RE: OAP drivers: a liability?
Discussion
This is something that is very close to my heart....
December 23rd 2011, I was traveling to one of our offices in Bristol on my motorbike, following an M3 on a dual carriage way.
A 90+ year old gent in a fiesta, went to cross the carriage way (at a crossing point) when the M3 was around two seconds from impact. I missed the first impact between the two cars, but the fiesta was spun toward me and I went in at about 40 mph.
I received a broken shoulder, wrist, 5 ribs, punctured lung, severed ACL within the knee, serious liver laceration, kidney and adrenal gland damage.
I spent Christmas in intensive care, but worse than that, spent the immediate time after the crash not knowing if I was to see my family again (inc young kids), as I was not knocked out...
Unfortunately the elderly man didn't make it. (The M3 was written off).
The elderly man pulled up to the junction, stopped and then not seeing the M3 or me (with lights on) pulled out right into our path. Age has to be the main factor here.
Speaking to the police, the crash investigator said it is getting worse and worse out there, in terms of incidents of poor driving linked to age.
So thats my story, I'm alive, but I would be interested in campaigning for this law to be brought into force.... It nearly wrecked my life (I will be somewhat damaged for good from this), that of my family and of course that of the deceased also... I think if the authorities had of tested him, they may have saved us all from this..
Chris Bates
December 23rd 2011, I was traveling to one of our offices in Bristol on my motorbike, following an M3 on a dual carriage way.
A 90+ year old gent in a fiesta, went to cross the carriage way (at a crossing point) when the M3 was around two seconds from impact. I missed the first impact between the two cars, but the fiesta was spun toward me and I went in at about 40 mph.
I received a broken shoulder, wrist, 5 ribs, punctured lung, severed ACL within the knee, serious liver laceration, kidney and adrenal gland damage.
I spent Christmas in intensive care, but worse than that, spent the immediate time after the crash not knowing if I was to see my family again (inc young kids), as I was not knocked out...
Unfortunately the elderly man didn't make it. (The M3 was written off).
The elderly man pulled up to the junction, stopped and then not seeing the M3 or me (with lights on) pulled out right into our path. Age has to be the main factor here.
Speaking to the police, the crash investigator said it is getting worse and worse out there, in terms of incidents of poor driving linked to age.
So thats my story, I'm alive, but I would be interested in campaigning for this law to be brought into force.... It nearly wrecked my life (I will be somewhat damaged for good from this), that of my family and of course that of the deceased also... I think if the authorities had of tested him, they may have saved us all from this..
Chris Bates
I'll point you to my post.
I know kids are the issue too, but "doddering old biddies" in heavy cars, doing silly things can wreck lives (including their own)
I know kids are the issue too, but "doddering old biddies" in heavy cars, doing silly things can wreck lives (including their own)
TwigtheWonderkid said:
If you stopped everyone over 70 from driving, it would have virtually no effect on the numbers killed and seriously injured on the roads.
On the other hand, if you increased the minimum age for driving from 17 to 25, you'd reduce the death and injury toll by 75%.
We all laugh at the occasional old biddy on the news who goes the wrong way round the M25, but on a day to day basis older drivers aren't the problem, younger drivers are.
If you're going to spend money on retests and extra training, spend it on the cause of the problem!!
On the other hand, if you increased the minimum age for driving from 17 to 25, you'd reduce the death and injury toll by 75%.
We all laugh at the occasional old biddy on the news who goes the wrong way round the M25, but on a day to day basis older drivers aren't the problem, younger drivers are.
If you're going to spend money on retests and extra training, spend it on the cause of the problem!!
Edited by cris9964 on Tuesday 13th March 13:57
I can't begin to imagine how the DSA system would cope with the sheer number of people requiring a re-test if this was the course of action decided upon.
However, I see no reason why a 5 yearly medical for drivers over the age of 50 to determine fitness to drive would not work. I have to do this as a C+E licence holder (HGV), and I would think it reasonably easy to extend this to all drivers.
However, I see no reason why a 5 yearly medical for drivers over the age of 50 to determine fitness to drive would not work. I have to do this as a C+E licence holder (HGV), and I would think it reasonably easy to extend this to all drivers.
Completely agree. There needs to be much tougher rules on OAP's. My gran is driving and is now 92. She is having more frequent moments, pretty much wrote her car off a couple of months ago with an another moment as she calls them.....we have tried reasoning with her, but she is adament she is safe. We disagree but the other side of the family, who live locally back her up. Her local doctor said she was fine so we have no case to answer....but for how long will she be safe? Will her next incident kill her, or worse still some poor unsuspecting sole?
