I'v seen some bad drivers, this old lady takes some beating.
Discussion
Little rant...
I was in the Petrol station yesterday, there was a little old lady in front of me queuing, she goes up to the counter and it becomes clear shes unsteady on her feet and her hands shake. When the lady at the counter asks her if she had fuel and what number, she reveals "Im not sure, but its the one thats around £15" the cashier looks confused and asks which car it is on the forecourt, the old dear responds "I cant make out the pump number, but its that white car over there", the cashier clocks the car and charges her £11 something for fuel, the conversation goes on when the cashier asks if she wants miles points, the old dear then reveals "Im not even sure what that is, I forget how confusing these petrol stations are", She then takes an age to put her change in her purse, walks through the shop at a ridiculously slow pace and struggles through the door (I was getting served at this point) before eventually getting assisted.
At the time I was thinking the usual "Aww bless" etc, however to my surprise whilst walking back to my car I had to double take when I seen her getting in the driving seat of a white rover 218 with an equally old lady at the side , I thought she probably drives ok, just gets a bit confused from time to time....With that, a huge rev of the engine for about 10 seconds before the car eventually finds its biting point and CRAWLS forward, she seemed to have real trouble steering and controlling the car.
I follow her out before getting stopped by some traffic lights (gladly), she should now 2-3 minutes ahead along the route, forgetting about her quickly im just driving along and come to a dual carriageway entering a roundabout, law and behold, the dreaded white rover was ahead, she was stopped at the entrance to the roundabout despite the very large roundabout being totally empty, not wanting to apply pressure and seeing her driving "skill" in the garage I stay 20-25 metres back now also at a stop (I need the first turning off the roundabout so overtaking is not the best option at this stage), again the car gives out a huge rev before crawling off, it hasnt even entered the roundabout before she turns sharply left and mounts the kerb/small bank, she continues along there slowly for about 8 metres, I take this opportunity to get past and quickly so I double check everything is clear and swerve out in to the outside lane before entering the rounabout giving her huge amounts of space (see sketch, red is her route, green mine), as I glance back in the mirror I can now see her swerve in to the middle of the road and seems to find control sitting smack bang in the middle of the rounabout - all the while doing around 10-15mph? I have seen people tearing round here 60-70mph and the normal speed is probably 40-50mph!
There was no incident or anything, however, the roundabout concerned is usually manic, this particular spot is an accident hot spot, many people get shunted for braking last minute as opportunities to enter are few and far between when busy. Im sure there would have been an incident if there were any other cars on the roundabout.
This is nothing against the elderly & yes I know some are great drivers and havent had an accident in 60 years etc, but this woman was a SERIOUS threat to the public, her car control was frankly terrifying & I have no doubt this is to do with her age. There was an old dear that lived by me a few years ago that was similar, she drove way past the point she should have, one day she waved at a neighbor before veering off the road, on to the pavement, mowing down said neighbor, driving through one wire fence, one wooden fence, down a bank and through a field before getting stuck some 40 metres later with the neighbor still clinging to the bonnet
My question is, what kind of tests are in place to get these people off the road before they cause a RTA? If the Police had seen the old dear yesterday with such poor car control & going by her poor vision, state of mind & physical condition showed in the garage, would they have the power to remove her license/re-test her etc?
I was in the Petrol station yesterday, there was a little old lady in front of me queuing, she goes up to the counter and it becomes clear shes unsteady on her feet and her hands shake. When the lady at the counter asks her if she had fuel and what number, she reveals "Im not sure, but its the one thats around £15" the cashier looks confused and asks which car it is on the forecourt, the old dear responds "I cant make out the pump number, but its that white car over there", the cashier clocks the car and charges her £11 something for fuel, the conversation goes on when the cashier asks if she wants miles points, the old dear then reveals "Im not even sure what that is, I forget how confusing these petrol stations are", She then takes an age to put her change in her purse, walks through the shop at a ridiculously slow pace and struggles through the door (I was getting served at this point) before eventually getting assisted.
At the time I was thinking the usual "Aww bless" etc, however to my surprise whilst walking back to my car I had to double take when I seen her getting in the driving seat of a white rover 218 with an equally old lady at the side , I thought she probably drives ok, just gets a bit confused from time to time....With that, a huge rev of the engine for about 10 seconds before the car eventually finds its biting point and CRAWLS forward, she seemed to have real trouble steering and controlling the car.
