Is It Time to Crack Down on Elderly Drivers?

Host:

Warren Olney

Produced by:

Frances Anderton

Listen to/Watch entire show:

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The trial of 89-year-old George Russell Weller started today, more than three years after the car he was driving killed 10 people and injured 60 at a farmers' market in Santa Monica.

Three years ago, George Russell Weller told Santa Monica police officers he had no idea how his Buick LeSabre accelerated through a crowded farmers' market, killing 10 people and injuring 60 more. He also said he had no idea why the car stopped. Was the cause an extended "senior moment" or a felony crime? The CHP says the most likely explanation is "pedal error," a driver mistakenly hitting the accelerator instead of the brake. It's all too common among elderly drivers, and Weller was 85 at the time. Today he went on trial, charged with 10 counts of manslaughter by the Los Angeles District Attorney with a maximum possible prison term of 18 years.

Guests:

Susan Beckman: Vendor with the Santa Barbara Pistachio Company
Daniel Hinerfeld: resident of Santa Monica, California
Michael Piuze: Attorney representing several of the victims of the farmers' market crash
Elinor Ginzler: Director of Livable Communities, AARP

A CD copy of Which Way L.A.? is a available by calling 1.888.600.5279.
Transcripts are not available.

Underwriters

Which Way L.A.? is made possible in part by the Ralph M. Parsons Foundation, the Nathan Cummings Foundation, and the John Randolph Haynes and Dora Haynes Foundation, which supports study and research into policy issues of the Los Angeles region.

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