Too old?

[Warmleys]

My wife and I have just retired and we are off for a few months around UK. I know it depends a lot on health. I am 66 , I noticed that my confidence isn't what it was when driving. I know many motorhomers continue well into their late 70s.
Would be interesting to see how many over 70s are still travelling

 

[deleted79651]

This is absolutely how we feel so that is what we are doing this year. The roads feel frantic at moment but I am sure this feeling is due to having been confined to our own little patch for so long.

'Good news for you agoraphobics; the answer is out there ...' [Stuart Francis]

Steve

 

[Scattycat]

I drive lorries occasionally and in my opinion 1of the most dangerous things on the road is under confident drivers and this isn't meant as a dig at the op or anyone else it's just my observations if your lacking in confidence everything takes on a new and to a certain extent a scary role even missing a junction on a roundabout becomes a problem and this means you are worrying about your self and not concentrating on what's behind or next to you which means the 44 tonne attic may have to take evasive action which then has a knock on effect to traffic behind him and whilst you then bumble off oblivious to what going on the poor old lorry gets dogs abuse for making what to everyone else was a stupid manoeuvre. At 66 you are by means over the hill and incapable of driving and if you are just lacking a bit confidence why not try and find a local driving instructor or even talk to the advanced driving institute and go out in the mono and get some reassurance and a confidence boost and for the sake of a few quid your journeys will be much more enjoyable for both you and your wife which in turn will make the whole trip much nicer.
Just in case any missed it this is just my opinion and is not meant to upset anyone.

I couldn't agree more. Take an IAM or RoSPA course. Even if you don't go as far as taking the 'test' the experience and feedback should help to boost your confidence.

 

[dunnah01]

Driving the Moho is so much easier than driving the car. The German car driving noobs actually feel intimidated when you're coming the other way and slow down, something their ego would never let happen if it was a car coming the other way.

 

[Podney]

Driving the Moho is so much easier than driving the car. The German car driving noobs actually feel intimidated when you're coming the other way and slow down, something their ego would never let happen if it was a car coming the other way.

Oh pleeeeeease! distinguish between those driven by little fat men who don’t use the indicators,and those gentleman of the road who’s cars have a bomb aimer on the front of the bonnet!! They’re just not the same old boy!

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[stevewagner]

I drive lorries occasionally and in my opinion 1of the most dangerous things on the road is under confident drivers and this isn't meant as a dig at the op or anyone else it's just my observations if your lacking in confidence everything takes on a new and to a certain extent a scary role even missing a junction on a roundabout becomes a problem and this means you are worrying about your self and not concentrating on what's behind or next to you which means the 44 tonne attic may have to take evasive action which then has a knock on effect to traffic behind him and whilst you then bumble off oblivious to what going on the poor old lorry gets dogs abuse for making what to everyone else was a stupid manoeuvre. At 66 you are by means over the hill and incapable of driving and if you are just lacking a bit confidence why not try and find a local driving instructor or even talk to the advanced driving institute and go out in the mono and get some reassurance and a confidence boost and for the sake of a few quid your journeys will be much more enjoyable for both you and your wife which in turn will make the whole trip much nicer.
Just in case any missed it this is just my opinion and is not meant to upset anyone.

Shouldn’t the driver of the 44 ton artic leave enough room to stop or take evasive action?

 

[Phileas Fogg]

Our motorhome is a tiddler at 4250kgs, I would feel quite confident driving most things. Until I sold the car recently I drove regularly in classic car events and have driven in Canada's snow and ice many times. This year I am 73, a spring chicken. Nothing to do with age but it is to do with confidence, if you are really not confident then don't do it.
My late father used to take the old people shopping in his car, he was 93 at the time! He also served them lunch in the village hall, then one day parked his accident free Corsa, made a cup of tea, sat down to drink it and passed away. Now that is the way to do it.

 

[Warmleys]

Both over 70 both drive the motorhome over the years it has changed from 90/10% me/John to 55/45 mainly due to WW fan being an auto which we both love. Found it daunting getting back into it when I was in my 50s but a quick test drive with the hire company andI was fine.
Dies your wife drive could she be encouraged to give you a break?
First time I got in the van after lockdown I was a bit nervous but did get over it ok. Think the enforced staying at home has caused a lot of folks to be apprehensive about things they did without thinking.

She hasn't driven it yet but is less "flappable' than me. Thinking of getting a garmin sat nav that's designed with mo in mind. Today we went down so very narrow roads in Somerset. Off to Devon and Cornwall so will try to get one in Halford or PC world