Drivers over 70 stay at home!

[glenn2926]

They dont like you saying this way BUT
70% of all road fatalities are caused by SOBER Drivers
There banning the wrong ones clearly

In thirty years as a fireman I can only remember going to one crash where the driver was a young drunk driver. I went to many caused by older drunk drivers. It’s just not socially acceptable to the younger generation. Education does work, it just takes a generation or two to become noticeable.
70 years of age is probably a good time to retest as the licence runs out then anyway. Perhaps not as in depth as first test but more of an observed drive would be more acceptable.

 

[BouncyBoatFolk]

TheMachMan wrote "I can’t imagine how hard it would be handing over the keys for the last time losing your independence but the public has a right to safe travel".
We can ask Phil, he was made to stop driving recently, poor old "Brenda " now has to get ferried about in that draughty old coach.
Mike

 

[Geo]

In thirty years as a fireman I can only remember going to one crash where the driver was a young drunk driver. I went to many caused by older drunk drivers. It’s just not socially acceptable to the younger generation. Education does work, it just takes a generation or two to become noticeable.
70 years of age is probably a good time to retest as the licence runs out then anyway. Perhaps not as in depth as first test but more of an observed drive would be more acceptable.

Granted, ther'e all Drugged up now instead

 

[glenn2926]

Granted, ther'e all Drugged up now instead

They’re also trained to a far higher standard than the older drivers. Much more difficult to get a driving licence now.

 

[BouncyBoatFolk]

There are still drivers on the road who have never had to sit a test. IN WW2 you could just apply for a licence when you reached the qualifying age!! Once acquired you kept it for life. We had one such, mature, driver a bit further along our road in our first property. He was as deaf as a beetle, and routinely would take the back out of his garage. He would sit in the car revving the nuts off it whilst peering over his shoulder unable to hear the clutch slipping, blue smoke emanating from the poor clutch would fill the air, that was his cue to drop the clutch and , shoot forwards at great speed through the back tin wall of the garage and into his veg patch because he had selected first gear instead of reverse, again. Comic to watch, but the thought of some poor sole taking at face value the scene that because the driver was straining to look over his shoulder behind him, he was actually going to go that way!!
Mike

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[deleted79651]

I'm over seventy.

I certainly wouldn't be a passenger in any vehicle I was driving...

JJ

Thanks Groucho for the fresh take on his 'Club' gag

Steve

 

[deleted79651]

Don't recall ever seeing a geriatric 70+ in a BMW tailgating an Audi in Lane 3 of the M6 [or vice versa], whilst Lane 2 is full of those who 'don't drive in the slow lane' types.

This does give a false impression to the 3 drivers in Lane 1 who think the motorway is awfully quiet and open today ...

Steve

 

[cmcardle75]

Having narrowly avoided an elderly driver head on going the wrong way down a dual carriage, it makes perfect sense.

I had that today, but it was a van driver and he looked about 30. I made a spinny signal with my hands and he did a U-turn. He looked very confused, but it is an pretty complex junction and relatively easy to balls it up.

///silver.much.dust

This is the what3words address for a 3 metre square location near Shinfield, Berkshire.

what3words.com

 

[Larrynwin]

They’re also trained to a far higher standard than the older drivers. Much more difficult to get a driving licence now.

So highly trained that they cause 85% of serious accidents , that’s progress

 

[glenn2926]

So highly trained that they cause 85% of serious accidents , that’s progress

If you’re so sure that oldies are better you’ll have no problem with an observed drive then eh?

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[Larrynwin]

If you’re so sure that oldies are better you’ll have no problem with an observed drive then eh?

None whatsoever.

 

[Richard n Ann]

Recently my brother came face to face with a car travelling the wrong way down a one way street. He flashed his lights and the car eventually stopped. He wound down his window and informed the driver he was in a one way street, to which they replied we know we're police.

I'd say Well be careful then, that's my car you're potentially going to smash up!

 

[busby]

They’re also trained to a far higher standard than the older drivers. Much more difficult to get a driving licence now.