World is a mad made place with regulations for just about everything, apart from strict stuff on things that can kill you!
World is a mad made place with regulations for just about everything, apart from strict stuff on things that can kill you!
I feel that everyone (regardless of age) should be required to have eyesight, reactions etc tested every few years. A fail would see the licence revoked, pass and you can keep driving.
Also anyone who causes an accident should be required to have a refresher course of some description to ensure that they are competent.
The theory/hazard perception test could also be required every few years.
The main thing is that it should be the same for everyone.
Also anyone who causes an accident should be required to have a refresher course of some description to ensure that they are competent.
The theory/hazard perception test could also be required every few years.
The main thing is that it should be the same for everyone.
"So what do you think? Mandatory courses sound like a good idea? Or does the government need to go further still?"
Couldn't agree more. My mother suffered from Alzheimer’s and she so nearly killed several other road users driving around roundabouts the wrong way, pulling out on oncoming traffic without batting an eyelid. Its sad but it needs doing.
How to tell when it's time to hang up the car keys
Couldn't agree more. My mother suffered from Alzheimer’s and she so nearly killed several other road users driving around roundabouts the wrong way, pulling out on oncoming traffic without batting an eyelid. Its sad but it needs doing.
How to tell when it's time to hang up the car keys
AIB facts on older drivers. The over 70s are as much of a risk as the under 30s, but unlike the under 30s are getting worse not better as time goes by.
http://www.abi.org.uk/Publications/24940.pdf
http://www.abi.org.uk/Publications/24940.pdf
cris9964 said:
I'll point you to my post.
I know kids are the issue too, but "doddering old biddies" in heavy cars, doing silly things can wreck lives (including their own)
There will come a day when you, and I, are those 'doddering old biddies'. I hope that no one to carry political favour tries to take our right away.I know kids are the issue too, but "doddering old biddies" in heavy cars, doing silly things can wreck lives (including their own)
Edited by cris9964 on Tuesday 13th March 13:57
To anyone who is feeling that older drivers should be forcibly removed from the road, I hope that you one day have your license removed for the very excuse you are saying are 'valid reasons'.
If you don't like old people on the road? Take the train. Simple as that.
G4HKS said:
My mother suffered from Alzheimer’s and she so nearly killed several other road users driving around roundabouts the wrong way, pulling out on oncoming traffic without batting an eyelid. Its sad but it needs doing.
I'm really sorry to hear about your mother, Alzheimer's is a terrible horrible thing to endure. But, when my Uncle was going the same way, we took his keys off him. His Doctor told him to stop driving, he ignored him (or forgot he had been told), he had had one accident which may have signalled the start of his degeneration but at the time he was undiagnosed. I think it's too easy to call for the government to do something about it, it should be collective responsibility if your relative is not fit to drive, stop them. It won't be easy for you, they will inevitably be unhappy about it but would you rather they killed themselves or worse, perhaps a little kiddie on a zebra crossing?
After a certain age people should be made to take a course to deem if they meet the current standards that new drivers have to, to pass a test.
I have had a few near misses, the latest of which was very nearly being run down whilst on my bike this weekend, she old lady cut me up so close she hit the kerb in front of me... she does now have a nice dent in the rear as I kicked it.
I have also been witness whilst following my friends granmother who reversed back round a roundabout because hse missed her turn off and didn't think anything wrong with it when I asked her what she was thinking...
Some old people are okay to drive, but the ones that can barely walk up steps or open a jar of pickles shouldn't be allowed to drive for everyones safety.
I have had a few near misses, the latest of which was very nearly being run down whilst on my bike this weekend, she old lady cut me up so close she hit the kerb in front of me... she does now have a nice dent in the rear as I kicked it.
I have also been witness whilst following my friends granmother who reversed back round a roundabout because hse missed her turn off and didn't think anything wrong with it when I asked her what she was thinking...
Some old people are okay to drive, but the ones that can barely walk up steps or open a jar of pickles shouldn't be allowed to drive for everyones safety.
Absolutely. And If i'm not fit to drive, can't or won't regulate myself, then I would expect society to do it for me...
if I'm venturing out on to the road without the capabilities to drive safely, I would value my life and that of others more greatly than the perceived freedom the car gives me. (Drink/drug driving argument could be used to the same effect here)
I used the term "doddering old biddies" not to be offensive, but the term as used by other posters gives an impression of harmless individuals going about their business. Actually you put a person without enough of their faculties to drive sensibly behind the wheel and their is nothing "doddering" about them.
