What Do You Think?

[TWR]

The 100 Year old Drivers, Wed ITV 8pm, Is it time these elderly folk called it a day?

[VHG]

I wonder how many accidents / deaths are caused by these old drivers compared to young drivers.

This article says "In 2013 – the latest year for which figures are available – 234 teenage car passengers were killed or seriously injured in Britain when the young driver (17-19) they were travelling with was involved in a crash".

More here

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/may/14/rac-highlights-teenage-driver-death-toll

[Old_Geezer]

Last Wed or next Wed ?

Seems to me it is down to the abilities of the individual driver. What a downer to learn you can not even take yourself where you want to go any more, stuck relying on others or public transport, or left in your home. What a massive drop in life quality. Dreading that myself.

There is a wide range of acceptable behaviours on the road to the alert and reactive to the slow and sure. So long as the driver isn't too hesitant and able to see and avoid issues then it should be ok.

[Canary42]

Do you mean euthanasia - or just giving up driving ;=)

Seriously though, in most cases yes, but it really depends on their ability. I like to think I will know when to hang up my driving gloves, but it's all about quality of life (and the awful bus services). I already use public transport in preference to driving when it's feasible, but it so often isn't (e.g. went to theatre last night to see Educating Rita - last bus well gone even by interval time).

[ummmm]

I do think they should give up. My nan was driving well past her capabilities and was a danger on the roads.

[Old_Geezer]

Not to be mixed up. Giving up driving is the problem, euthanasia the most effective solution.

[Canary42]

:-D

[Cloverjo]

Some people are a danger on the roads when they become very old. I have a neighbour who is, but then some not so old people are dangerous also.
It worries me that they (elderly people) self-certify their safety. Perhaps they should have a short test when they get to 70. (I'm not saying 70 is old BTW, just that that is the age our original licenses expire).

[ummmm]

The roads have changed so much since they learnt to drive. A quick test might be the answer. If 70 plus don't feel confident to take a test then there's your answer.

[EDDIE51]

The main problem is eyesight. They just have to self certify that they still meet the eyesight requirements once every 3 years when they renew their licence. They should have to produce an opticians certificate to prove it.
That simple measure would solve most of the problems and pick up other sight problems as well. We all know of elderly drivers who are virtually blind! We had to stop my Mum driving at the age of 83 when she could not see where she had left her car.She could not see well enough to recognize it in the car park.

[TWR]

This coming Wed O.G. 15th.

[ToraToraTora]

If they can meet the requirements, then they can carry on, age is irrelevant. They should be tested regularly for reactions/eyesight etc but I don't beleive that some sort of arbitrary age limit should be imposed.

[hc4361]

The roads may have changed greatly since they took their test, but this didn't happen overnight. They weren't driving on quiet roads one day and suddenly on the congested, complicated road system we have now the next.
They have had time to adapt and if they've survived driving on these busy, modern roads for the last 30 years they must have adapted pretty darn well.

[Baldric]

Scary!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j52UPdvbE-0

[vulcan42]

I agree with most of what TTT says, but I don't think age is completely irrelevant. The longer you drive the more experience you gain and that should contribute to safer driving. I am not a hundred but fall in to the elderly group, consequently my eyesight and hearing is tested yearly so really all that is in question is my reflex action. After a few days of driving I'm quite happy with that as it was tested three times in one day in emergency stops because of people, young and old, driving out of side roads without stopping and in one case I noticed, without even looking.
So, no I don't think they should be automatically banned based solely on age, but retesting should be considered at some stage.

[BRIGHT SPARK]

I think we all should take a re test every 15 years.However my wifes dad never took a test and was still towing a caravan a few times a year, between Ayr and Cornwall...the only scrape he had was with the gatepost when he reversed the caravan into his drive.

[BRIGHT SPARK]

...he was 92!

[derekpara]

I agree with TTT.

Ability is the issue - and the key is safety on the road. I am 82 and have been driving since 1955 ! I was always keen on driving, particularly safe driving, and took my IAM test at age 79. My vision is 20/20 ( with glasses) and I am very fit and still working actively. Oh, and I've still got all my marbles.

Age should be taken into consideration and I would be in favour of, say, two-yearly tests for the over 70's as a precaution.