RE: OAP drivers: a liability?
Discussion
julian64 said:
Soo..... we are on a website for young enthusiastic drivers who think the elderly should have routine manditory testing.
This is despite the fact that insurance quotes for the elderly are much lower than almost any other age group.
Actualy car insurance goes up from the age of 59.This is despite the fact that insurance quotes for the elderly are much lower than almost any other age group.
Biker's Nemesis said:
And younger drivers cause more severe accidents due to being bull headed and driving beyond their abilitity.
"Statistics from the Association of British Insurers (ABI) show that older drivers have more accidents per mile than younger drivers and accidents caused by this age group are more likely to cause injury to others."www.policyexpert.co.uk/know-how/car/older-drivers/
Insurance companys have a strange habit of talking about "older drivers" as safer, whilst talking about the over 50's, as if 50 is old.
Edited by PaulMoor on Tuesday 13th March 13:09
robinessex said:
The most dangerous nut in a car is the one driving it. We have to have our cars MOT every year for safety reasons, yet not the driver !! Considering that 99% of drivers can't drive correctly (BSM qualified driving instructor by the way), It's about time ALL drivers were tested every 5yrs, and to really stir things up, graduated licenses which relate your experience and competence to the power of the car you drive. PS. 64 years old, and I can see where I'm going, it's all those bloody vegatable drivers that get in my way that's the problem!!
The trouble is that drivers are most likely to cause an accident shortly after you have finished training them and they have passed their test and been rubber stamped by the DSA as fit to drive. The risk they pose will then fall for the next forty or fifty years before it begins to climb again. I don't see the point in telling a 45 year old driver that he is a danger on the roads because he doesn't drive like a teenager, when the objective evidence of the accident stats is that while he may not be shuffling the wheel in the approved manner, he is at very much lower risk of causing an accident.
I also don't see that proving that one can concentrate and behave for half an hour is any evidence that one will continue to do so on a daily basis. I can see that a test which picks up on the frailties of age is eventually a good thing, but repeatedly retesting competent drivers? Waste of time and money.
In a world where my then 92 year old grandfather (now 94!) can retain his licence to drive when he has poor eyesight, poor hearing and poor mobility to the point where he can knock both wing mirrors off his car and not know what he's used to knock them off, something needs doing.
We ended up taking his car off him after the second mirror incident within a matter of months as he no idea if it was a cyclist or a car he'd hit. Turned out it was a skip at the side of the road!
I say put everyone through a basic psychological and physical examination every 5 years from 65 to see that they are capable of reacting to situations and operating a vehicle, with allowances made for the disabled driving adapted cars of course.
We ended up taking his car off him after the second mirror incident within a matter of months as he no idea if it was a cyclist or a car he'd hit. Turned out it was a skip at the side of the road!
I say put everyone through a basic psychological and physical examination every 5 years from 65 to see that they are capable of reacting to situations and operating a vehicle, with allowances made for the disabled driving adapted cars of course.
I think it's an excellent idea. If someone is 70 and passed their test at 17, it's been over 50 years since they had any instruction, and the roads have changed.
I'm not for an automatic ban, but something like a practical version of the "speed awareness" course I, er I mean my friend, went on would be a good refresher.
For all ages.
I'm not for an automatic ban, but something like a practical version of the "speed awareness" course I, er I mean my friend, went on would be a good refresher.
For all ages.
Big_Dog said:
Its not age thats the real problem its the inability to recognise the problems of age. So the above would help to trap that.
It's called arrogance and it goes hand in hand with ignorance.You can't argue with old, dangerous drivers.... They're always right, they always come out with "it's not a race" or "it's a limit, not a target" AND if they start to realise they are wrong, then they play the senile card by saying "oh, I don't remember". But they are NEVER wrong......
I live in an area with a high population of elderly folk and the amount of times ive had to perform an emergency stop because some old dear has pulled out of a road without looking or been stuck behind one doing 20 in a 40 is unreal!
I think there should be compulsory retests once you reach 65!
I think there should be compulsory retests once you reach 65!
The theory is sound but the logistics of it is beyond what can be managed right now.
There are already too many youngsters who want to drive but the test centres are booked up for months or there aren't enough instructors so how could the system possibly support mandatory retesting of people who already hold licences as well?
I am all for the idea that come 65 you should have to reapply for your licence and not self certify but get a doctors certificate to say that your eyesight and reactions/hand eye coordination etc are up to scratch as this wouldn't be too much of a administrative burden and won't stop people who are barely able to see past their own arm ticking a box to say they are still capable of driving.
There are already too many youngsters who want to drive but the test centres are booked up for months or there aren't enough instructors so how could the system possibly support mandatory retesting of people who already hold licences as well?
I am all for the idea that come 65 you should have to reapply for your licence and not self certify but get a doctors certificate to say that your eyesight and reactions/hand eye coordination etc are up to scratch as this wouldn't be too much of a administrative burden and won't stop people who are barely able to see past their own arm ticking a box to say they are still capable of driving.
I'm not eligable for my buss pass yet - but I passed my test 40 years ago. I would be very happy to take a test.
