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Hints and what we would like the RSWarrior members to do

The family is pursuing the aspect of changing the driving laws for older people. They are writing newspapers, TV stations and basically conducting a public awareness campaign to bring attention to this issue.   Details can be found in the "What the family is doing" link to the left.

The family and I feel that it would be beneficial for the RSWarrior forum members to write the judge in the same capacity.  In other words lets make him/her focus on this particular case.  Lets make him aware of what happened and why this is so tragic.  Remember, according to Kathy Schmidt,  "On the accident report the witnesses state that the old man didn't even know he hit Brian."   And yet, he continues to drive.

Mailing the Judge

When mailing letters to the judge please use an envelope that will get attention.  Orange or florescent color envelopes can be purchased at stationary sores or card shops.  Also please be sure that the envelope is an odd size.  At minimum use an odd size envelope and do something to it that will command attention.  Color it with markers, paint or something.  Why?  Hopefully, the judge in the case will be getting a lot of letters from us.  In the courthouse these oddly shaped and colored envelopes will create a buzz.  "Why is Judge xxxx getting so many colored envelopes?"  This will equate to pressure on him/her.  He will know people are watching.  The one thing judges do understand is pressure with regard to reelection.  The judge will know his peers and supervisors are aware that something is up in his/her courtroom.  Hopefully this will pressure him/her to consider the case more carefully.  In addition it will stand out among the piles of mail judges usually get.

Letter Points and Suggestions

This is your own letter and we request that you write it in your own words.  However, here are some points you may want to consider while writing your letter: 

Please do not:

	Use profanity
	Use threats
	Call the judge names
	etc.

This is an emotional issue but we need to limit the risk of being stereotyped as "Bikers".

 

	Make the judge realize that Brian was a person.  Tell the judge why you miss Brian.
	Explain why you think this tragedy was senseless and that it can be prevented in the future.
	Tell the judge why you feel a 6 month license suspension and a $1000 fine is inadequate.
	Put some responsibility on the judge for his upcoming ruling.  For example you might want to say something like, "If you let this man return to driving without adequate testing, you are risking the lives of every citizen. You are the only one that can keep this man from accidentally killing again."
	Let the judge know you belong to a group of concerned and organized citizens who will be watching the courts record with regard to accidents of this nature in the future.  Hopefully we can get Kathy to report to the forum as her campaign progresses.
	Tell judge you are disappointed that he has already put a loaded weapon onto the streets by allowing this man to continue driving while his case is pending.
	Ask the judge to suspend the driving license of the accused until he can be properly tested.
	Define for the judge what you feel properly tested means.  Night driving, parking, expressway/interstate  driving, etc.
	Ask the judge to consider if the accused was under the influence of any prescription drugs such as valium.   Many drugs commonly taken by senior citizens come with a warning on the bottle stating that you should not operate equipment. Here is a sample warning for Valium http://www.rocheusa.com/products/valium/pi.html#WARNINGS
	Kathy has provided these links as an excellent source of information and perhaps ideas too. http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/olddrive/
	From Kathy...Another web site that I found to be very informative about elderly drivers is as follows: www.aoa.gov/research  You choose Administration on Aging, then choose search within site, then choose Mobility and Independence:

 The following is a quote from the report on Mobility and Independence:  "The concept of "safe
mobility, for life" needs much greater emphasis.  One of the most significant findings of this study is the nearly universal lack of planning - by those now elderly or those of us who hope to be older one day - concerning travel options once driving is no longer viable.  We need to educate people to consider how they will get around if and when they don't drive, and to encourage that financial and residential decisions be made with mobility issues in mind.  The counterpart of such planning, of course, is that our society also must recognize a social responsibility to ensure that mobility options are available when and where needed."  I hope that all of us reading OrianBrian's web site will be motivated for Brian's sake to promote user friendly, affordable, timely, door to door alternative transportation options for our elderly to choose from when it becomes time for them and us to give up driving for the passenger seat.  I don't want Brian's death to go unnoticed.  It was a totally preventable death.  As a society, we need to help our elderly willingly choose driving cessation rather than having it imposed on them by circumstances such as crashes or license renewal tests.  

Quoted from the report on Mobility and Independence, "Based on current rates, the number of elderly traffic fatalities will more than triple by the year 2030.  If this expected increase occurs, the number of elderly traffic fatalities in 2030 will be 35 percent greater than the toal number of alcohol-related traffic fatalities in 1995 - a fatality number that is viewed by policymakers and the public as cause for serious concern."