northeastshooter Posted August 5, 2011 Report Share Posted August 5, 2011 my girlfriend was driving home from work on wed night she was driving down astraight road 60limit as she approached a junction (the road she was on had right of way) a car approached stoped at the junction looked left and right then pulled straight out in front of my girlfriends car she's all ready slowed down on seeing the car to 50-55 but he pulled out meters in front nothing that could be done naw just hold on. hitting the drivers side back door of the car 360 spin in the air and landing on the grass burst blood vessels in her eye damaged mussels in her right arm nd bad whiplash been signed off work for at least 2 weeks as she's a beauty therapist so needs her arms car writen off and spent 4 hrs in A&E this all could of been avoided if the 75-80year old driver of the other car who didnt see her had amedical or retest when u reach a certan age rather than declairing it himself the police said there are taking his licence off him and i no it could of been alot worse but its still all the hastle and the fact that people like this man think there fit to drive when they cant see 3foot in front of them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bentbarrel Posted August 5, 2011 Report Share Posted August 5, 2011 I couldnt agree more. The majority of people that live in my town seem to be of retiretime age and above and the driving standards are appalling! THere a danger to themselves and the public! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr W Posted August 5, 2011 Report Share Posted August 5, 2011 Hope your gf is ok. The licence does expire when your 80 or so, so perhaps this is already in place? Perhaps they should be restricted to daylight driving or some sort of medical test each year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frenchieboy Posted August 5, 2011 Report Share Posted August 5, 2011 I have been saying that when you reach the age of 65 you should have a medical and some sort of driving test every 5 years after that! It is quite surprising how many "senior citizens" are driving about today that can hardly walk or see over the steering wheel. They dawdle along at 20 MRH in the middle of the road and wonder why other drivers get frustrated when following them. I'm not saying ALL OF THEM but quite a few of them are just accidents waiting to happen! Just to highlight this I will tell of an "incident" that happened at our block of flats not very long ago! A lady who lives in our flats had a small car and was just a disaster waiting to happen. She got in her car one morning and reversed over the kerb, down a 45 degree embankment and straight through a neighbours bedroom window, demolishing the outer bedroom wall in the process. She said it happened because she forgot to change from reverse gear to first gear! Fortunately no-one was injured but the car was written off and the lady has since (Thankfully) given up driving. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
northeastshooter Posted August 5, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 5, 2011 i think what confuses me about it is that as a young driver 22 passed my test 4years ago i had to read the number plate at a certan distance to test my eye site on the day of the test and do an emergancy stop to test my reactions. as you get get older your eye site gets worse and reactions slow down so why not test to make sure your safe to drive Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rupert Posted August 5, 2011 Report Share Posted August 5, 2011 Retests for all,its not only the old who have poor driving standards,your licence is a privilidge not a given. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon R Posted August 5, 2011 Report Share Posted August 5, 2011 I have seen poor drivers who are elderly. I have seen far more younger and middle aged drivers who were truly appalling. I have yet to see an elderly driver on a mobile phone. Their reactions and eyesight may not be what they were, but they lack the arrogance that says you can phone or text whilst driving, tail gate, drive at 100mph on the motorway - or worse still, on ordinary roads, cut people up and rant and rave, at the slightest incident. They don't drive around with the car radio on so loud it hurts your ears. Older drivers are an easy target - try picking on a more deserving group. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ack-ack Posted August 5, 2011 Report Share Posted August 5, 2011 I love to see them still getting out and about. If one old duffer has a car it benefit's not only them but many of their peers also. They help all the other non drivers out for shopping, social trips etc and it gives a whole group more independance. There are good and bad drivers of all ages but I have to say the group that is consistently reckless and dangerous are young lads. The old boots tend to be just careless and slow. I was stuck behind a mint Allegro with an elderly couple in it last summer that was doing 30 in a 60 zone. I had my old van and was limited as to where I could pass as its so slow but when a safe opportunity arose I trundled past. As I drew level the fella beeped his horn, the mrs looked round and he was sticking his fingers up at us. I was crying with laughter, he made my day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leeds chimp Posted August 5, 2011 Report Share Posted August 5, 2011 Retests for all,its not only the old who have poor driving standards,your licence is a privilidge not a given. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malkiserow Posted August 5, 2011 Report Share Posted August 5, 2011 Hope the GF gets well soon I can see a phone App where you enter the number plate of the bad driving you witness and a picture eventually builds up of drivers .... now some will be just malicious but large numbers over a long period will highlight genuinely bad drivers. The DVLA can track the driver not just the car reg so when they sell a car the record stays with the driver. Then they get their licence pulled and need to take a retest There are some flaws it this but would it work? