old people, driving licence removal
Discussion
Living somewhere that is infested with retirees I think there should at the very least be compulsory annual eye sight tests above 70 years of age.
Literally every local journey I make I end up stuck behind someone doing 37mph in an NSL and braking for every bend or every car coming the other way.
Literally every local journey I make I end up stuck behind someone doing 37mph in an NSL and braking for every bend or every car coming the other way.
mike74 said:
Living somewhere that is infested with retirees I think there should at the very least be compulsory annual eye sight tests above 70 years of age.
Literally every local journey I make I end up stuck behind someone doing 37mph in an NSL and braking for every bend or every car coming the other way.
An literally every journey I make I see some young twonk using his phone whilst driving or preening her hair in the RVM all at either 70mph in a 30 or 40mph in any zone.**Literally every local journey I make I end up stuck behind someone doing 37mph in an NSL and braking for every bend or every car coming the other way.
Why not make regular retesting compulsory for everyone?
- not literal of course, just like your fairy tale.
mike74 said:
Literally every local journey I make I end up stuck behind someone doing 37mph in an NSL and braking for every bend or every car coming the other way.
Whilst that may be frustrating, doing 37 in a 60/70 and braking at bends or oncoming cars isn't of itself dangerous. The danger emanates from the lack of patience of other road users. Logically, as you get older, your eyesight takes longer to focus between close and far, your reactions aren't what they were, then slowing down is a good thing. Better someone who takes longer to react is doing 37 at the time of something happening than 60.
My mother is nearly 80, and as it happens, a perfectly good driver. I have no issues being a passenger with her. But she avoids driving at night because the glare dazzles her, and she is more cautious when pulling out of side roads, on roundabouts etc.
She did get hit up the back at a roundabout a few years ago, probably because she didn't go when she could have. But that's still 100% the fault of the idiot that hit her.
I was lucky that my Mum gave up driving voluntarily after an accident, only bent metal but it made the conversation easier.
I think the real difficulty persuading elderly people to stop driving is finding a suitable alternative that works for them as convenience is the first thing that is lost.
To all those demanding extra rules, checks, etc. Just remember you will have to face this issue yourselves at some point in the future. I doubt anyone today would give up their licence voluntarily, can't see it being any different when you are 75.
I think the real difficulty persuading elderly people to stop driving is finding a suitable alternative that works for them as convenience is the first thing that is lost.
To all those demanding extra rules, checks, etc. Just remember you will have to face this issue yourselves at some point in the future. I doubt anyone today would give up their licence voluntarily, can't see it being any different when you are 75.
Absolutely outraged...........how dare some common little clerk etc etc. Alas using any form of logic in a conversation with her fails instantly. None of her friends will get in the car with her. The previous fiat panda was sold when every panel had been hit, she now has a replacement and has started the gradual destruction of same.
84, claims to have
Lupus
monsegnier gravis?
after about 7pm Gordons Gin itis
and a long list of other ailments that come and go at her whim
overunder12g said:
What was your Moth in Laws view on giving up when you discussed it with her OP ?
Rangeroverover said:
Absolutely outraged...........how dare some common little clerk etc etc. Alas using any form of logic in a conversation with her fails instantly. None of her friends will get in the car with her. The previous fiat panda was sold when every panel had been hit, she now has a replacement and has started the gradual destruction of same.
84, claims to have
Lupus
monsegnier gravis?
after about 7pm Gordons Gin itis
and a long list of other ailments that come and go at her whim
Myasthenia gravis.84, claims to have
Lupus
monsegnier gravis?
after about 7pm Gordons Gin itis
and a long list of other ailments that come and go at her whim
DVLA: "Myasthenia gravis and driving. You must tell DVLA if you have myasthenia gravis. You can be fined up to £1,000 if you don't tell DVLA about a medical condition that affects your driving."
(This is a legal requirement by the way). MG is an autioimmune/neuromuscular disorder- muscle weakness including especially the eyes- you can see why this would be a problem when driving...
I think you need someone to go and hide her car keys! Good luck OP, this is never easy.
REALIST123 said:
An literally every journey I make I see some young twonk using his phone whilst driving or preening her hair in the RVM all at either 70mph in a 30 or 40mph in any zone.**
Why not make regular retesting compulsory for everyone?
Try living where I live and telling me it's a fairy tale.Why not make regular retesting compulsory for everyone?
- not literal of course, just like your fairy tale.
I do mean literally EVERY local journey I make, I even now recognise the same serial offenders and they're all pensioners...
-37 mph everywhere regardless of whether it's an NSL or 30 limit,
-drifting wide on bends,
-braking constantly,
-unbelievably slow (or often non-existent) reactions to any potential hazards,
-having no concept whatsoever as to how to negotiate a mini roundabout.
Why should competent road users need to ''have patience'' for these appalling drivers and just accept that their journey is going to take twice as long due to their inability to drive to the road conditions?
