Re: To old to drive?
 

My husband was a train driver prior to retirement and had to have a medical and eye test every two years from the age of 55. Train drivers are not allowed to drive a train wearing varyfocal glasses either , as the variation distorts the vision or at least thats what the powers that be say.

Re: To old to drive?
 

like i said before a medical is only good for that day it was done on... 6 months down the line could be totally different answer .. i should know .. i passed a medical i was fit to drive, 1 week later got my driving licence .. 5 days after that i had another fit .. So having a medical ..and then 6 months later i passed the medical .. doesnt mean you are fit to drive.

Re: To old to drive?
 

All in all a very emotive issue, with views polarising one side against the other (Old pointing to Young & Middle aged, Middle aged pointing to Old & Young then the Young pointing at the Old that's any one past 22). Unfortunately every age group has its' problem children !

I travel quite a lot doing about 100 mile a day to & fro to work, that's not counting the mileage I do at work. Every day there are a few incidents that set you to thinking, how the hell did they get & continue to hold a licence. I must admit at times I do myself behave badly behind the wheel ! I don't see the root of the problem as an age issue, more a conditioning/environment concern.

As to testing, anyone regardless of age who consistently causes problems or is involved in incidents quite frequently should be re-educated & if need be, re-tested & assessed as to their suitability to own & drive what in reality is a dangerous blunt instrument, likely to cause harm, damage or even death when not used safely & correctly.

From what I can glean from the tabloids that we get over here, what apparently happened was an older driver had a seizure, he then lost control of his vehicle which then ran off the road & ended up very sadly killing an 18 month old child whose mother was also critically injured in the incident & by all accounts is still in a serious condition in the Hospital.

No one was at fault, irrespective of age it could've well been someone younger driving the vehicle who'd had a medical condition rendering them incapable of controlling the vehicle. The saddest thing about it all is that it was a complete catalouge of mishaps & misfortunes, fate if you will, that put these people in this place at this time which ended in such a sad & sorry outcome.

Re: To old to drive?
 

May I attempt to put things into some sort of perspective as I feel very strongly that too much speculation can only serve to aggravate what is becoming a very diverse debate. I finished my police career as a Traffic Patrol Sergeant with a hard earned 1st Class Advanced Driving qualification which required a much higher standard of knowledge and ability to acquire than the civilian version. Over the years I and my colleagues visited, supervised and investigated countless accident scenes ranging from minor damages, through to serious injuries and fatalities, in all weathers and on road categories ranging from country lanes to trunk roads and motorways. I can honestly state that the number of blameworthy accidents I attended that were attributed to elderly drivers was but a fraction of those caused by young, inexperienced and reckless drivers whose engine power far exceeded their mental ability to cope with the responsibilities that the holding of a licence to drive demands.

I rest my case.

Re: To old to drive?
 

Gayle, I agree that over the years most drivers acquire bad habits...but these usually do not lead to accidents.
When you pass your driving test you think you know it all...it is only when you get out on the road on your own that you realise that this is when the real learning takes place.
Over the years you adapt to different driving conditions and your experience builds......you change, you evolve.....some people become better drivers, some people are sloppy thoughtless irresponsible drivers.

As you get older(well this is my take on the situation anyway) you realise that driving is a dangerous pastime......I think the young folk tend to think they are immortal, but as you get older you realise you are just a mortal and that the big metal vehicle has the power to kill both you as the driver, and take any passenger or pedestrian too.

I think any driver who does not realise that they are past their best is irresponsible.
As you get older you are forced, sometimes by circumstance to realise and accept your limitations.......and those folk who say they would not give up driving(even when they know they are not competent anymore) unless they are forced to, are risking their own and other peoples lives by their foolishness.

Re: To old to drive?
 

everyone developes bad driving habbits but a lot of people are just plain ignorant as in failure to indicate, drive around with fog lights on etc and then theres those morons who are in such a rush they jump red ligthts way after they have changed, drive up your arse trying to make you go faster and speed up towards mini roundabouts so as to get there first instead of approaching carefully and they know damn well that unless they crash the police wont show the slightest bit of interest because unless thres a camera to do their work for them traffic laws are rarely enforced but then again a few more traffic cops wouldnt hurt either.Oh and lets not forget the cretins who fail to keep their cars roadworthy and cant even be bothered to change a lightbulb in their headlights.

its time that instead of simply sticking lumps or tarmac in the road and speed cameras for the police to start concentrating on the idiots who are doing a lot worse than going 5mph over the limit

Re: To old to drive?
 

I don't agree that there is a right position for your hands. I think you should hold the wheel in a position that is comfortable for you that still allows you to drive safely.

On the motorway I usually have one hand at 3 o'clock on the steering wheel. I have avoided many near misses form cars pulling into my path ect and always feel fully in control of the car.

And yes I do use my mirrors all the time. I like to know who is where around me.

Re: To old to drive?
 

