Grandfather handing over his keys
Discussion
So, a bit of a sad morning today which will come to us all eventually. My grandfather has decided it's time for him to stop driving. I went over to his house to collect his car and when he gave me the keys he said - "this will be the first time in 78 years I haven't had a car". 
His first car when he was 17 was a 1930 Wolseley Hornet, nicknamed The Louse (as it was a bit of a monstrosity according to my Grannie). His last was a 1999 Honda Accord. Favourites were a series of Mantas through the 1970s and 1980s.
There's no doubt it's a good thing, and I'm pleased he made the decision himself rather than it being forced on him by a doctor, family members or him having an accident. To be fair he probably should have stopped a couple of years ago, but anyway the day has come and his garage is now empty. The local taxi firm had better brace itself!
His first car when he was 17 was a 1930 Wolseley Hornet, nicknamed The Louse (as it was a bit of a monstrosity according to my Grannie). His last was a 1999 Honda Accord. Favourites were a series of Mantas through the 1970s and 1980s.
There's no doubt it's a good thing, and I'm pleased he made the decision himself rather than it being forced on him by a doctor, family members or him having an accident. To be fair he probably should have stopped a couple of years ago, but anyway the day has come and his garage is now empty. The local taxi firm had better brace itself!
Ah a sad day for your grandad.
Although I followed my grandparents to a funeral on Tuesday, and bless them I dont think it will be long before they do the same. Getting onto the A1 I almost had to put myself into the outside lane to give them enough room to potter on at 55. When they got stuck behind a lorry I had to pull out, then flash them out (then slow down as my grandad was still pottering). I got some abuse for it but I imagine they dont notice.
We then got off the A1 and did 23mph for 8 miles to the burial field...
If it was anyone other than my grandparents I'd have honked them out of the way early into the journey. I felt a bit of a hipocrite really!
Although I followed my grandparents to a funeral on Tuesday, and bless them I dont think it will be long before they do the same. Getting onto the A1 I almost had to put myself into the outside lane to give them enough room to potter on at 55. When they got stuck behind a lorry I had to pull out, then flash them out (then slow down as my grandad was still pottering). I got some abuse for it but I imagine they dont notice.
We then got off the A1 and did 23mph for 8 miles to the burial field...
If it was anyone other than my grandparents I'd have honked them out of the way early into the journey. I felt a bit of a hipocrite really!
RicksAlfas said:
There's no doubt it's a good thing, and I'm pleased he made the decision himself rather than it being forced on him by a doctor, family members or him having an accident.
My father's 78 and no where near as confident or competent driver as he sued to be. If they both went somewhere he'd always drive but now my mother tends to drive so I guess he's recognising it too. Sad but better than some possible alternatives.The inlaws are approaching 80 and have both just done the same, was caused by MIL have a a bump with a Focus when the sun hit her eyes, she decided that had she been a bit younger and a bit quicker to react it would not have happened and that it was time to hang up her driving gloves before she hurt someone 
sensible but must have been a tough decision. FIL has diabetes and age related mobility issues and has decided he much preferes his mobility scooter for getting out and about so has also given up driving.
sensible but must have been a tough decision. FIL has diabetes and age related mobility issues and has decided he much preferes his mobility scooter for getting out and about so has also given up driving.Snowboy said:
What we need is a hand full of mildly battered old metros, an empty airfield and a geriatrics driving day.
Let the old folk just have some fun.
Sure, they have to stop driving on roads.
But they don't have to stop driving.
Let the old folk just have some fun.
Sure, they have to stop driving on roads.
But they don't have to stop driving.
I'm sure he'd be up for that.
Would need plenty of tea and biscuits as well.
Snowboy said:
What we need is a hand full of mildly battered old metros, an empty airfield and a geriatrics driving day.
http://www.iam.org.uk/drivers/motorists-courses/dr...
AudiWurst said:
Are you going to keep his car and look after it?
NateWM said:
Pictures of the car please! I love Accords and have one myself.
Sorry chaps. Took it straight to my friend's garage as it needs tax and MOT tomorrow. He'll probably sell it on for me.It was a burgundy four door 1.8SE Automatic if that means anything to you. 43,000 miles in 15 years. It drove very well. Probably would have been even better with some air in the tyres.
My brother and I had to step in with our father a couple of years ago. He's 80 in June. We knew he was getting worse and his driving standards had slipped but he gave me a lift into town one day and he was outright dangerous. He wasn't happy with us and some of the family still think negatively on us taking his independance away. I couldn't live with myself if he'd caused an accident and someone got hurt or worse. He would just pull out of junctions really slowly whether there was oncoming traffic or not and plough through red lights on roundabouts. God, I hope I don't think badly of my son when he thinks it's time to take the keys off me. Saying that I'm not quite 40 yet and he thinks that now sometimes
vtecyo said:
See it as a blessing. My grandfather is 93 and still driving. He shouldn't be, and is dangerous. He had a shunt a few weeks ago which everyone was hoping would snap him into giving it up but it didn't. I think family is going to have to step in soon.
Looks like a good idea to me.Plus points
1. Free bus pass.
2. 1/3 off rail travel with pensioner discount card.
3. No more car insurance
4. No more annual car tax
5. No more daft fuel bills
6. No more garage bills
7. No need to drive anymore, so an extra drink with a meal doesn't matter.
8. Trading the car in will pay for the first year's taxi bills.
9. No chance of killing an innocent member of the public when
having a "senior moment" when driving.
10. No more taxi service for the nearest and dearest.
Personally, I can't wait to reach this state of affairs.
I suspect the local breweries will have to go onto overtime, however,
to cope with #7 ;->
MIL has moved house so she no longer needs to drive (81 yrs) and won't bother to renew her licence when due later this yr.
Her car now does 2 miles per week so I can't blame her really.
My Mum gave up @ 79 when she pulled out in front of a car and wrote both off (no one hurt)
Her car now does 2 miles per week so I can't blame her really.
My Mum gave up @ 79 when she pulled out in front of a car and wrote both off (no one hurt)
Edited by HumbleJim on Thursday 27th February 16:20
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