Whether it's simply poor eyesight or just generally dulled senses they simply shouldn't be on the road any longer, it's not like they can't afford to use taxis etc
mike74 said:
Try living where I live and telling me it's a fairy tale.
I do mean literally EVERY local journey I make, I even now recognise the same serial offenders and they're all pensioners...
-37 mph everywhere regardless of whether it's an NSL or 30 limit,
-drifting wide on bends,
-braking constantly,
-unbelievably slow (or often non-existent) reactions to any potential hazards,
-having no concept whatsoever as to how to negotiate a mini roundabout.
Why should competent road users need to ''have patience'' for these appalling drivers and just accept that their journey is going to take twice as long due to their inability to drive to the road conditions?
Whether it's simply poor eyesight or just generally dulled senses they simply shouldn't be on the road any longer, it's not like they can't afford to use taxis etc
Exactly aging population this is more and more and issue.I do mean literally EVERY local journey I make, I even now recognise the same serial offenders and they're all pensioners...
-37 mph everywhere regardless of whether it's an NSL or 30 limit,
-drifting wide on bends,
-braking constantly,
-unbelievably slow (or often non-existent) reactions to any potential hazards,
-having no concept whatsoever as to how to negotiate a mini roundabout.
Why should competent road users need to ''have patience'' for these appalling drivers and just accept that their journey is going to take twice as long due to their inability to drive to the road conditions?
Whether it's simply poor eyesight or just generally dulled senses they simply shouldn't be on the road any longer, it's not like they can't afford to use taxis etc
The 9 mile a38 drive for me to my mums takes me on from 30, to 40, 50 and then national for the bulk with a small 50 section.
I was stuck behind someone doing 36 (even in the 30)all the way the other night and you pass them in the national and they proceed to flash you like your some sort of lunatic. Driver was elderly.
I was behind two eldely people in a zafira he drove like it was a 50 seat coach, in town on saturday and they drove at 15-20 in the 30 and drifted all over the road and had a panic attacked if someone cam the other way.
When they got to asda they drive had the worst hunchback I have ever seen and could barely walk yet he drives a ZAFIRA!
surveyor_101 said:
Exactly aging population this is more and more and issue.
The 9 mile a38 drive for me to my mums takes me on from 30, to 40, 50 and then national for the bulk with a small 50 section.
I was stuck behind someone doing 36 (even in the 30)all the way the other night and you pass them in the national and they proceed to flash you like your some sort of lunatic. Driver was elderly.
I was behind two eldely people in a zafira he drove like it was a 50 seat coach, in town on saturday and they drove at 15-20 in the 30 and drifted all over the road and had a panic attacked if someone cam the other way.
When they got to asda they drive had the worst hunchback I have ever seen and could barely walk yet he drives a ZAFIRA!
Given accident stats, the much more dangerous option would be to have a 25-year-old driving the Zafira.The 9 mile a38 drive for me to my mums takes me on from 30, to 40, 50 and then national for the bulk with a small 50 section.
I was stuck behind someone doing 36 (even in the 30)all the way the other night and you pass them in the national and they proceed to flash you like your some sort of lunatic. Driver was elderly.
I was behind two eldely people in a zafira he drove like it was a 50 seat coach, in town on saturday and they drove at 15-20 in the 30 and drifted all over the road and had a panic attacked if someone cam the other way.
When they got to asda they drive had the worst hunchback I have ever seen and could barely walk yet he drives a ZAFIRA!
There's a railway bridge (arched) near here that's had tall lorries collide with it fairly frequently (I say probably 6 a year). The Council resurfaced the road and decided to white line the section under the bridge with 2 dashed lines showing a 'narrow route' under centre section of the bridge and mark the road HIGH VEHS. Are you ahead of me here? I've encountered several oldies driving in the centre of the road! I reported to the Council whose response was "no road or marking defects". So it's ok then??? I understand the oldies may be the problem, but maybe they shouldn't be actively encouraged!them. The other aspect of this is why would any HGV driver worth their job need 'directing' to the highest bit of the bridge.
I'm one of your oldies. 73 shortly, still drive the E-type and XKSS as fast as I can, can still handle myself on a track day, so I am wondering at what age you suggest we oldies should be persecuted. Incidentally, while the law has now changed, we with older french licences are not required to undergo any medical tests or even fill in the triennial questionnaire. I'll go and have a snooze now.
gottans said:
I was lucky that my Mum gave up driving voluntarily after an accident, only bent metal but it made the conversation easier.
I think the real difficulty persuading elderly people to stop driving is finding a suitable alternative that works for them as convenience is the first thing that is lost..
You are right, it isn't always as hard as you might think.I think the real difficulty persuading elderly people to stop driving is finding a suitable alternative that works for them as convenience is the first thing that is lost..