This line of getting people off the road who are not able/wont drive safely goes for all parts of society, but this thread was about OAP's and I have had a very bad experience at the hands of one of them.
if I'm venturing out on to the road without the capabilities to drive safely, I would value my life and that of others more greatly than the perceived freedom the car gives me. (Drink/drug driving argument could be used to the same effect here)
I used the term "doddering old biddies" not to be offensive, but the term as used by other posters gives an impression of harmless individuals going about their business. Actually you put a person without enough of their faculties to drive sensibly behind the wheel and their is nothing "doddering" about them.
This line of getting people off the road who are not able/wont drive safely goes for all parts of society, but this thread was about OAP's and I have had a very bad experience at the hands of one of them.
gck303 said:
There will come a day when you, and I, are those 'doddering old biddies'. I hope that no one to carry political favour tries to take our right away.
To anyone who is feeling that older drivers should be forcibly removed from the road, I hope that you one day have your license removed for the very excuse you are saying are 'valid reasons'.
If you don't like old people on the road? Take the train. Simple as that.
To anyone who is feeling that older drivers should be forcibly removed from the road, I hope that you one day have your license removed for the very excuse you are saying are 'valid reasons'.
If you don't like old people on the road? Take the train. Simple as that.
gck303 said:
There will come a day when you, and I, are those 'doddering old biddies'. I hope that no one to carry political favour tries to take our right away.
To anyone who is feeling that older drivers should be forcibly removed from the road, I hope that you one day have your license removed for the very excuse you are saying are 'valid reasons'.
If you don't like old people on the road? Take the train. Simple as that.
So noone should loose there licence no matter how unsafe they are?To anyone who is feeling that older drivers should be forcibly removed from the road, I hope that you one day have your license removed for the very excuse you are saying are 'valid reasons'.
If you don't like old people on the road? Take the train. Simple as that.
PaulMoor said:
gck303 said:
There will come a day when you, and I, are those 'doddering old biddies'. I hope that no one to carry political favour tries to take our right away.
To anyone who is feeling that older drivers should be forcibly removed from the road, I hope that you one day have your license removed for the very excuse you are saying are 'valid reasons'.
If you don't like old people on the road? Take the train. Simple as that.
So noone should loose there licence no matter how unsafe they are?To anyone who is feeling that older drivers should be forcibly removed from the road, I hope that you one day have your license removed for the very excuse you are saying are 'valid reasons'.
If you don't like old people on the road? Take the train. Simple as that.
Elderly doesn't equal unsafe.
Your link quoted earlier is another ill informed opinion.
The only link I can find to the statistics regarding driver safety and age, were american crash statistics showing the most likely people to die on the road were the 15-24 age group and the over 75. The theory behind this was the recklessness of the 15-24 age group and the relative frailty of the over 75s.
If you want to age assess driving you should start it on the 15-24 and >75.
However IMHO the whole thread is anecdotal rubbish. If you want a sensible discussion about targeting retests for the most appropriate to benefit, you should insist on a re-test for anyone involved in an accident. Doing this would get the tests to the people who really needed them.
Rumblestripe said:
I'm really sorry to hear about your mother, Alzheimer's is a terrible horrible thing to endure.
But, when my Uncle was going the same way, we took his keys off him. His Doctor told him to stop driving, he ignored him (or forgot he had been told), he had had one accident which may have signalled the start of his degeneration but at the time he was undiagnosed. I think it's too easy to call for the government to do something about it, it should be collective responsibility if your relative is not fit to drive, stop them. It won't be easy for you, they will inevitably be unhappy about it but would you rather they killed themselves or worse, perhaps a little kiddie on a zebra crossing?
My mother almost killed my step father (seriously) trying the get the car keys off him on many occassions. It is a very difficult thing to do and the thought of losing the "right?" to drive for me seems unthinkable. However, the thought of killing or badly injuring someone because I am incapable of controlling a vehicle safely is even more worrying. My time will come I am pretty sure of that. Anyway, off to do some driving, whilst I still can!But, when my Uncle was going the same way, we took his keys off him. His Doctor told him to stop driving, he ignored him (or forgot he had been told), he had had one accident which may have signalled the start of his degeneration but at the time he was undiagnosed. I think it's too easy to call for the government to do something about it, it should be collective responsibility if your relative is not fit to drive, stop them. It won't be easy for you, they will inevitably be unhappy about it but would you rather they killed themselves or worse, perhaps a little kiddie on a zebra crossing?
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff