WIll you be any good at driving when you're old?
Discussion
Elderly drivers. We've all seen them (for the most part)with next to no clutch control, poor spatial awareness, over-cautious judgement calls and a distinct look of abject fear on their faces when negotiating anything other than a quiet T-junction.
These are (in my eyes) the older generation of the current MLM's and motorist detritus that most of us encounter a daily basis. People who populate the road as a motorist instead of a driver.
So, for those of us who actually drive our cars and have an affinity for them and the things that they do and how they make us feel, how do you think we'll cope once we get to the ripe old age where fear takes over for most?
Will we aquiesce to fear that a 'modern' world will bring when coupled with diminishing faculties, or will we continue to 'be game' in our advanced years and still enjoy (and more importantly, be able to) wring the necks of our cars much like Messrs Moss and Surtees (professional driving careers notwithstanding) whose respective passions haven't dimmed well into their 70's and beyond?
So, will you be clogging up the roads or tearing them up - your thoughts?
These are (in my eyes) the older generation of the current MLM's and motorist detritus that most of us encounter a daily basis. People who populate the road as a motorist instead of a driver.
So, for those of us who actually drive our cars and have an affinity for them and the things that they do and how they make us feel, how do you think we'll cope once we get to the ripe old age where fear takes over for most?
Will we aquiesce to fear that a 'modern' world will bring when coupled with diminishing faculties, or will we continue to 'be game' in our advanced years and still enjoy (and more importantly, be able to) wring the necks of our cars much like Messrs Moss and Surtees (professional driving careers notwithstanding) whose respective passions haven't dimmed well into their 70's and beyond?
So, will you be clogging up the roads or tearing them up - your thoughts?
Hard call to make really, who knows what deterioration your body will go through in the next ** years. My family are historically petrolheads and like to 'press on' when appropriate. My dad is nearing 60 and drives an SLK55, his dad has always driven reasonably thirsty barges and isn't slow. I would say my driving when I'm 70 will be probably the same as your average 25 year old now 
:
Grandfather is over 90 and a pretty dodgy driver with poor eye sight. We though his time was up at the last eye test, but somehow he got through it.
He mitigates his risk by only driving locally.
Very responsible person, goes to church, ex GP etc, but no way is he hanging up his keys until someone makes him, despite what any of the family says.
He mitigates his risk by only driving locally.
Very responsible person, goes to church, ex GP etc, but no way is he hanging up his keys until someone makes him, despite what any of the family says.
kambites said:
I'm fairly determined that I'll either be a good driver or not drive at all.
Giving up driving is a difficult decision. It has many emotional ties to freedom and independence, especially for the elderly. Who will be the judge of whether you are a 'good' driver or not? Surely this shouldn't be down to the individual? Sorry to sound judgemental, but i was banned from driving four years ago, after having a couple of fits early in the morning. As a petrol head, i was gutted, frustrated and angry at the time of the diagnosis. Hindsight now tells me it wasnt so bad and luckily i have been fit free for four years - but i know how it feel sto have the threat of your license being taken away ..... It is not an easy time.
Mike
surveyor said:
Grandfather is over 90 and a pretty dodgy driver with poor eye sight. We though his time was up at the last eye test, but somehow he got through it.
He mitigates his risk by only driving locally.
Very responsible person, goes to church, ex GP etc, but no way is he hanging up his keys until someone makes him, despite what any of the family says.
..... I have exactly the same problem with my Father who will be 96 on his next birthday, his driving is reasonable, but his eyesight is beginning to become a worry!! Like your Grandfather, my Father sticks to short local runs! He still plays bowls and snooker OK though!!!He mitigates his risk by only driving locally.
Very responsible person, goes to church, ex GP etc, but no way is he hanging up his keys until someone makes him, despite what any of the family says.
No I'm going to be an awfull driver who brakes at oncoming traffic, wears a big hat with a tartan rug on my parcel shelf.
I shall also sit in the middle lane doing a steady 45MPH, I will swearve for no obvious reason, negotiate every bend at 7MPH while 10 to 2ing the steering wheel which will be level with my large red nose.
I will make even the largest of parking spaces seem as though it could only accept a small bycycle.
Well thats what most of them do.
I shall also sit in the middle lane doing a steady 45MPH, I will swearve for no obvious reason, negotiate every bend at 7MPH while 10 to 2ing the steering wheel which will be level with my large red nose.
I will make even the largest of parking spaces seem as though it could only accept a small bycycle.
Well thats what most of them do.
I'm going to be the best f
king old driver on the roads.
On a more serious note, I should be the last person to judge whether or not I'm a good driver, at any age. Equating "good" on the road to "safe": Few of us think we're dangerous drivers. If we were observant of the things we were doing that were putting us or others in danger, we'd stop doing them. We don't see them, thus they don't influence our self evaluation. Only a few decide to be dangerous on purpose. The rest of us don't feel that we are putting ourselves in danger, so think we're safe drivers.
king old driver on the roads.On a more serious note, I should be the last person to judge whether or not I'm a good driver, at any age. Equating "good" on the road to "safe": Few of us think we're dangerous drivers. If we were observant of the things we were doing that were putting us or others in danger, we'd stop doing them. We don't see them, thus they don't influence our self evaluation. Only a few decide to be dangerous on purpose. The rest of us don't feel that we are putting ourselves in danger, so think we're safe drivers.
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