If that's the case it is not showing in their ability on the road..I cannot believe the deterioration in driving skills of many drivers on the road today both private and professional. BUSBY.

They’re also trained to a far higher standard than the older drivers. Much more difficult to get a driving licence now.

 

[Ambilkate]

Over 70s in poor health face night driving ban in licence shake up https://mol.im/a/9411221 via

Its on the daily mail as well

 

[deleted79651]

Over 70s in poor health face night driving ban in licence shake up https://mol.im/a/9411221 via

Its on the daily mail as well

Must be true then ...

Steve

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[gus-lopez]

We have medicals here .!0 years for cars & c & avove every 5 years . Used to be 5 years & 3 years but they had to increase to meet eu rules.

I'd have no trouble taking another test. I already carry on a continuous conversation now highlighting the hazards.

 

[Carol]

Must be true then ...

Steve

Your point being

 

[deleted79651]

Your point being

The Daily Fail's unsullied reputation for factual reporting

 

[cmcardle75]

We have medicals here .!0 years for cars & c & avove every 5 years . Used to be 5 years & 3 years but they had to increase to meet eu rules.

I'd have no trouble taking another test. I already carry on a continuous conversation now highlighting the hazards.

I took another driving test for Group A (motorbikes) about five years ago. Got a single minor fault for not going fast enough for the swerve. The driving test is nothing to worry about for an experienced driver.

If you can't pass a test, you shouldn't be driving. However, there should probably be a different system that doesn't ban drivers immediately for single, possibly uncharacteristic, mistake when being tested. Perhaps people could be put into a remedial zone where they have 6 months to improve before losing a licence.

 

[Carol]

The Daily Fail's unsullied reputation for factual reporting

In your opinion, as the poster is entitled to their opinion and only passing a comment.

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[deleted79651]

My first trip abroad started on 14 Sptember 1976 in my Skoda to France. Picked up the tent we'd hired from Townsend Thoresen [does that date me?], chucked it across the back seat, and off we went. Struggled to get out of Calais Docks and stopped all of 12 miles down the road for the rest of the night.

Following morning, into the local bar for a coffee and off we go again, slowly gaining in confidence, to the point where I was brave enough to risk driving into the centre of Rouen [Yes, I know now ...]. Getting in was quite easy, but the signs but getting out were not clear [struggled with Toutes Directions & Autres Dirrections etc], so, in desperation I resorted to 'follow that car and see if he will lead us out' desperation. I was so intent on following a 'likely candiadte' I completely missed the 'No Entry' sign to a ramped slip road, and my new confidence was shattered as I had to reverse down the ramp to the bemusement of Rouen's [relatively few] Saturday lunchtime drivers ...

One of a number of scrapes that I've got myself into over the years. To date, I've managed to get away with it, but age and decreasing odds suggest that I'm on a slippery slope. A side order of prudence is looking very attractive for the resumption of travel.

Steve

 

[frogijock]

In the story the reason given is that between 2010 and 2020, 50 people died in accidents where the driver was aged 70 or over, it does not say wether the accident was caused by the 70 year old or not, the goverment in it’s wisdom is introducing Smart (their word) motorways, since the introduction of these the average per year of deaths is higher than that of the 70 year olds, but as a goverment spokesman said “ This can be expected till people get used to them” so in other words, it is ok for the goverment to kill you, but not ok for you to drive if over 70 as you may kill some one.

 

[Wack]

A guy I know had an elderly neighbour who almost took him out going round a corner up the path so he reported him to the DVLA
They were round a few days later , doorstepped him with an eye test which he failed miserably , took his licence off him there and then

 

[busby]

You have to remember no one is a bad driver,,it's something for some reason no one will admit to.They will admit to being a bad cook,,non mechanical lousy at decorating but driving, all experts.BUSBY

 

[raysalaugh]

A guy I know had an elderly neighbour who almost took him out going round a corner up the path so he reported him to the DVLA
They were round a few days later , doorstepped him with an eye test which he failed miserably , took his licence off him there and then

Bit harsh, he was only mowing the lawn.