How about for starters, an eye test every 3-5 years and take the theory test at the same time? Start with everyone over 70 and slowly work your way down until everyone has to.
The main problem with this is it isn't politically expedient. Lots of older drivers = lots of votes = worried politicians.
My dad who is 90, recently bought a Skoda superb (anything but.....) and complained how he couldn't see the speedo etc. Turns out he has a cataract!! Very scary.
How about for starters, an eye test every 3-5 years and take the theory test at the same time? Start with everyone over 70 and slowly work your way down until everyone has to.
The main problem with this is it isn't politically expedient. Lots of older drivers = lots of votes = worried politicians.
My dad who is 90, recently bought a Skoda superb (anything but.....) and complained how he couldn't see the speedo etc. Turns out he has a cataract!! Very scary.
doogz said:
TheOrangePeril said:
IMO there should be mandatory refresher courses for all ages, not just OAPs! Considering the pathetic ease with which you can get a license in the UK, there should really be a re-test or refresher every ten years, increasing to a more concise period for older drivers. A lot of bad habits form in the first ten-twenty years of driving which are then further exacerbated by ageing issues in the last ten-twenty years.
Generally a good idea, but we shouldn't discount the huge numbers of younger bad drivers that could also benefit from refreshers in this vein.
I agree with this.Generally a good idea, but we shouldn't discount the huge numbers of younger bad drivers that could also benefit from refreshers in this vein.
A guy in work the other day was nipping out for lunch, and asked if i wanted to come.
We got in his auto 9-3, and he drove the whole way with one hand at 12 o'clock, the other sat on top of the gear stick, for no apparent reason, and never checked a single mirror once. I don't understand how people drive like this every day, and don't have regular accidents.
Re-education is necessary.
The worst drivers I have ever seen are those in local towns with no experience of driving out of that town or in a city which forces them to learn about the rules of the road. These are people who drive at 40+ in 30 zones, don't stop or look at roundabouts, cut corners like they don't exist, and cause accidents some fatal. I have seen this first hand and spoken with people I know who fit this category.
They should make the driving test significantly harder and much more comprehensive for people who are getting their license for the first time. First get the test right, then apply it to those of an older age.
They should make the driving test significantly harder and much more comprehensive for people who are getting their license for the first time. First get the test right, then apply it to those of an older age.
There's an old fella in my street who shouldn't be allowed near a road, he had a rover 25 for years which looks like its gone pop (was knocking like hell last time i saw it) I admit being pretty pleased about it and didn't expect him to replace it but I've just seen him in a Kia.. He's a danger to everyone including pedestrians, can't judge gaps and has very little control over the car. Seems awful but he should be reported really before hurting himself or other people.
ETA- A lot of elderly people blame old age for their deteoreation in driving standards but to be honest a few I know have always been shocking drivers!
ETA- A lot of elderly people blame old age for their deteoreation in driving standards but to be honest a few I know have always been shocking drivers!
I see more dangerous, and unpredictable driving from younger drivers my age(27), And middle aged motorists be it male, female car or Motor bike, than the elderly. I wouldn't be apposed to taking a refresher/re-test etc if that would make the roads safer and meant I could keep my licence, and my toys. And being a massive petrol head I wouldnt want someone saying I couldn't drive/ride anymore, as cars and bikes are a big part of my life!
Some are - and some aren't. You don't have to be old to be a f
king menace on the road.
In general older drivers tend to self regulate - that is they tend not to go out so much at night or in poor weather, they are rarely under any pressure of time to complete a journey to a deadline so avoid taking risks and frequently pay for thier own petrol tyres and maintainence which means they drive with a lot more thought and care. Age brings a much more mature and far less egotistical attitude towards driving too.
All this means they generally make very good bets for insurance companies - that's why their premiums are so low.
king menace on the road.In general older drivers tend to self regulate - that is they tend not to go out so much at night or in poor weather, they are rarely under any pressure of time to complete a journey to a deadline so avoid taking risks and frequently pay for thier own petrol tyres and maintainence which means they drive with a lot more thought and care. Age brings a much more mature and far less egotistical attitude towards driving too.
All this means they generally make very good bets for insurance companies - that's why their premiums are so low.
My dad recently witnessed an old dear fail to stop at a red light on a pelican crossing. The lady hit a push chair sending 2 children and the mother flying. Fortunately everyone was ok and when the old dear realised this she said I can't wait around I have a dentist appointment to get to! My dad stopped her until the police arrived and he gave a statement, the officer said more than likely she'll just end up on a course similar to the speed awareness (cant remember exactly what its called).
Now surely if it was someone like myself (a male under 30) I wouldnt get off so lightly and would probably end up with a ban!
Surely if you are involved in an accident and fail to recognise the seriousness of it you should be dealt with accordingly regardless of age!
Now surely if it was someone like myself (a male under 30) I wouldnt get off so lightly and would probably end up with a ban!
Surely if you are involved in an accident and fail to recognise the seriousness of it you should be dealt with accordingly regardless of age!
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!!
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