I follow her out before getting stopped by some traffic lights (gladly), she should now 2-3 minutes ahead along the route, forgetting about her quickly im just driving along and come to a dual carriageway entering a roundabout, law and behold, the dreaded white rover was ahead, she was stopped at the entrance to the roundabout despite the very large roundabout being totally empty, not wanting to apply pressure and seeing her driving "skill" in the garage I stay 20-25 metres back now also at a stop (I need the first turning off the roundabout so overtaking is not the best option at this stage), again the car gives out a huge rev before crawling off, it hasnt even entered the roundabout before she turns sharply left and mounts the kerb/small bank, she continues along there slowly for about 8 metres, I take this opportunity to get past and quickly so I double check everything is clear and swerve out in to the outside lane before entering the rounabout giving her huge amounts of space (see sketch, red is her route, green mine), as I glance back in the mirror I can now see her swerve in to the middle of the road and seems to find control sitting smack bang in the middle of the rounabout - all the while doing around 10-15mph? I have seen people tearing round here 60-70mph and the normal speed is probably 40-50mph!
There was no incident or anything, however, the roundabout concerned is usually manic, this particular spot is an accident hot spot, many people get shunted for braking last minute as opportunities to enter are few and far between when busy. Im sure there would have been an incident if there were any other cars on the roundabout.
This is nothing against the elderly & yes I know some are great drivers and havent had an accident in 60 years etc, but this woman was a SERIOUS threat to the public, her car control was frankly terrifying & I have no doubt this is to do with her age. There was an old dear that lived by me a few years ago that was similar, she drove way past the point she should have, one day she waved at a neighbor before veering off the road, on to the pavement, mowing down said neighbor, driving through one wire fence, one wooden fence, down a bank and through a field before getting stuck some 40 metres later with the neighbor still clinging to the bonnet
My question is, what kind of tests are in place to get these people off the road before they cause a RTA? If the Police had seen the old dear yesterday with such poor car control & going by her poor vision, state of mind & physical condition showed in the garage, would they have the power to remove her license/re-test her etc?
Tuvra said:
My question is, what kind of tests are in place to get these people off the road before they cause a RTA? If the Police had seen the old dear yesterday with such poor car control & going by her poor vision, state of mind & physical condition showed in the garage, would they have the power to remove her license/re-test her etc?
In answer to your question, there is no test, they have to apply to renew their license every 3 years and sign a statement at renewal that they are fit to drive. If a police office sees them driving in a manner deemed to be unsafe they can recommend they have their license revoked (I think it works volutarily but if they refuse I think they can force it).Nothing to stop them as far as I'm aware. It's a terrifying thought that my nan could still be driving (Alzheimer's, sadly, and she was never a great driver anyway bless her. AIUI she flirted her way through the driving test 
). It took quite a lot of gentle persuasion before she realised she shouldn't be driving, and as such me and my dad help out with lifts and just about everything. She's happy with that.
However, one of my dad's patients a while ago was an elderly man, also with fairly severe dementia. Worryingly, he still drove. My dad tactfully brought up the discussion with his family using the line that, with his recent operation, he really wouldn't be fit to drive any longer. Their cries were that it would take away his freedom and they couldn't do that to him.
My thoughts? Mandatory retest every 5 years no matter what age. But then I suppose that would be against people's 'ooman rights or something
). It took quite a lot of gentle persuasion before she realised she shouldn't be driving, and as such me and my dad help out with lifts and just about everything. She's happy with that.However, one of my dad's patients a while ago was an elderly man, also with fairly severe dementia. Worryingly, he still drove. My dad tactfully brought up the discussion with his family using the line that, with his recent operation, he really wouldn't be fit to drive any longer. Their cries were that it would take away his freedom and they couldn't do that to him.
My thoughts? Mandatory retest every 5 years no matter what age. But then I suppose that would be against people's 'ooman rights or something
vit4 said:
Mandatory retest every 5 years no matter what age.
You haven't thought this through have you, just how many driving examiners would we need for that to work with say 2/3rds of the adult population holding a license, thats what?... 35million people retaking their test every 5 years 
Do recall a similar experience when i was a young lad. Since i was the oldest of 3, I'd end up getting the middle seat in the back, so always had a view ahead. Heading down the M1 to my Grandparents place, we were on the approach for the M25 turn off, heading south.
Up ahead there was brake lights flashing on, and several cars swearving all over the place , My dad slowed initally unsure what was causing it, before realising what the cause was:
A old dear in her blue volvo 340 doing 45mph in the MIDDLE lane of the M1, with traffic averaging 75 -80 (was a sunday so traffic was flowing well) My dad had to slam the anchors on hard, and slewed the Sierra around this old dear pronto, giving us all a brown trouser moment.
I've got nothing against older drivers, my parents are both heading into their 60s but understand that they have to drive with the traffic and generally drive very well. I can see why you have to reapply for a licence after 70, but just signing a form to say you are fit to drive without some kind of manditory test, is stupid.
There really should be a mandetory test every 3-5 years, not paid for by the goverment, to continue driving, you pay a reduced testing fee (£25 or so) and have a 30 minute 'test' with a qualified instructor. Basically a shortened version of a normal driving test.
If you need a brushup on driving - there should be an option for a refresher course and retests if one should fail but only on minor things, but driving like the OP posted would be an instant fail with recommendation not to retest.
