How to report an elderly driver that is clearly unable to drive properly

fionajbanana

Mojisola wrote: »

How does this work? All my Dad got was a form he had to sign to say that he was still fit to drive - he didn't have to have a driving assessment or medical check.

Most people find it very difficult to tell someone else that their driving is deteriorating so, now we're getting older, we've decided that we're going to have our driving assessed every few years by a driving instructor to make sure we're still safe on the road.

I am the OP of this thread. My late grandmother who had cataracts in both eyes and arthritis in her left arm, ticked the box on the form saying she had no medical problems. She had to change gear with both hands!:eek:

I cannot remember what exactly happened for her to stop driving.

Iceweasel

McKneff wrote: »

Would someone define 'Old' please....

No problem there, my Friend.

'Old' is at least 20 years older than I am.

Sorry - make that 40 years.

dacouch

spacey2012 wrote: »

Insurance companies know how to judge risks and who is a "better driver".
They are the absolute undisputed experts at it.
Bets on who pays the least insurance out of him and you ?

Unless the OP is a young driver it would be the OP as Insurers tend to either refuse drivers over 85 or very heavily load them

scotsbob

photome wrote: »

Lots of old people are a menace on the road for that exact reason. many roads in norfolk have variable limits, one I can think of goes from 60 to 40 to 30, 20 ,30, to 40 and then back to 60 in the space of about 2 to 3 miles, yet many times I will follow and old person who is doing 40 ish in the 60 and then contionues to do exact same speed through all the limits!!!!!

I get help up in the 60 and then they disappear in the lower limits only for me to catch up again in the 60.

How can anyone say this type of driver isnt a danger, they clearly have no concept of the speed they are doing

The speed limit is exactly that, a limit.

It is not a target that you have to achieve as you seem to think.

photome

scotsbob wrote: »

The speed limit is exactly that, a limit.

It is not a target that you have to achieve as you seem to think.

No where have I said its a target

But when the conditions allow it is the law that says it is safe to drive to that limit anyone driving excessivley below that limit is being inconsiderate

you conveniently ignored the fact the same driver who is doing 20 less is then doing 20 more than the speed limit in the space of a few minutes

are you telling me that driver is a sfe driver

Bennifred

Judging by the number of my friends who talk about it, a lot of people in their 50s and 60s are guilty of worrying about older relatives standard of driving without doing anything about it. They worry more about the relatives' loss of independence than the possible consequences.

I understand the fear of losing one's licence - I have to re-apply every three years for mine, for medical reasons (I am in my fifties). The DVLA don't just take my word for it that I am well enough to drive, though - they question my GP and consultant. There should be a similar system for older folk, too - or regular re-tests for everybody. Maybe every ten years or so, and more often over seventy years old?

fionajbanana

People's health and ages vary. I know people who are 70 and don't look their age and their health is wonderful. I also know people that are in their mid 50s and their general health is worse than the healthy 70 year olds.

anotherbaldrick

or regular re-tests for everybody. Maybe every ten years or so, and more often over seventy years old?

At least the septuagenarians are not the ones who having just passed their test, think they are invulnerable and that it cool the get comprehensively bevvied pile all your mates and girls in and hit the by-pass for a burn up. Not round here anyway.

anotherbaldrick

dacouch wrote: »

Unless the OP is a young driver it would be the OP as Insurers tend to either refuse drivers over 85 or very heavily load them

As I have progressed beyond the age of indiscretion towards decomposition I have found my insurance premium decreasing.

mcfisco

photome wrote: »

But when the conditions allow it is the law that says it is safe to drive to that limit anyone driving excessivley below that limit is being inconsiderate

I have a car that won't make it much past 45
Is the car being inconsiderate?