should old people be allowed to drive?

[gavroche]

yesterday, a 90 year old man mounted the pavement in his car and killed a 76 year lady and seriously injured the lady's friend. The man claimed that he blacked out.
I personnaly think that anyone over the age of 70 should re-sit a test that would test their reflexes ( emergency stop) ,their ability to read the road ahead ( roadsigns and perception of any danger ahead) and ability to perform manoeuvres safely.
Also, they should undergo a thorough medical exam and eye sight test.
Failure to achieve any of these successfully would revoke their licence for life as they would be unfit to drive.
The DSA ( driving standard agency) and insurance companies constantly blame young drivers for the level of accident but very rarely the elderly driver. Why?
As a driving instructor, I see old drivers every day failing to drive safely ( not signalling, bad road positioning, driving to slow on dual carriageways and indeed single carriageways...)
I am 61 myself and dread the day I wont be able to drive but I hope I will have the commonsense to see the signs and throw my car keys away when it happens.

 

[ianrauk]

To be honest I see more bad driving from younger drivers (teenagers/early 20's) then I do the older generation.

 

[smokeysmoo]

AFAIK all you have to do after 70 is see your doctor and apply for your licence every 3 years, (OK, maybe over simplified this), but I suspect a lot can potentially happen inside 3 years at that age.

I don't know the answer but perhaps the system could/should/ought to be changed/amended/improved.

 

[Vapin' Joe]

I used to be an ADI and I part agree with you, being two tears younger than yourself. I think an eyesight, mobility and reaction test should be compulsory at seventy but not nescessarily a driving test because nerves on the day would effect an older person much more than it would a teenager.

 

[Andy_R]

Wouldn't it be fairer to group drivers by their ability rather than their ages? "Good" drivers and "Less than adequate" (I'm being polite here because this is a family forum) would seem to do it for me.

 

[rusky]

TBH, I think everyone should have to re-sit a test every 5 or 10 years.

 

[slowmotion]

To be honest I see more bad driving from younger drivers (teenagers/early 20's) then I do the older generation.

I'm fairly sure that the RTA fatality statistics bear this out.

 

[Arch]

TBH, I think everyone should have to re-sit a test every 5 or 10 years.

This.

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

I think it's a bit unfair to tar all older drivers with the same brush. Sure, there are some who shouldn't be on the road but there are plenty more other drivers who shouldn't be on the road either.

Old doesn't have to mean doddery - on a trip with my grandfather when he was in his eighties, he managed to avoid an accident (with an idiot who pulled out without looking) that I'm not sure I could have done.

Personally the drivers I'd like to see retested are the middle aged ones in high powered cars who think the rules don't apply to them.

 

[Vapin' Joe]

TBH, I think everyone should have to re-sit a test every 5 or 10 years.

Logistically impossible, and it would make no difference. The aggressive drivers are the ones with bags of confidence and good car control but poor attitudes. They'd piss a test and then carry on as before, it would be the poor ordinary Joe whose nerves would get the better of them on the day.

 

[DiddlyDodds]

I am 61 myself and dread the day I wont be able to drive but I hope I will have the commonsense to see the signs and throw my car keys away when it happens.

I doubt that day will come, as on that day you will be admitting you are giving up any Independence that you have, and to decide you will have to rely on others and useless public transport to get around to hospital appointments etc will keep you in your car.

I see old people that walk very slowly and painfully with sticks, but then get in cars and drive no different than they would 30 years ago , as the car is there legs and there mind is still as sharp as it ever was.

 

[Crackle]

Compulsory re-test and if they fail.....

 

[PaulB]

yesterday, a 90 year old man mounted the pavement in his car and killed a 76 year lady and seriously injured the lady's friend. The man claimed that he blacked out.
I personnaly think that anyone over the age of 70 should re-sit a test that would test their reflexes ( emergency stop) ,their ability to read the road ahead ( roadsigns and perception of any danger ahead) and ability to perform manoeuvres safely.
Also, they should undergo a thorough medical exam and eye sight test.
Failure to achieve any of these successfully would revoke their licence for life as they would be unfit to drive.
The DSA ( driving standard agency) and insurance companies constantly blame young drivers for the level of accident but very rarely the elderly driver. Why?
As a driving instructor, I see old drivers every day failing to drive safely ( not signalling, bad road positioning, driving to slow on dual carriageways and indeed single carriageways...)
I am 61 myself and dread the day I wont be able to drive but I hope I will have the commonsense to see the signs and throw my car keys away when it happens.

All due respect and that but you are a driving instructor and use the term 'accident'? Surely that's been consigned to the dustbin of history?

 

[ufkacbln]

The DSA ( driving standard agency) and insurance companies constantly blame young drivers for the level of accident but very rarely the elderly driver. Why?

Because all the figures show that young drivers have more accidents, make more claims, are more likely to speed, are more likely to drink or use drugs.......

 

[gavroche]

Because all the figures show that young drivers have more accidents, make more claims, are more likely to speed, are more likely to drink or use drugs.......

Possibly, but old drivers are rarely quoted although they can be a danger on the road. At least, young drivers have good reactions and are fitter. When I was young, I used to drive fast and take risks. This is part of being young, thinking one will live for ever and underestimating dangers. This is normal and will never change. Being old slows you down in all respects and should be taken into consideration when driving. Zero accidents is utopia.