I was taught that the mirror should be looked upon as 'your third eye' when driving. My advanced instructors would unexpectedly cover the interior mirror with a sheet of paper, and woe betide you if you couldn't tell them what was behind you. Similarly they would require to know what was the last traffic sign that you saw. How many of todays young drivers could comply?

Re: To old to drive?
 

When I am changing lanes on the motorway I know where the cars are around me but always check to make sure someone has not just made a quick move. It is very unusual to find a car in my mirror when I am about to move - if you know what I mean?

Re: To old to drive?
 

Hence the need for a 'shoulder check' before carrying out any such manouevre - particularly on trunk roads and motorways where the speed limits are higher.

Re: To old to drive?
 

I always do look over my shoulder before lane changing even though I am sure it is clear by using my mirrors.

I drive almost to Liverpool and back 4 days a week for work, I know the risks I take driving and don't want to increase the risks by not driving carefully.

Re: To old to drive?
 

I don't agree with a shoulder check .. distracts you for a couple of seconds of what is in front of you. Wing mirrors and rear view mirror are adequate, particularly if you look more carefully in driver's side mirror for any blind spots. We will always be guilty of blind spots at some time though. Even me .. tee hee.

Re: To old to drive?
 

I have looked in all my mirrors in the past then looked over my shoulder and seen a car sat there at almost the same speed as me. Without looking over my shoulder I would have pulled straight into him at 70mph

Re: To old to drive?
 

yup they teach you about blind spots for a reason and thats the main one , the motorway is full of idiots who just pull across lanes without checking or even indicating and then they wonder whos to blame when their car is been towed away bythe wreckage collectors and they wake up in hospital :rolleyes:

Re: To old to drive?
 

We have to make allowances for Kate, she is old and female :p:rolleyes::D

Re: To old to drive?
 

Cheeky Sprogg. More driving experience under my belt than you'll ever have ...:p

As long as we all take care, and be aware that any new manoeuvre is potentially dangerous and do our best to avoid collisions by observing, indicating and anticipating others, then that is what is important.

Re: To old to drive?
 

sory kate im not saying your a rubbish driver but by not checking over your shoulder especially on a motorway the monouver is extreemly dangerous before you have even made it because like neil said your mirrors may look clear but there can be a car just to the side of you that they dont pick up and thats why the look over the shoulder is important infact failing to do so on a driving test when pulling out is an instant fail

unless you have an extra blind spot mirror that is which sticks to your standard mirror :)

Re: To old to drive?
 

Whatever Accyman ... realise can't argue with a fella. There is not one driver .. no matter how careful they are, have not had a last minute readjustment just after spotting a car on your right whilst wanting to move into the next lane. Happens to all of us now and then. If your mirrors are set correctly and you look twice, shouldn't be a problem ... find looking over my shoulder is more distracting for anything that may happen in front of you.

Just because they may recommend it in a driving test, does not mean it is the safest way, particularly on a motorway where speeds are high and you can travel a huge distance whilst looking over your shoulder and not aware of what is going on in front of you. I would always do it from a standing start ... other hazards involved here.

Ah well, never hit owt yet.

Re: To old to drive?
 

probably because so far everyone has managed to dodge out of your way :p:p:p:D

Re: To old to drive?
 

Hmmmph. Just something I am not comfortable with Accyman that's all .. you do whatever you think is the safest. You are in danger of moving the wheel down or changing your body position or cricking your neck whilst doing this . I find it uncomfortable.

Re: To old to drive?
 

All modern cars have the light/indicator controls set around the ten-to-two position which time and experience has evaluated at the best position by which to maintain proper control of said vehicle.

Re: To old to drive?
 

its just where my hand ends up with my arm on the door rest.

Re: To old to drive?
 

Heart attacks ( and I believe this will be the result of the post mortem) are no respecters of age, I have a friend who has had one just this friday, a young man, with a wife and 2 kids, an ex rugby player, fit and well built. He is in Blackpool Hospital now. If I had a God I would offer a prayer. Life is fleeting and much as it has pained me this week thinking "if only she had stopped for a minute or been that minute later getting out of Wilkinsons."...you have to accept that is destiny, crap though it may seem.

Re: To old to drive?
 

have followed this tragic story,whilst away, my thoughts are heart attacks n stuff like that are no respectors of age, but eyesight, response times etc sure are, used to know a guy who croaked 3 years back, he stopped driving one day at 67, cos he felt he had lost summat in driving prowess, unlike what kate says, i will stop, the time i feel i aint up to the mark, personally i think anyone who continues when they know they aint up to it, are thoughtless, selfish pigs, but quite a few of those about.:rolleyes:

Re: To old to drive?
 

Debates like this one, and the recent discussion on the why's and wherefores of roundabout negotiation are only to be welcomed on a site like this. Any debate that gets people thinking about their shortcomings or otherwise can only result in a better level of concentration when out and about on 'The Queen's Highway'.