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Denial of Freedom: More Tests for Drivers over 70?
Comments
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Hello Peter
You pointed out that there was no support for your opinion on this subject - it's probably that everyone who has posted has suffered/witnessed incidents with elderly drivers who do not seem capable of driving to an acceptable standard.
I hope that you have also noted that no one has condemned ALL elderly drivers and also that no one has suggested that all elderly drivers should have there driving licences taken from them.
The suggestion that a particular group of drivers should be reassessed on a regular basis to ensure that their driving is up to standard should be welcomed.
There comes a point in everyones life when they realise that they are unable to do the things they used to do (party until 3.00 in the morning and then into work, run for a bus without breaking into a sweat, work in the garden for a couple of hours without being stiff the next day, ets, etc.) and you adjust accordingly. Times change and so should people.
I do not think it sad that people do not support your view, merely that they are looking at it from a different angle and see things differently.
I personally see no problem with a person of any age driving - as long as it is safe for them and other road users to do so.
MTC0 -
Anyone who wears a hat in a car should have to undergo a retest every year as hat wearers are either a) people who have a car that can't go at more than 40mph or b) own dolled up Nova's that come with a megawatt hi-fi system, 5 mates & steamed up windows0
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Oi alanrowell that's my favourite hobbyhorse you've just climbed on :beer:
Inevitably when i see a bad piece of driving, my eyes are taken to what they are attired in, and guess what - it's usually a hat wearer !
I thought it was only me that had spotted it
MTC0 -
peterbaker wrote:2) So what if an elderly driver makes a mistake? You don't see many doing anything at speed. It is speed which kills and causes enormous damage to property. Nuiscance bumps, and ensuing descriptions of embarassed senior citizens blustering that they "did not see it" are nothing noteworthy. Indeed such reports to me appear disrespectful.
1. Knocking over and killing an unseen pedestrian on a crossing by driving through an unseen red light
2. driving while suffering from a tumour that puts pressure on the optic nerve, causing quintuple vision0 -
peterbaker wrote:Let me explain briefly why I think it is sad that few of you are prepared to accept ALL senior citizens as a special case:
1) Anyone over 70 endured enormous hardship in World War 2. Many BIG risks were taken with their health and well-being in order for the freedom-loving peoples of the world to win through against very nasty things indeed. Few of us since then have endured anything remotely similar. Our senior citizens literally fought for their freedom and ours. They represent what's left of a remarkable generation. They deserve special treatment. I think we can afford to endure a few small risks to tolerate their driving until they and their friends arrive at their own decision. And in 20 years time when most will be dead, the next tranche of senior citizens will still deserve special treatment. I don't know if you hadn't noticed, but generally senior citizens are nicer, more tolerant and wiser than the rest of us. For that alone they deserve special concessions, not special hassles. By the time we get there, they will already have enough special hassles to worry about associated with crap pensions schemes that were sold from under their noses down the river in recent years by hoards of faceless executives who think all life should be driven up the fast lane at 90 or alternatively be dumped unceremoniously on the hard shoulder.
all our elderly citizens deserve our respect however I can't see what that has to do with safety,I see nothing wrong in people of a certain age being required to have extra tests to ensure their and our safety.
I remember a discussion where a member was trying their best to persuade their elderly family member to give up driving ,now while I see no reason why anyone should give up just because they are old ........there was real concerns about this persons ability to drive safely........................how sad it would be if this person is in an accident and dies simply because they didn't realise their reactions had slowed to a dangerous point.
A test would show this ...................but it's not permissable or right to deny this person their right if they are capable of passing such a test............without giving them the opportunity.
How can that be wrong or in anyway disrespectful,to be honest I think ALL drivers should have re-tests at intervals through their driving lives.0 -
Both my parents are now dead but neither passed a driving test, because there was no such thing in their days. Both were excellent drivers, my father to competition level but a couple of years before my mother died she realised that she should no longer be driving MAINLY because she couldn't cope with the amount of traffic on todays roads.
The decision was hastened by a policeman at the door telling her that by pulling out of a side road she had caused a lorry to jack knife and was totally unaware that this had happened0 -
Peter
In the villages and towns in Cumbria (and i'm sure elsewhere) older people are a hugely valued, respected, appreciated and active part of society. In my area if it wasn't for the 'snow on top, but fire burns below' brigade, there would be very little happening !
But a sizeable minority of them are a menace to other road users & pedestrians.
Drivers such as the nice OAP who parked at 45 degrees to the road and the pavement, entirely blocking the Ambulance sation entrance, so she could talk to her friends, go shopping, vist post office etc, last saturday. When she returned, the conversation went like this.
Excuse me, said I, but you really shouldn't be parked here.
'But, I can', Said she ' because i have a disabled badge'.