Up ahead there was brake lights flashing on, and several cars swearving all over the place
, My dad slowed initally unsure what was causing it, before realising what the cause was:A old dear in her blue volvo 340 doing 45mph in the MIDDLE lane of the M1, with traffic averaging 75 -80 (was a sunday so traffic was flowing well) My dad had to slam the anchors on hard, and slewed the Sierra around this old dear pronto, giving us all a brown trouser moment.
I've got nothing against older drivers, my parents are both heading into their 60s but understand that they have to drive with the traffic and generally drive very well. I can see why you have to reapply for a licence after 70, but just signing a form to say you are fit to drive without some kind of manditory test, is stupid.
There really should be a mandetory test every 3-5 years, not paid for by the goverment, to continue driving, you pay a reduced testing fee (£25 or so) and have a 30 minute 'test' with a qualified instructor. Basically a shortened version of a normal driving test.
If you need a brushup on driving - there should be an option for a refresher course and retests if one should fail but only on minor things, but driving like the OP posted would be an instant fail with recommendation not to retest.
Edited by Sf_Manta on Thursday 18th August 11:49
Edited by Sf_Manta on Thursday 18th August 11:50
Beeby said:
Surely when someone gets to a certain age say 80 they should be made to take some kind of test to prove they are still fit to drive rather than just declare they are. As the population is getting older you may see elderly drivers becoming more and more of hazard on the road.
Exactly, this is my thinking.IMO, Once your 70, you should have a very lite test to ensure that you can function properly on today's road network, at 75 then you should have another, & another again at 80, then from that stage on it should be an annual test. Lets be honest its not as if you would have a busy schedule at 70+, even if the Govt. offered to pay for it instead of issuing a bus pass...
This woman I encountered yesterday was easily 85+ years of age and struggled to walk around let alone drive.
Cupramax said:
vit4 said:
Mandatory retest every 5 years no matter what age.
You haven't thought this through have you, just how many driving examiners would we need for that to work with say 2/3rds of the adult population holding a license, thats what?... 35million people retaking their test every 5 years Given that we'd pay for the tests themselves that doesn't sound that hard if introduced over a reasonable period.
The scheme could be pretty much self funding and would certainly improve driving standards.
Of course it will never happen.
And this is the reason I had to force my mum to stop driving. It was a pretty harsh thing to do and I felt really terrible over it but I know I did the right thing. She'd had cancer and the onset of dementia so she's physically quite frail - unable to bend and extend her legs properly - and mentally not that sharp, which just isn't a state you should be driving a car in. I know the last time she drove she did clip a kerb quite heavily and after that I couldn't, in all good conscience, let her carry on.
Tuvra said:
There was an old dear that lived by me a few years ago that was similar, she drove way past the point she should have, one day she waved at a neighbor before veering off the road, on to the pavement, mowing down said neighbor, driving through one wire fence, one wooden fence, down a bank and through a field before getting stuck some 40 metres later with the neighbor still clinging to the bonnet
I know I shouldn't laugh but this really tickled me.Edited by Robatr0n on Thursday 18th August 12:54
Where I live there is very little option to driving, public transports a joke so the old people do everything they can to hold on their license, generally ignoring the fact that they can be a danger to themselves and others.
A friend of mine runs a bodyshop and reasonably often they'll have old people coming in with damaged cars, paying for repairs themselves, desperate for their insurance company not to find out.
A friend of mine runs a bodyshop and reasonably often they'll have old people coming in with damaged cars, paying for repairs themselves, desperate for their insurance company not to find out.
vit4 said:
Nothing to stop them as far as I'm aware. It's a terrifying thought that my nan could still be driving (Alzheimer's, sadly, and she was never a great driver anyway bless her. AIUI she flirted her way through the driving test ). It took quite a lot of gentle persuasion before she realised she shouldn't be driving, and as such me and my dad help out with lifts and just about everything. She's happy with that.
However, one of my dad's patients a while ago was an elderly man, also with fairly severe dementia. Worryingly, he still drove. My dad tactfully brought up the discussion with his family using the line that, with his recent operation, he really wouldn't be fit to drive any longer. Their cries were that it would take away his freedom and they couldn't do that to him.
My thoughts? Mandatory retest every 5 years no matter what age. But then I suppose that would be against people's 'ooman rights or something
Is your Dad a doctor? If you tell a patient not to drive, then any insurance is invalid, and you have effectively stopped them driving.). It took quite a lot of gentle persuasion before she realised she shouldn't be driving, and as such me and my dad help out with lifts and just about everything. She's happy with that.However, one of my dad's patients a while ago was an elderly man, also with fairly severe dementia. Worryingly, he still drove. My dad tactfully brought up the discussion with his family using the line that, with his recent operation, he really wouldn't be fit to drive any longer. Their cries were that it would take away his freedom and they couldn't do that to him.
My thoughts? Mandatory retest every 5 years no matter what age. But then I suppose that would be against people's 'ooman rights or something
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