Words failed me....

[Arch]

What would you rather the old man did - stay at home and rely on the social services to collect his pension, or maintain enough independence to get to the post office (even though it was obviously a monumental struggle for him by the sounds of things) and mildly inconvenience you.

There's mild inconvenience, and there's being run over on the pavement...

I live in a town full of old people and never feel in mortal danger of platoons of mobility scooters roaring around. There are far more yoofs on bikes on pavements even in a sleepy town on the South Coast

Sorry to go on but it's my job to keep old people as independent as possible so I feel strongly about it

As with any class of driver/cyclist/pedestrian, there are good and bad on mobility scooters. In my previous existance working in a supermarket, I had a shop-lifting oldie ride his straight at me as I tried to reclaim some madeira cake from him - we'd long since given up thinking of prosecuting him, but just wanted our property back. He set off up the crowded pavement, and you could see poeple leaping aside as he barrelled along. I know it doesn't make them all the same, but it's a worry that people aren't required to have any training, and someone who may never have driven can get in one and take it along a pavement.... Although I don't think age comes into it all the time - in cities with shopmobility hire centres, you often see relatively young people on scooters in the shopping centres, sometimes with a grandchild on their lap for good measure....

Independence is very important, I agree - I think I'll rather die than be totally reliant on others - but you have to think about safety too. You wouldn't leave someone to live alone if they were prone to leaving the gas on and then lighting a ciggie, would you?

 

[Sh4rkyBloke]

I've no disrespect for older people, the fact is if he's not fit to be driving then he shouldn't be driving. Simple really. As much as it's very commendable that he's maintaining his independence, should he be doing it whilst risking other people's lives????

 

[Crankarm]

I agree

The link to the car knocking down the cyclist was a shocker of course

The rest of the post, I feel, is just slagging off old people. Would you call him a coffin dodger to his face?
What do you call coloured people / homosexuals?

What would you rather the old man did - stay at home and rely on the social services to collect his pension, or maintain enough independence to get to the post office (even though it was obviously a monumental struggle for him by the sounds of things) and mildly inconvenience you.

I live in a town full of old people and never feel in mortal danger of platoons of mobility scooters roaring around. There are far more yoofs on bikes on pavements even in a sleepy town on the South Coast

Sorry to go on but it's my job to keep old people as independent as possible so I feel strongly about it

......you wouldn't be a senior person in the advanced years category would you by any chance???

Perhaps you would prefer if there were more oldies such as John Kellet 82 driving their cars around when they are clearly incapable. Nice one .

Here's another coffin dodger who drove into promising triathlete Paula Craig back in 2002 who is now permanently paralysed and in a wheel chair.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2002/apr/14/athletics.jonhenderson

I don't have an issue with OAPs per se only when they themselves, their family or the authorities allow them to continue driving, which I don't need to tell you is a highly complex and hazardous activity needing all ones faculties. As for your observations that much younger and apparently more capable drivers have collisions, run over, injure and kill cyclists and pedestrians just reinforces my above contention that these coffin dodgers should not be driving on the roads unless they have been assessed as being physically and mentally capable of being fit enough to drive. Once over 70 years old a driver who wishes to continue driving should be tested every year as is the case for vehicles over 3 years old by the MOT.

As for me I shall be riding a bike until I die, more than likely I'll be on it when I go if the frequency of cycling fatalities is anything to go by . I shall not be infirm or doddery. Very few people who have cycled all their lives and make it to old age are so .

I think George Burns or Frank Benny said something like "Anyone one can live to be a grand old age the trouble is getting there."

 

[Crankarm]

I live in a town full of old people

Eastbourne?

... and never feel in mortal danger of platoons of mobility scooters roaring around. There are far more yoofs on bikes on pavements even in a sleepy town on the South Coast

Spritely 70 year olds hanging outside the offy, Spar and the bowls club .

...Sorry to go on

No that's quite alright you probably don't talk with many youngsters

.....but it's my job to keep old people as independent as possible so I feel strongly about it

Do you work for Age Concern then?

I'm all for keeping old people independent but not to the detriment of other road users' safety.

 

[mangaman]

Just to make things a bit clearer for you

......you wouldn't be a senior person in the advanced years category would you by any chance???

No

Perhaps you would prefer if there were more oldies such as John Kellet 82 driving their cars around when they are clearly incapable. Nice one .

No - I believe people incapable of driving at any age should have their licence revoked

Here's another coffin dodger who drove into promising triathlete Paula Craig back in 2002 who is now permanently paralysed and in a wheel chair.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2002/apr/14/athletics.jonhenderson

I don't have an issue with OAPs per se only when they themselves, their family or the authorities allow them to continue driving, which I don't need to tell you is a highly complex and hazardous activity needing all ones faculties. As for your observations that much younger and apparently more capable drivers have collisions, run over, injure and kill cyclists and pedestrians just reinforces my above contention that these coffin dodgers should not be driving on the roads unless they have been assessed as being physically and mentally capable of being fit enough to drive. Once over 70 years old a driver who wishes to continue driving should be tested every year as is the case for vehicles over 3 years old by the MOT.

I never mentioned younger drivers or anything else in this paragraph - maybe you're confusing me with Tyred.

I agree with repeating driving tests - where did I say I don't

As for me I shall be riding a bike until I die, more than likely I'll be on it when I go if the frequency of cycling fatalities is anything to go by . I shall not be infirm or doddery. Very few people who have cycled all their lives and make it to old age are so .

OK congratulations - I hope you get your wish not to get infirm or doddery although there are no guarantees

I think George Burns or Frank Benny said something like "Anyone one can live to be a grand old age the trouble is getting there."

 

[Fnaar]

If I ever have to have a mobility scooter, boy, am I gonna pimp that mutha!

 

[threebikesmcginty]

If I ever have to have a mobility scooter, boy, am I gonna pimp that mutha!

Chap round our way has one done up a bit like the General Lee from Dukes of Hazzard - conferate flags, etc. Wears a stetson and has a CD player with loud country music on it. He is a feckin' eejit mind!

 

[Fnaar]

He is a feckin' eejit mind!

That bit, I can do very well!

 

[Crankarm]

Just to make things a bit clearer for you

Hmmm...So we agree. Glad I cleared that up .

Tis MY belief that all those reaching the age of 70 years young should be tested every year should they wish to continue driving.

 

[mangaman]

Hmmm...So we agree. Glad I cleared that up .

Tis MY belief that all those reaching the age of 70 years young should be tested every year should they wish to continue driving.

We do agree - except I would not be ageist about it and I'd go further.

Why not test everyone every few years?

This could, I agree, be done more frequently in the frail elderly

(And I don't live in Eastbourne )

 

[purplepolly]

One day you'll find yourself in a similar position of being old and infirm. When that time comes, do you want young people to show the same lack of understanding and respect to you as you are showing now to old people?

I've mentioned before that my eyesight is borderline legal to drive with glasses but perfect with contact lenses. When I can't wear contacts, which has sometimes been for a couple of months, I don't drive. The reason is that I know from swapping between glasses and contacts that borderline legal is simply not adequate for safe driving and I'm not selfish enough to put my independence before other peoples right to life and not be hospitalized. One day my eyesight may well get worse and that'll mean I won't drive at all. That however is just something that has to be lived with and will be easier because I've not allowed myself to become dependent on the car.

I've therefore no sympathy at all for people like this. We're not after all talking about someone who can't park their car straight. We're talking about someone who's driving a heavy vehicle at fast enough speeds to damage people without being able to see where they're going adequately.