100 year old driving school. ITV.

[Gretchen]

This is interesting. Quite emotional that these people would lose so much not having transport. But quite scary that the chap at 101 when asked about what the parked cars on the left might mean answered "that they probably haven't got garages" and doesn't have the time to spare to read the Highway Code...

[Gretchen]

briangriffin said:

Computerised test rather than practical? So questions on highway code (driving laws will change in a decade) and the Hazard Perception thing too. Maybe every 20 years would be easier. My health, reactions, eyesight etc will be a lot different at 40 than they were at 20.

Where do you draw the line though? Do we all need to be retaking exams, requalifying and reapplying for our jobs every decade too? One could argue the more you practice something the better skilled you become. Driving is a constant training course in itself.

Age is just paperwork.

[Gretchen]

TwigtheWonderkid said:

Spot on.

It may no make everyone happy to actually look at the facts, but the truth is if you had a max driving age of 80, it would make virtually no difference to the numbers killed or seriously injured on our roads. However, if you have a minimum driving age of 25, it would make a huge difference.

I'm not advocating a minimum age of 25, just pointing out the bleeding obvious.

I can see this. However, how would, for example, the school leavers/newly graduated get to work?

A colleague was given a lift by her 18yr old son the other day and confessed to the office she was scared how fast and (over) confident he was. Suprised he had recently passed. Yet my friends 19yr old daughter has just bought a new Fiesta ST as her second car and having been out with her she's a steady and competent driver with a fantastic job to which she'd be unable to get to without the car (paid for solely by herself inc insurance). Living fairly rural/small market town/no decent public transport the idea of not driving until 25 would have such a massive effect.

My parents are late 70s/early 80s and still driving. There are no shops where they live, one bus a day, and to be honest the broadband drops out when the weather is bad. They're still very active and out and about daily.

Many people suffer nerves under pressure, exams, interviews - these are mostly just a one few hour event. Yes we study before hand but the final pass is just that one sitting mostly. Perhaps with the driving test it needs to be broken down again, over six months? Or a retest after 12 months of the initial pass? I'm sure it's been thought of and the current method is seen most viable. This will be an ongoing debate as the roads get busier.

I don't watch that much TV but recently trying out some leisure time... I'm not sure it's as relaxing as I was told!!

[Gretchen]

CanAm said:

"This will be an ongoing debate as the roads get busier."

But there'll be fewer drivers as it'll all be automated, remember.

And where we're going...we won't need roads

[Gretchen]

I'm late to watching this tonight so didn't see the assessment that ended with the one lady having the suggestion made she no longer drives. Her daughter seemed somewhat relieved so assume she less than competent.

Wonderful group of old RAF veterans. Hoping he passes his assessment and wow a 105yr old woman still driving! That'll be interesting.

[Gretchen]

Vipers said:

greggy50 said:

Can't believe how fit and healthy the lady in the yellow mini looked for 106 years old!

Yup, there's hope for us all.

Expressing her favourite corner too and still eager to go, could've carried on to the coast. Wonderful attitude and great choice of car and colour.