Posted by Legal_American on March 26, 2008 at 8:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)

This is two more sad fatalities that shouldn't have happen. The pressure to save gas is making more Americans buy small cars. It's a double edge sword that hurts the USA in two ways. We have virtually shut down Detroit and took away multiple jobs because it has a ripple affect on the economy and we substitute our safety for gas mileage when we drive in these little aluminum cans in which we continuously send American dollars to Japan and other foreign countries. I refuse to buy anything but a full size American made automobile. I wish more people could realize what we are leaving to our grand kids and how we are shooting ourselves in the foot.

Posted by rebel123 on March 26, 2008 at 9:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)

These accidents were not caused by small cars, they were caused by the drivers' errors. If everyone drove small cars (even small American cars), the problem of getting your (possibly American) small car crushed by a giant road hog American SUV would be eliminated. Though likely neither of these accidents would have resulted in anything different considering the circumstances. The article doesn't say what kind of cars they were driving, but you get t-boned by a motor home, you're gonna get the worst end of the deal.....likewise, drive off the road and down 14', same thing.

Posted by suzy0601 on March 26, 2008 at 9:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)

How these two tragedies are related to the price of gas is beyond me. I don't like paying outrageous prices at the pump either, but chalking these deaths up to the size of the car? How about the actual cause of the accident.

Posted by YaitsmeJennieG on March 26, 2008 at 9:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)

It is sad thing that occurred however i think that age was a big factor
there are ALOT of older drivers that still hold valid drivers licenses that should no longer have them DMV needs to test a little bit more

Posted by mantiger808 on March 26, 2008 at 9:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I think you folks are missing the common denominator in these accidents. Both drivers are very old and probably shouldn't have been behind the wheel of a car. It's not about gas prices or the size of cars, it's about testing elderly drivers more frequently to insure that they are fit to drive on our highways. I don't mean to sound insensitive, but there are thousands of elderly drivers who are like time bombs on the street because they are not in control of the cars that they are driving. Many don't have the reflexes to act or react in driving situations. I can speak on this personally because my father was one of those drivers. A proud man, he insisted on driving and purchased a new car every year, well into his 80's. We finally had to step in and get his doctor to declare him unfit to drive and take away his license, after two accidents driving the wrong way down one way streets. Fortunately nobody was seriously injured. Families and/or authorities need to help keep these drivers off the roads to alleviate this growing problem.

Posted by bl0ndflame7 on March 26, 2008 at 12:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

If you want to discuss business and economics as opposed to the tragic circumstances of these accidents, go to the business section and comment on the state of things there...your argument is weak and has no logic to back it up.

Posted by SummerSun on March 26, 2008 at 12:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

How true, it has nothing to do with the size of cars. However, gas hogging SUV's with teeny little people driving them are an equal hazard to motorists on the highway as the elderly. After all, most of these little people should be sitting in booster seats to see over the steering wheel. I'm so sorry for the families of these two people. But we need to be proactive with elders in our families, when it's time to take away their driving privileges.

Just be careful out there!

Posted by TimeArrow on March 26, 2008 at 12:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

There are many unlicensed/uninsured drivers who cause accidents ... and then leave the scene. I'd be for locking up any unlicensed/uninsured drivers along with impounding their vehicles which is already supposed to happen. Unlicensed/uninsured drivers are a far greater problem on California roads than seniors. Older drivers do know when they can no longer drive safely. At that time, they need to turn in their keys.

Posted by rebel123 on March 26, 2008 at 12:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

TimeArrow....I beg to differ. Some seniors may acknowledge when they shouldn't drive anymore. Many, many don't stop soon enough and are slow to realize that they should not be behind the wheel. I would also like to see the statistics behind your posit that unlicensed/uninsured drivers cause or are involved in more accidents than senior citizens. The law already impounds vehicles if unlicensed or uninsured drivers are stopped while driving.

Posted by SpiderWoman on March 26, 2008 at 12:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

While there are valid points to what everyone is saying I think there is a time and a place to discuss small cars vs. SUVs, the economy and elderly drivers and I don't think that here is the place . . . maybe try the forum. Two people lost their lives yesterday and these posts should reflect that. My thoughts and prayers go out to their families.