About three years ago I had a chat with my dad about whether he should give up driving. He was actually relieved I had mentioned it as he was afraid of making the decision himself as he was worried about what others would say and how he and his wife would cope getting to places, doing things like shopping.
We talked about how stopping now before he had an accident and blemished a 60 year driving history - he started driving during the Suez crisis when learner drivers could drive unaccompanied - rather than after he hit something or someone.
His insurance was just coming up for renewal, so we looked at how much driving was costing in terms of insurance, tax, maintenance, petrol, etc and how that money could be used for taxis instead. Fortunately they live in a town centre which makes things slightly easier. Although my mum was in her late 70s, she was quite adept with using their PC so I got them set up with online supermarket delivery, which has been superb.
Roll on three years and although of course he misses the independence driving gives, he is glad he took the decision he did, and I know has had conversations with his peers trying to persuade them to do the same.
A few weeks ago my wife and I had a similar conversation with her widowed mother who had been driving up until an operation a few months previously. She had already had a couple of accidents, although those involved other elderly people driving into her!
She was very unhappy driving unless the conditions were perfect, so no driving at night, not on busy roads, not in icy weather, etc, so we pointed out that most of the time her car was not used and she was using taxis or getting lifts from friends and relatives anyway.
We left it to her to make the decision and she told us a week later she had decided to give up.
So yes there are some elderly people out there who are determined to carry on irrespective, but with others they just want some validation that they are not making a silly decision and some help in overcoming the change.
Derek Smith said:
Given accident stats, the much more dangerous option would be to have a 25-year-old driving the Zafira.
That is the usual argument and I accept the stats to a certain degree.However, there are quite a few points as we already have schemes in place to tackle young drivers>
1. Most 17-25 -their driving will improve with experience and their risk profile in most cases goes down.
2. They suffer high insurance premiums and many opting for trackers so their driving is monitored.
3. There are driver improvement schemes the police can refer them to in some cases.
4. There is a probation period in place for new drivers of two years with retesting for those who have issues.
The elderly on the other hand won't improve and in most cases, they only get an assessment if they volunteer!
So there is nothing to tackle the problem of elderly drivers and they don't tend to get better like young drivers.
Just because you are old or young doesn't mean you are a bad driver, nor does it mean you are a good driver if you fall into the middle category.
I'm 49 and live in Devon. There is an older population bias here and with the fact that its rural means people are more inclined to keep on driving into old age in order to get about. I have become more tolerant of older drivers when I see them pottering around and give them more space. However it does get to a point where some of them shouldn't be on the road, like the old lady who accidentally drove through the window of a local cafe whilst trying to park her car. There is a case for a refresher for all ages with driving licenses every 10 years possibly .. obviously pistonheaders are exempt from this!
I'm 49 and live in Devon. There is an older population bias here and with the fact that its rural means people are more inclined to keep on driving into old age in order to get about. I have become more tolerant of older drivers when I see them pottering around and give them more space. However it does get to a point where some of them shouldn't be on the road, like the old lady who accidentally drove through the window of a local cafe whilst trying to park her car. There is a case for a refresher for all ages with driving licenses every 10 years possibly .. obviously pistonheaders are exempt from this!
Rangeroverover said:
My mother in law ahould not be driving, with other family members we have alerted DVLA, she has received a letter from DVLA but won't show it to us. Does anyone know what it is likely to say and what is the next step
Anyone who has been through this will hopefully be able to help
It's very tricky. As mentioned earlier, the GP route seems such a grey area.Anyone who has been through this will hopefully be able to help
My MiL was a very dangerous, overly cautious driver that we were all worried about, but she refused to stop driving the short distances she used her car for. One day we had a call from the Police to say that she had been driving around in a tight circle at speed in a supermarket car park totally confused - she had written off 3 other cars. Quite how anyone wasn't injured, we have no idea.... we were really very shocked and thought about how it might have turned out if she'd killed a toddler (for example). She didn't appear to be too bothered about the accident. However, we told a few white lies and told her that she was now uninsurable and she gave up driving. The loss of her independence has definitely contributed to her kind of giving up on life a bit. But frankly, who cares? She can't be on the road - end of.
I am of an age where my friends parents are all mid 80's (ish) or older and this is a regular topic of conversation. It really is an issue.
As an aside, if you really want to see the most appalling driving, go to the main car park at Petworth - it is a magnet for doddery drivers, quite terrifying and never fails to disappoint!
lowdrag said:
I'm one of your oldies. 73 shortly, still drive the E-type and XKSS as fast as I can, can still handle myself on a track day, so I am wondering at what age you suggest we oldies should be persecuted. Incidentally, while the law has now changed, we with older french licences are not required to undergo any medical tests or even fill in the triennial questionnaire. I'll go and have a snooze now.
Now you see he is old but much more interesting than anyone else on this thread. Also has impeccable taste in cars.Last weekend I was freezing my arse off chasing my father (85) down in an XKSS while he was driving an SS100!
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