also find it easier to back into a parking place when I arrive (if there is no other traffic) than to back out when I leave because when you arrive you have a perfect view of all things happening in that traffic lane.

Just as long as you don't take up two spaces...

[EPutnam1863]

Originally Posted by twoplanekid

The new backup alert sensors on our 2017 Honda has saved me from disaster many times since it's purchase. That feature alone is almost worth the cost of a new car!

I think for some reason she could not shift gears from R to D. Probably something blocked the shift lever - her wallet or purse?

[MorTech]

Originally Posted by coffeebean

When ever I can, I do not pull my car into a parking spot that I must back out of. I am a very firm believer of "pulling through" and parking my car.

I haven't backed out of a parking lot spot since my early 30s I will park out further when I have to just to be able to pull thru. It is always dangerous to back out regardless how old you are or the range-of-travel of your neck.

[coffeebean]

Originally Posted by MorTech

I haven't backed out of a parking lot spot since my early 30s I will park out further when I have to just to be able to pull thru. It is always dangerous to back out regardless how old you are or the range-of-travel of your neck.

I also will go further away in lot to find a spot I can pull through and park. I don't mind at all to be safer when leaving the parking spot.