Today Old People are Really Getting on my Wick

[Randomnerd]

(Had to get that off my chest. Thank you)

Funny thing about forums, isn’t it? I got knocked off my bike by a dog a while back, and didn’t leave it long enough before moaning on here about irresponsible owners etc.. Quite a bit of unhelpful backlash ensued. Spleen venting sometimes best done in the shed, or with your head in the wardrobe. It would once have been ok to suggest you kick the dog instead, but I wouldn’t dream of writing that These Days. Chin up. It could be worse.

 

[BoldonLad]

Anyone who wants to drive a car should at some point be made to spend some time on two wheels, i belive it makes you a better car driver, not perfect, but at least more aware of the more vulnerable road users.

Would have to agree with this.

Passed my motorcycle test (first time) at age 64, after doing the course with a bunch of young whippersnappers (some of whom failed).

I already cycled quite extensively, but, widening my "experience" even further was a definate plus.

 

[snorri]

Just remember you will be like that one day

Not if he makes a habit of ranting like he did today.

 

[stephec]

I like your idea so much, that i am going to steal it and use it from now on.

Do you really think that people over 75 are safe to drive?

 

[Deleted member 26715]

Do you really think that people over 75 are safe to drive?

Do you really think that people under 75 are safe to drive?

 

[welsh dragon]

Do you really think that people over 75 are safe to drive?

. Yes. However i am not that old, and don't try to make people think that i am.​

 

[Dirk]

Do you really think that people over 75 are safe to drive?

Why have an arbitrary age limit? I know guys well into their 80s who are perfectly fit and capable. My next door neighbour is 91 and still driving safely (I've been out with him). My cycling buddy is 73 and fit as a flea - he's done 6000 miles this year and averages over 20 mph on a 40 mile ride.
Not every older person is incapable. Each case should be looked at individually.
It's strange how ageism seems to be acceptable from the younger generations, who rail so vociferously against so many other prejudices.

 

[Deleted member 26715]

Why have an arbitrary age limit?

Because that's the way we do things in this country, there is a limit & it's a one size fits all approach, across a multitude of life, age of consent, smoking, voting, speed limits, bowel cancer tests, etc. Your friends at whatever age could well be far better drivers than those in their 20's but that's not how it's done. The DSA test people to the minimum standard in a hope that over the years they use their experiences & become better drivers, I believe/know there are people who peak at their driving skills on the day they take their test & go downhill from there.

 

[screenman]

Do you really think that people over 75 are safe to drive?

Some are certainly and some 30 year olds are not.

 

[Dirk]

Because that's the way we do things in this country, there is a limit & it's a one size fits all approach, across a multitude of life, age of consent, smoking, voting, speed limits, bowel cancer tests, etc. Your friends at whatever age could well be far better drivers than those in their 20's but that's not how it's done. The DSA test people to the minimum standard in a hope that over the years they use their experiences & become better drivers, I believe/know there are people who peak at their driving skills on the day they take their test & go downhill from there.

I was actually questioning the reasoning why @stephec thought 75 should be the arbitrary cut off, not age limits per se.
As a matter of interest, it's the DVSA who do testing. The DSA ceased to exist in April 2014.

 

[welsh dragon]

I was actually questioning the reasoning why @stephec thought 75 should be the arbitrary cut off, not age limits per se.
As a matter of interest, it's the DVSA who do testing. The DSA ceased to exist in April 2014.

@stephec was just having a joke at me and my (alleged) age, not about drivers of any age. He knows i can take his jokes. . And i frequently do..

 

[Deleted member 26715]

As a matter of interest, it's the DVSA who do testing. The DSA ceased to exist in April 2014.

Yep another rebranding that probably cost us millions to implement with no better outcome a dire service that is still dire

 

[User10119]

Not every older person is incapable. Each case should be looked at individually.

My dad was well below 75 when he stopped being really safe to drive - probably in his early 60s. In hindsight, I'm not convinced he ever was a particularly brilliant driver to start off with although you don't tend to question that kind of stuff as a kid. And I never have been, regardless of age! Age, or more accurately age-related impairments that _some_ drivers may experience later in life, is just one factor that may contribute to poor driving. There are many others, which have nothing to do with age, including attitude, aptitude and level of training.

I think our current travel culture is so car-centric that many, possibly most, people view driving as a right not a privilege - but also that it can be really hard for people to go about their daily lives without the use of a car. I work in a number of different sites and there's a couple that are actually quite tricky to get to, especially in winter. Rubbish public transport connections and fairly unpleasant/alarming (especially in snow/ice etc) cycling routes.

 

[Vapin' Joe]

It's strange how ageism seems to be acceptable from the younger generations, who rail so vociferously against so many other prejudices.

That's because young people have no concept of the aging process and refuse to accept that they will be there themselves one day. Those who whine about pensioner benefits will be the ones most vociferously demanding them when they themselves are older.

We've all been there, done that.

 

[User10119]

Can I just say that despite being distinctly middle-aged but not quite old I don't think ageism is acceptable. My kids aren't here to check their views on the matter, but I do know from a previous conversation, several years ago, that the SmallestCub thought that cars are basically bad and people shouldn't be allowed to drive and we should have better cycle provision and public transport but when it was pointed out to him that his Granny would therefore be housebound as she was unable to walk to the bus stop he decided that an exemption should apply to people whose age or disabilities meant they really needed a car.