Driving

[maggiebee]

It has been reported in our local paper that a 68 year old man who went missing from his home outside Dundee was found 100 miles away in Kelso (borders). He was driving a Honda Jazz. Now, that in itself is neither here nor there, but he apparently suffers from dementia. Should he still be driving?

[treetops68]

No,I would have thought DVLA would have taken his license away, always assuming they have been informed. But it's entirely possible he slipped out with the keys when no-one was looking.

[sunny-dave]

I know people with dementia who are quite capable of driving - indeed are better drivers than some of the rest of us.

Equally I know some people with dementia who quicly became a danger to themselves and others on the roads.

A diagnosis of dementia should not be an automatic reason for a driving ban - each case should be assessed individually by the family and medics involved

[sunny-dave]

A deeply thought out and reasoned response, Scrivens. I hope you are lucky when/if your turn comes to be assessed ...

[hellywelly4]

Scrivens - how could you!! I drive a Honda Jazz and I love it. A friend said it's an old lady's car, well, that's what I am. I'm also an Advanced Driver! (Boast over!).

[hc4361]

Excellent article here but some dementia sufferers are safe to drive for many years after the first diagnosis
http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/site/scripts/documents_info.php?documentID=144

[Old_Geezer]

SOH breakdown ?
;-)

[retrocop]

God forbid that I ever suffer dementia(my father died suffering many of his later years with Altzheimers)I would worry that I would forget where I parked it or why I had driven it there in the first place!