Is 88 too old?

[leggly]

I've just lost a good friend due too a bloke who, in my opinion is too old to be allowed on the road. 88 years old when He made a mistake I know, but should it be allowed?

Sorry if sound angry but I am.

[StuartGGray]

88, 44, 22. What's the difference? If he is fit to drive, he is OK. If not, well...

[davepoth]

It really does depend on whether he can still drive properly or not.

[chriis]

Sorry to hear that mate

Everyone makes mistakes unfortunatly .

[Urban Sports]

Difficult one, driving should be treated in the same way as flying IMO, you should be able to prove you are fit to drive rather than it being a given that you can because you have a licence.

[LukeBird]

davepoth said:

It really does depend on whether he can still drive properly or not.

Exactly.
Age is irrelevant.

Sorry to hear about your mate though.

[leggly]

Thanks for the replies chaps, I personally think we should turn our license in at around the age of seventy five. I'm speaking from the point of view of a seventeen year old lad who was forked up by an old man. I am 46 now.

[leggly]

StuartGGray said:

88, 44, 22. What's the difference? If he is fit to drive, he is OK. If not, well...

reaction times spring to mind.

[kazste]

reaction times may be slower but ability to anticipate may be higher. really sorry to hear your news, but I agree with whats been said already, if it is possible to drive safely then doesn't matter the age.

I do believe there should be ongoing assesment, no matter the age.

[Corpulent Tosser]

I don't think there is an age when a licence should be revoked, certainly each individual should on reaching lets say retiral age be regularly assessed with regard to physical capability to drive.

Fact is, and insurance claims/ premiums back this up, younger drivers make more mistakes.

[uk_vette]

Corpulent Tosser said:

I don't think there is an age when a licence should be revoked, certainly each individual should on reaching lets say retiral age be regularly assessed with regard to physical capability to drive.

Fact is, and insurance claims/ premiums back this up, younger drivers make more mistakes.

.
.
I agree,
Age should not really come into the decision.
I can imagine there are a lot more 17 year olds killed than 88 year olds.
So an 18 year old might have a faster reaction time, but the 88 year old in all his wisdom, could see the dange sooner perhaps


Sorry about your mate.

[Pork]

Sorry to hear about your mate.

To answer the question, as others have said, I dont think its down to age.

I'm very proud to say my Granddad still drives from Wales to the Midlands to see my parents and he's 92. He often moans about middle lane drivers and other bad driving. He was a long distance truck driver and IMO is still a very capable driver and worthy of holding a licence. I think if he thought he wasnt able to drive or if his Doc didnt think so, his licence would be revoked. I think he has to get the signoff from his doc annually.

Again, sorry to hear about your mate.

[bazking69]

If it was an accident, what has his age got to do with it?

I'm guessing this is just a look for blame trigger?

[seismic22]

Sorry to hear about the OP's friend.

I believe that people aged over 70 need to be checked at set intervals to see if they are still fit to drive but there should definately be no hand in of someones licence at a certain age.

[Munter]

leggly said:

StuartGGray said:

88, 44, 22. What's the difference? If he is fit to drive, he is OK. If not, well...

reaction times spring to mind.

There's plenty of younguns who can't drive well despite good reaction times.

As someone said above we should all be proving that we are fit to drive. It doesn't matter what aspect of "us" it is that stops us being allowed, attitude, mental ability, physical ability etc. We should be proving that on a regular basis.

HBGT will be along eventually to talk his usual st so I'll leave the thread now.

[davepoth]

Buenos Aires put in a law requiring every driver over 80 to hand in their license. Fangio (81) was a bit annoyed about this and publicly challenged the person responsible to a race to determing whether people of his age could drive or not. The Buenos Aires government backed down...

[205jsy]

I think anyone should take some sort of a retest when they are 75. Im sure most would pass but the reaction times ive seen of some older drivers are shocking. Even if it only took a few drivers off the road it may stop another accident like the one in th op (providing the accident in the op was the elderly mans fault).

[reggie82]

davepoth said:

Buenos Aires put in a law requiring every driver over 80 to hand in their license. Fangio (81) was a bit annoyed about this and publicly challenged the person responsible to a race to determing whether people of his age could drive or not. The Buenos Aires government backed down...

Have you just made that up or is it true?

[black1]

leggly wot happed ? all you say he is 88
not nuch to go on is it !

[willE36]

Sorry about your mate

I agree with licenses being taken away at 75. I think people over such an age should be assessed yearly, and people before that, every 3 to 5 years. A lot can change during that time that could affect your driving.
My granddad drove until he was 87. Don't really remember him driving (RIP), but my grandmother is 82, and she still drives, even though I think she shouldn't. Waiting till she realises it so I can buy her Audi 80.


= )