Posted by mantiger808 on March 26, 2008 at 1:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

SpiderWoman, while I don't think vehicle size is relative to this article, the issue of elderly drivers is right on point. The fact that both of these drivers are ELDERLY certainly gives cause for discussion. Of course it is tragic that two lives were lost...it is only natural that we look for reasons why this happened to prevent it in the future...I think this site has a mediator, so calm down.
TimeArrow, there are many uninsured/unlicensed drivers but most accidents they are involved in are minor. Contrary, accidents involving elderly are generally more serious. Let's not forget the 84 year old man that plowed into the crowd at the open market down in LA, killing ten people and didn't even realize what he had done. This has been an increasing trend across the nation and is an issue that needs to be addressed. What better time and place to discuss this, in light of the tragedies that ocurred yesterday.

Posted by bobbi439 on March 26, 2008 at 2:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

What about all the YOUNG drivers that speed and cut people off at every opportunity they get. Especially in the little souped up pocket rockets. Maybe older drivers do need to be tested more frequently but younger drivers need proper training from the get go. When we were in school we had a full semester of drivers training that included watching films that depicted horrible accidents. Nowadays kids only have a few sessions with a driving school before they are eligible to obtain their license. It's terrifying on the freeway anymore and when a speeding vehicle comes up beside you and swerves into the next lane to avoid other drivers it can be so distracting that anyone could lose control.

Posted by VenturaDiane on March 26, 2008 at 4:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

People! How would you feel had either of the people killed, or the woman injured, been your parents and you read the posts that on here? These were ACCIDENTS! Anyone, no matter how young or old, and no matter what type of car they are driving, could be involved in the same type of accidents described in the article. My heart goes out to the families of those killed and the woman hurt.

Posted by Andrew_Smolik on March 26, 2008 at 4:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

“Northbound Highway 101 just north of Camarillo Springs Road” is the downhill sharp left curve at the bottom of the Conejo Grade. “Drift[ing] across all lanes of traffic... over the shoulder” at such a location would inherently mean that the driver failed to negotiate the left curve from the leftmost (#1) lane.

Posted by VenturaFreak on March 26, 2008 at 5:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Regarding the comment "gas hogging SUV's with teeny little people driving them are an equal hazard to motorists on the highway as the elderly." from SummerSun. Apparently you play into the stereo types of what people should and should not drive because of there size. Large vehicles of today do not require "booster seats" for those of us that are short to see over the wheel.
The problem is obviously due to the skill or lack of skill of the driver. Point blank. I feel sorry for those that past away in both of those accidents yesterday...

Posted by svwl on March 26, 2008 at 8:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I don't know if it had an impact here for sure, but there is no doubt that the older you get, the slower your reflexes are.

A step toward making the streets safer for all drivers is something that is done in Japan. Beginning drivers are given a sticker to put on their car that is green and yellow and designed like a giant tear drop. They need to have that on their car for one year after they get their license. Also, elderly drivers have a sticker on their cars that they are required to affix once they reach a certain age. It is the same shape, but brown and yellow.
Those stickers alert other drivers that the person driving the car might make abrupt, illogical driving decisions and to be on the defensive. Something like that here wouldn't solve all the problems, but it might be a step in the right direction.

Posted by 818at805 on March 27, 2008 at 3:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Or better yet how about everyone on this thread is a moron for thinking they know a thing or two about seniors and cars. I am 83 and I drive every day and I dont have slow reflexes its all you young idiots that drive way to fast. I am supposed to have better reflexes because you think my freeway and street is a race track. Well go to hell all of you. Again the 805 being an idiot.

Posted by spokenit on March 29, 2008 at 7:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)

yup idots that drive way to fast! But drifting in other people's right away is not to helpful either. Tragic accidents,,, stop blaming the young the old and the ugly people. These people are gone from our earth and their families are sad and your posts are selfish and hurtful and you should do something better with your time!