'You're right' said I, 'I can see it on you dashboard. But that still does not mean you can stop the ambulances getting out'
'What ambulances ?'
'The 2 ambulances that are covered in high visibility markings, as big as a large van, that are 4 feet away from your bumper, underneath the big sign that says "Ambulance access needed 24 hours a day, do not obstruct"
"oh dear, i missed them. But i wasn't going to be more than 10 minutes or so anyway"
And off she went on her merry way.
Nice lady, could have chatted to her for hours - but should she still be driving, I don't think so.
However, the point that the IAM was making related to road safety and not community matters. They were not suggesting a blanket ban on older drivers, merely that they should be regularly assessed to ensure that they are still safe to drive.
This seems reasonable to me (I personally think that everyone should be assessed on a regular basis).
MTC0 -
peterbaker wrote:Let me explain briefly why I think it is sad that few of you are prepared to accept ALL senior citizens as a special case:
1) Anyone over 70 endured enormous hardship in World War 2. Many BIG risks were taken with their health and well-being in order for the freedom-loving peoples of the world to win through against very nasty things indeed. Few of us since then have endured anything remotely similar. Our senior citizens literally fought for their freedom and ours. They represent what's left of a remarkable generation. They deserve special treatment. I think we can afford to endure a few small risks to tolerate their driving until they and their friends arrive at their own decision. And in 20 years time when most will be dead, the next tranche of senior citizens will still deserve special treatment. I don't know if you hadn't noticed, but generally senior citizens are nicer, more tolerant and wiser than the rest of us. For that alone they deserve special concessions, not special hassles. By the time we get there, they will already have enough special hassles to worry about associated with crap pensions schemes that were sold from under their noses down the river in recent years by hoards of faceless executives who think all life should be driven up the fast lane at 90 or alternatively be dumped unceremoniously on the hard shoulder.
I generally lurk on forums, but I'm sorry, but this is one of the most absurd things I have ever read!
I'm not being disrespectful in any way, I am grateful for what people did during the war, but what bearing does that have on their ability to drive now? This isn't about stopping anyone over a certain age driving, its about stopping dangerous people over certain age. How can you think that it's OK to have dangerous people on the road just because they were in the war? That makes no sense!0 -
peterbaker wrote:which indicates a body of opinion which includes the Institute of Advanced Motorists apparently that says over 70s should be tested more rigorously than now.
I don't think there is anything going to happen except someones indication of a body of opinion...........................so no problem then:rolleyes:
no plans drawn up for these machines to be positioned round the country attacking our aged polulation......
has anyone got any links to anything concrete0 -
peterbaker wrote:1) Anyone over 70 endured enormous hardship in World War 2. Many BIG risks were taken with their health and well-being in order for the freedom-loving peoples of the world to win through against very nasty things indeed. Few of us since then have endured anything remotely similar. Our senior citizens literally fought for their freedom and ours. They represent what's left of a remarkable generation. They deserve special treatment.
Why????? IF I have understood you correctly then you are saying that they deserve special treatment because of what they went through years ago?
I agree that they did have to endure things that the younger generation did not, and they should be held in esteem but NOT in a driving arena. The basis of this arguement should be of safety NOT respect.peterbaker wrote:Well crazygirl, I am sorry you think what I said is absurd. I am amazed that so many respondents are looking for a logical link between respect for what our senior citizens stand for and their ability to drive. THERE IS NO LINK!
Sorry Peter, I'm confused. Is that not just exactly what you said above? I agree there is no link between the two, but your above comments read as though there should be?I think we can afford to endure a few small risks to tolerate their driving until they and their friends arrive at their own decision.
Do you really? I have to say this statement astonishes me. You obviously have a huge amount of respect which I applaud you for, but surely you should be able to see that 'a few small risks' could very well mean the difference between safety on the road and a serious accident. I saw a gentleman who was driving at 35 mph in a 60 mph zone pull out with no warning directly in the path of the car behind who was overtaking him. He was shaking and apologetic.....but he had pulled out to avoid litter on the road (think it was a crisp bag).
It's a simple medical fact that there is just not the same level of concentration when people age, although obviously the levels will differ.I don't know if you hadn't noticed, but generally senior citizens are nicer, more tolerant and wiser than the rest of us. For that alone they deserve special concessions, not special hassles.
With respect, it doesn't matter how nice or tolerant a person is, if they are a possible liability on the road then it's only right that they should come under scrutiny.
I think that ANY group of people whose driving skills come under question (elderly, very young, people who drink and drive etc) should all have to prove their roadworthiness.
Edited to add: I also think that people who drink drive should be banned for life immediately, with no second chance!
You can all shoot me if you like, but how hard is it.......oh I'm driving today, so I wont drink, at all, end of! Simple!Herman - MP for all!0
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