96 - Too Old To Drive?

[naomi24]

//A 96-year-old has been given a suspended prison sentence after pleading guilty to causing the death of a woman by dangerous driving.// 

 

https://news.sky.com/story/woman-96-sentenced-for-causing-death-by-dangerous-driving-13225150

[ToraToraTora]

She probably is but I don't like putting an arbitrary age on these things. There are over 500 centegenarians holding driving licenses in the UK. They do get assessed but I agree that there should be more scrutiny from say over 80.

[Paul22118]

Regarless of the ability or not to drive safely, the government must introduce age related check testing for older drivers.  Start with over nineties, then eighties and then seventies. Check for safety, eyesight and mobility e.g. can you perform and emergency stop. Those who are not up to standard should be invited to take a full test or reliquish their driving licence.  There is in the driving population thousands of properly qualified retired police officers who could assist in this large task.

[THECORBYLOON]

Who assesses these, "centegenarians"?

[ToraToraTora]

TBH I'd have thought the insurance would be prohibitive anyway. I have a 92 year old mate and he is paying £275 a month and that is about to be renewed so gawd knows what that'll be!

[perseverer]

Based on the number of tragic accidents involving recently qualified young drivers, some form of restriction on them might be an equal priority.

 

[vulcan42]

The problem with testing people of a certain age is the same as MOTing a vehicle. As they say on the paperwork, this is only valid for the day of the test. So how often do you test elderly drivers?

[douglas9401]

I think I spy an opportunity for officious under-worked arbiters of right and wrong to fill up their days and free the rest of us from their yoke.

[Canary42]

A difficult one this. I had for many years fully intended to give up my licence on reaching 80 but I will always be left wondering whether I would have had the willpower to have done so because Providence intervened and a TIA (mini-stroke) a few weeks before my 80th birthday rendered me incapable of driving owing to impaired sight.

As regards young drivers, I think they should display P plates for 2 years following passing the test.  Any licence "points" incurred should extend this period. 

[davebro3]

One 96 year old - how many in their 20s?🙄

[THECORBYLOON]

In Ulster, new drivers are restricted to no more than 45mph and have to display "R" plates for a year after passing their tests.

[Canary42]

Of course in this country the public transport service is so appallingly inadequate, that surrendering your driving ability severely affects your lifestyle, as I know from bitter experience.  

[renegadefm]

This is a tricky subject, because if there was a cut off age when it becomes illegal to drive, it could greatly affect a person's independence. 

Take my parents for example, they live a mile from any neighbour or village, so when Dad became too unwell to drive, it meant he couldn't do the weekly shop for them both. So it meant we now have to do it for them. This isn't an issue as such, but you can see how losing your license through age can mean the end of independence.

So I think it would be unfair to set a cut of point or age. Plus what would you set it at?  The government keep raising the retirement age, I think its now 68, but that's when having a car could become very useful towards days out etc as the person would have more time on their hands, so if the cut off age was 70 for example, that would mean the person who hasn't long retired would also lose their car. I think that would be very unfair. 

[Canary42]

Yes renegadefm, independence is certainly severely curtailed. For major supermarket shopping I now have to use their delivery services. Fortunately there's a Tesco Express just round the corner for short term needs but of course one pays the inflated price for that and is limited to a bagful..

[construct1245]

I feel like at a certain you should have to retake your driving test

[barry1010]

Mandatory yearly eye tests for every driver, testing not just distance but field of vision, too.

Driving tests for the older driver would be impossible.  There is currently 1.5 m driving tests every year and the current waiting time is, on average, 4 months.

There is over 5m over 70s with current driving licenses

[Khandro]

I was told, when I went to donate it, that I was too old to give blood - that was a bit of a downer.                                              I'll take a driving test any time.  Just driven earlier this month from South Germany to Gloucestershire and back.

[Khandro]

^^ though I'm not 96 !

[Peter Pedant]

 I have a 92 year old mate 

I am paying  around £4000 - for having my car stolen ( twice, different cars) v v v bad in insuance terms - oh and I am not 92 but feel  like  it sometimes

[furrypusscat]

Sorry, I find it irresponsible.

[Peter Pedant]

I was told, when I went to donate it, that I was too old 

oh I said I had worked in tropical climes - and arctic climes ( cold it was) and they   screamed - NEXT!