I think I need to take Paw Paw's driver's license away. How?

"All of his accidents"!! Let's get serious here. No amount of cameras is going to prevent the inevitable. He's going to hurt himself and others. You must realise that this has to end.

This is gonna be a tough one. What kind of work does paw paw do? He's 83 and might be getting dementia. I'm sure it's never his fault, he's just fine, it all those other dumb shits etc. This is only going to get worse.

Most states have a system whereby most anyone can report a dangerous elderly driver to the state DMV and have them tested and their license revoked. Good luck with that in Louisiana. Many states don't enforce it. My experience is in WV and the politics there have rendered the statute void.

Do you have anyone to enlist in this issue. Other family, friends etc? I'm sorry to say but it might take some rough and tumble to deal with this. I'm dreading that day with my Dad but it's coming soon. I'll have to physically take the keys, disable the car and hope I have found all the guns in the house.

You can't screw around with this. If he can still reason tell him how bad he'd feel if he killed someone. If he has no idea that he is a danger to himself and others, do what has to be done.

I know a man who is in this same situation. He is 86, blind in one eye and can't see well out the other. He has no right field vision and can't turn his neck. His car has dents and bumps all over it where he bumps into things. Riding with him is terrible. He stops at stop signs by applying his brake about 10 times before he finally decides he has reached the sign. He swerves from one side of the lane to the other. One could get seasick riding with him, so I refuse to ever to it again. He almost pulled in front of a car the time I was riding with him. I said whoa! to stop him. He talks about other near accidents he has had. I have a feeling the reason that he hasn't had a serious accident is the drivers around him know how to drive.

Still it's like waiting for it to happen. I hope no one else is hurt. This man won't stay home. He goes all day long, looking for company and meals. The only thing that keeps him in is the dark, since he can't see at night. I have talked to him about moving to AL, where he could be around people without having to drive. He thinks he drives fine and wants to stay in his house. (Of course, I wonder why if he wants to stay in his house why he spends the day trying to not be there.)

I don't think his family has addressed the issue at all. They all live in other cities. I'm sure they've noticed the dents all over his car, though. Maybe they have addressed it with him, but he doesn't talk about it to others.

Yes, you can alert the DMV (public safety) about him re-testing. Chances are that he will know that you did it, but what is a family to do when it comes time to stop driving? I feel for the elder, since it is a major loss of freedom. But there are milestones in life that have to be faced. This is one we will all ultimately face if we live long enough. (It will be no problem for me, since I don't like to drive, anyway. I wish I could afford a chauffeur.)

Blaster, has he been evaluated by a doctor for dementia. His foolish decisions over these girlfriends may be coming from that. I'm sure this must upset your mother very much.

If his current doctors will not evaluate him, then you need to find another doctor and preferably one who specializes in gerontology. If he's deemed incompetent, then someone need to file for guardianship in order to take full control of his money before he gives it all away to his girlfriends. It may even be possible to get temporary guradianship once you have a diagnosis of incompetency for the sake of safe guarding his money which is also your mom's money. Please make some calls in the morning, get some appointments made and get the ball rolling.

If your mom is of sound mind, she must might be able to open a new account in her name, move all of the money there which would cut off him having money to give away.

Anonymously contact the state department responsible for motor vehicle licensing and raise the issue with them; they might agree to send him a letter requiring him to appear for a driver's test based on the recent accident(s).

Or contact the insurance company for the people involved in the accidents.

PS; can you get someone else to be the bad guy? His doc? A cop he knows? His boss or a co worker? If you're the caregiver try to be the innocent bystander as this thing goes down. With all due respect to other advice, it doesn't sound to me like this guy is gonna ride any bus or participate in ride sharing.

I am the daughter of a man who DROVE INTO A BANK and could have killed one of the employees if she would have been sitting at her desk. This will be the hardest thing you ever have to do.

This is a touchy topic form me as you can see. It is a flat miracle that more people are not killed on a daily basis from elderly who should not be driving.

Do you know the cop that he caused the last accident with? Could you enlist his help by him writing a letter that could be taken to the DMV? Somehow, you will have to find a way to get him off the road. I wish you luck and perseverence!

I live in a small town, too. The woman that would have been pinned under his truck was pregnant, about to deliver. She was at the obstetrician that morning. Every time I see her beautiful son, I get goosebumps and a SICK feeling in my stomach. Therefore but the grace of God, that child is alive. Why is it that something tragic has to happen before some of these pig headed old farts hang it up.

If he still works full time, are you prepared to drive him to and from work every day?

Before you do anything drastic, why don't you have him see his doctor about his neck stiffness and see if physical therapy could be prescribed. That might help. Also check into different rear view mirrors. I think I've seen fisheye mirrors or something like that.

Good luck!

Blaster, thanks for the update and clarifications. Depending on the age and model of his car, you might want to see if it can get retrofitted with the backup video cameras with monitors in the front between the 2 seats. I personally thought they were cumbersome, but it might be helpful for your GF.

For someone who still works at 83...well, you gotta give him credit for not giving up!

An option for his work commute might be one of the medical transports, although that would be very expensive and it doesn't really sound as if he needs it. There are also the dial-a-ride door to door small bus services of major transit authorities. If his area has any ride-sharing, that's another option, which would also give him the benefit of companionship and conversation during the car pools that would take him to and from work.