over 70's re-tests ?

[phizzy]

did any of you fill in the answerbank poll on the above subject, personally i think the 20 to 35 year olds should be re-tested, from what i see and hear this is the age group that cause most accidents, and no i am not over 70, just a responsible driver, with max' no claims, but who's premium seems to rise every year, probably paying for others.

[cazzz1975]

I have max no claims phizzy and I am in that age bracket, you should try using a price comparison site to find cheaper car insurance.

I see a lot of older drivers who are very dangerous as well as younger folk...

[phizzy]

hi caz' - yes i agree with what you say about older drivers, maybe i was guilty of categorising in the same way as the poll was doing, so maybe all drivers should be re-tested, say every 15 years, a bit more money for gordon perhaps,
anyhow i think we both made a valid point, - having said that we will be lucky if we can afford fuel in 15 years time, i imagine other countries, middle east and far east will 'outbid' us for fuel supplies, maybe mp's will get some on expenses. (sorry getting carried away nowso i will shut up) happy motoring and watch out for that 18 to 100 year old driver. cheers phizzy.

[jake-the-peg]

I think the over 70's should not need a retest.

But they should need an eyesight test.

No excuse - easy and cheap and if you can't see well enough you can't be allowed to drive.

Ability may not drop but we all know eyesight often does

[phizzy]

jake - i think you are spot on there, this is something most people, inlcuding your's truly take for granted, i think i have seen people driving almost as if by braille. take care - cheers phizzy.

[TWR]

Most definitely, I have total respect for the elderly as I am getting there my self ( 60) I have had 38+ HGV driving &been assessed on many occasions, + a FULL MEDICAL, what standards I see now is unbelievable by the Elderly, 20 Min's trying to park a car, 15 Min's trying to get out, right hand indicator turning left, I understand many of the Elderly have never taken a test but I think the time has come for a test to be completed for their own safety & others, I will more than likely get some bad comments over this but I believe the time has come to help them to help others to make the roads safer, A lot of the elderly cannot see they are a danger, If they cannot pass a test, well you have to go with safety.

[Drisgirl]

I agree that there has to be some kind of 'fitness' test if over 70.
Plus if you havent ever passed a test and are over 70 then I think that you should have to. Some have no clue how to navigate roundabouts ,traffic lights etc and i'm not being ageist as my parents are over 70 but its a fact.
I followed my neighbour from Perth a few weeks back and my son was tutting at me getting agitated -then he could see the reason -there was at least 20-25 cars behind him on a country road and he was doing between 10-15 mph -now he would have been charged by the Police as that is classed as dangerous driving.I had to keep stopping -as did others -and then lashing into 1st again as the car just couldnt travel at that speed. very frustrating and dangerous -o and selfish.

[phizzy]

twr and drisgirl - can't say i can argue with either of you, but i still think the '1000 watt blaring out' and the 'mobile (still even yet) stuck in the ear' drivers are more likely to be the majority of crash causes, and at school times it is like a rat run near where i live, male and female drivers, having said all that, each one of us probably thinks we are the best driver in the world (and you can't all be as good as me - just kidding) Anyway i am off to bed now, car safely parked up on the fence,i've hung my teeth up and put my car keys in steradent, or is it ..........? cheers phizzy

[vulcan]

Until the whole driving/testing system is overhauled
accidents will continue to happen irrespective of age. A learner is not taught to drive but to pass the driving test, which itself is the biggest cause of accidents as it is totally inadequate for the modern age.Night driving,speed,motorway,skid pad skills are not taught but once the learner has passed the test,they are legally allowed to drive on the motorway,up to seventy miles an hour in freezing fog at nighttime.
everybody should be tested one year after passing the test and every five years after that.
Insurance companies should reflect the increased standard of driving by giving better discounts on policies, after all, if the standard of driving rises, they will spend less money on repairs and be able to issue cheaper policies.
No doubt the government will say that all this extra testing will be too expensive but how many millions are spent each year dealing with death and destruction on our roads ?

[Drisgirl]

I agree Vulcan to a degree -my son passed his test today and hasnt driven on a motorway -yet he has to to drive his new car back to his home -on a motorway !!.He will sit his pass plus as he thinks it will be advantageous but alas its not compulsory.
I have to say he isnt confident so he coming to my home after picking the car up and spending a couple of days gaining confidence before he embarks.At least he has the sense to realise his capabilities -a lot dont -so in that respect i feel the current test should be expanded.
Re insurance -his quote was cut from 2k to 1.3k if he passed his pass plus as they 'reward' that as equivelant to one years no claims -good shout from the Insurance companies I would say !!

[Drisgirl]

O BTW phizzy -I live next to a school and its a bleeding nightmare -cant walk the length of themselves but they all would gladly put any child in danger with double parking and parking on corners -the Police did have to intervene -it was manic -this was all along with school buses.School closed on Tuesday for the last time -new one built -see how they all like it on their doorstep now -tee hee.

lol @ your 'senior' moments -i'm already having them :)

[jake-the-peg]

You have to be very elderly not to have taken a driving test TWR.

It was introduced in 1934 so even if you were 25 when they were introduced you'd be 100 now.

I'd be surprised if there was anyone still driving who'd not had to take one

[TWR]

Jake - The -Peg, one big difference, the cars are more advanced, speed, volume of traffic, you do not have to be a scientist to work out the figures. ( With respect to your answer)

[ChuckFickens]

While I don't think there should be compulsory re-tests for all those over 70 I think that the new photo card licenses should be made compulsory and then there should be compulsory eye-tests at least (or even mini medical, including drug tests) each time the license is renewed (every ten years) regardless of the holders age.

[phizzy]

well vulcan, drisgirl, jake.., twr and chuck, we certainly got a good cross section of answers there, thanks for your responses, it feels good when there is a response to postings even when they are not of the same 'thinking, and chuck a special mention :- i'm glad we are not in a 'spoonerism' contest i think you would win hands down! strewth just imagine after a few jars #**#~ cheers phizzy.
ps i'm about to post a new 'question'

[hc4361]

Driving tests were suspended during WWII and in 1947 drivers could convert their provisional licences to full licences without taking a test.
So there are people in their 70s who have full licences without taking a test.

[rutineli]

It is only common sense that drivers of advancing years should have their basic skills checked regularly. Sometimes older drivers can find themselves in the position of having forgotten where they are going or where they are and are stranded for hours.
If that confusion kicks in then the safety of other road users must be at risk. Nobody wishes to deprive older drivers of an important lifeline but it must be safe for every road user of any age. Basic response times and eyesight and distance perception are essential and such tests shoulfd be required from 60 onwards

[Merlyn]

Rutineli I agree that older drivers should re re-assessed. My husband is 87 (20 years older that me) and was concerned he was not up to scratch. He had a driving instructor take him on a 'test' and passed the only thing pointed out to him was that as he came out of a roundabout to keep left he should look in his mirror to make sure no-one was coming up on his inside. He does not drive on motorways any more. I would suggest that maybe 73+ are assessed by a driving instructor and if necessary have to take lessons to bring them up to scratch. Also anyone who causes an accident or is done for speeding/driving without due care and attention should have to nbe reassessed.

[dusty1]

I'm 60 and as an ex driving insructor, I would say that a lot of younger drivers, about a year after taking there test should take the advanced test, I did and it done me the world of good, also as far as older drivers are concerned, if they stuck to the speed limits, instead of doing 10 and 20 mph below them, other people would not get flustrated, and take chances to overtake them, and being involved in, or causing more accidents.
Dusty 1

[oops!!!]

How about ALL being tested every 5 years?