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[TheBig1]

Look, I am saying this up front so nobody thinks that I am discriminating, I have physical disabilities and this new proposed legislation could easily affect me personally. That said, I have written to MPs a few times requesting that they look to tightening up driving laws.

We need to see regular retesting of ALL drivers, regardless of age. I suggest a half hour in a simulator to test reactions and eyesight. Half an hour doing a test on traffic regulations and signs. Anyone who only borderline passes then has a full driving test. Do this every 5 to 10 years until age 60 and then every 3 years maximum. Scrap the bullshit of self certifying that you are fit to drive.

Then make drink & drug driving bans much harsher. Mandatory 3 year ban on first offence. Second offence 10 year ban and retake the driving tests before you ever drive again. Third offence is lifetime ban plus a few years in prison. Caught driving whilst disqualified and you get 5 year minimum sentence. A vehicle driven by somebody impaired by drink or drugs is as deadly a weapon as a loaded gun. Treat it like that and the roads should be safer

You don't have the absolute right to drive, you earn respect and permission to drive safely and well. Break that respect and you should be a passenger from then on. Self driving cars with proper collision avoidance should be welcomed for the lives they will save. A bunch of stubborn old codgers that refuse to accept that their faculties decline with age and that driving is a potentially dangerous activity are the first that should be retested

I look forward to your replies

 

[Wack]

Who will be carrying out these tests on the 40 million registered licence holders in the UK

 

[xsparks]

Surely insurance companies are the litmus test as to whom are the safest drivers statistically. The people who want to put all old people in the same category forget they may well be lucky enough to grow old. To save money why not cull the over sixtys. And as for banning drivers with a driving related conviction when did that ever stop them. Half the time they have no insurance or licence anyway.

 

[TheBig1]

I envisage a number of companies being accredited to do the testing using the DVLA system and improve the driving test centres massively. The antiquated system that we currently struggle with is beyond hope even now with a year or more waiting list for tests. Qualified and certified senior driving instructors should be licenced to run driving tests with a system of double checks and peer reviews. All testing to be done with operating dash cams and simultaneous in car camera to ensure compliance and no abuse of the system. The technology to do this is already commonplace and brings driving tests up to date in line with the recent upgrades to vehicle safety MOT tests being recorded

It really couldn't be easier to implement and long term will save lives. Plus if a driver gets taken to court for any serious driving offence, their most recent test videos can be used as evidence

 

[glenn2926]

Look, I am saying this up front so nobody thinks that I am discriminating, I have physical disabilities and this new proposed legislation could easily affect me personally. That said, I have written to MPs a few times requesting that they look to tightening up driving laws.

We need to see regular retesting of ALL drivers, regardless of age. I suggest a half hour in a simulator to test reactions and eyesight. Half an hour doing a test on traffic regulations and signs. Anyone who only borderline passes then has a full driving test. Do this every 5 to 10 years until age 60 and then every 3 years maximum. Scrap the bullshit of self certifying that you are fit to drive.

Then make drink & drug driving bans much harsher. Mandatory 3 year ban on first offence. Second offence 10 year ban and retake the driving tests before you ever drive again. Third offence is lifetime ban plus a few years in prison. Caught driving whilst disqualified and you get 5 year minimum sentence. A vehicle driven by somebody impaired by drink or drugs is as deadly a weapon as a loaded gun. Treat it like that and the roads should be safer

You don't have the absolute right to drive, you earn respect and permission to drive safely and well. Break that respect and you should be a passenger from then on. Self driving cars with proper collision avoidance should be welcomed for the lives they will save. A bunch of stubborn old codgers that refuse to accept that their faculties decline with age and that driving is a potentially dangerous activity are the first that should be retested

I look forward to your replies

I have had driving tests every three years in my Fire Service career. Two full days of driving both at road speed and on blue lights. Some of which are commentary drives. Some were extended blue light commentary drives. They’re hard work. I don’t know if this is still the case.
Perhaps a bit much for your average pensioner. An observed short drive showing hazard perception would probably do.

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