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JR1960 Posted August 5, 2011 Report Share Posted August 5, 2011 Ask your GP how frustrating it is!! They know people who are incapable of driving but cannot stop them, (unless they have specified notifiable forms of illness) because of patient confidentiality!! Its ridiculous. Some dozy old sod knocked my boy off his bike a few years ago because he just didn't see him despite hitting him full frontal with the bonnet sideways on to his bike as he biked across the junction the old boy wanted to take. minor poetic justice in that the ambulance that turned up to see to my boy ended up taking his missus to hospital with a heart attack........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted August 5, 2011 Report Share Posted August 5, 2011 I have seen poor drivers who are elderly. I have seen far more younger and middle aged drivers who were truly appalling. I have yet to see an elderly driver on a mobile phone. Their reactions and eyesight may not be what they were, but they lack the arrogance that says you can phone or text whilst driving, tail gate, drive at 100mph on the motorway - or worse still, on ordinary roads, cut people up and rant and rave, at the slightest incident. They don't drive around with the car radio on so loud it hurts your ears. Older drivers are an easy target - try picking on a more deserving group. Spot on. It is said that a young driver will do the wrong thing quickly, whereas the old driver will do the right thing slowly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted August 5, 2011 Report Share Posted August 5, 2011 Retests for all,its not only the old who have poor driving standards,your licence is a privilidge not a given. Been saying this for years, All commercial drivers (PCV, HGV, Taxi etc) should retest every 5 years for PCV and HGV medicals kick in at 50 i think? for everyone else 10 years. There aren't so may now but when i passed my test there were a fair % of drivers who's test including very little (if they took one at all my grandma never did), my dad still doesn't do islands (roundabouts) in the correct fashion. The highway code has changed massively, so has car technology and road conditions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
northeastshooter Posted August 5, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 5, 2011 (edited) I have seen poor drivers who are elderly. I have seen far more younger and middle aged drivers who were truly appalling. I have yet to see an elderly driver on a mobile phone. Their reactions and eyesight may not be what they were, but they lack the arrogance that says you can phone or text whilst driving, tail gate, drive at 100mph on the motorway - or worse still, on ordinary roads, cut people up and rant and rave, at the slightest incident. They don't drive around with the car radio on so loud it hurts your ears. Older drivers are an easy target - try picking on a more deserving group. i agree and thats what police are ment to before i admit when i first past my test i did things i shoudnt but after getting 3points and a fine for speeding it sorted me out because as a young driver its not just the points and the fine its insurance next years on a 1ltr corsa i was paying about £2000 ayear but as ayoung driver you have to prove that you can drive by doing the test, were as when you reach 65 or 70 not sure of the age you are ASKED if you can drive i think what makes it easyer for them to say they are safe to drive is because they have the experiance behind them what im saying is i think it should be an indipented person. what if that was a motor bike in stead my girlfriend she was extreamly lucky not to have been killed even police and paramedics couldnt believe looking at the car she walked away. Edited August 5, 2011 by northeastshooter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rimfire4969 Posted August 5, 2011 Report Share Posted August 5, 2011 My Great Uncle is possibly the worse driver i know, he is 84 and his car has a dent on every panel, when he gets it straightened it takes maybe a month for it to be in that state again. We have talked to him about stopping but my Great Auntie and him live in a fairly rural area with no bus links that they can get to, so no public transport and no driving would mean no independance. I feel for them but i think the time is upon him to stop and i feel a big conversation coming on, not looking forward to it at all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malkiserow Posted August 5, 2011 Report Share Posted August 5, 2011 Another area to update is licences that are granted from overseas "full" licences that are really a joke and granted because someone drove a few miles down a straight road. Too many of these are handed out by the UK authorities IMHO. I see too many of these people who really cannot cope on the UK roads especially in a busy city like Birmingham. If someone is up-to-standard fine but so many are not! I know this dates back to the colonies but it's time for a rethink on this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dan-250 Posted August 5, 2011 Report Share Posted August 5, 2011 (edited) Same with all groups you only need a bad few to get a rep, some oldies are awful and can't see a thing, yet some are quite aware of what they are doing. Some women are more interested in their make up, yet some are instructors. Some young lads race about, others like me plod as I can't be doing with using all my diesel. I've never had a fast car never caused trouble with motoring, I barely have my radio on as I like it quiet. Yet we all get listed the same. Doesn't matter who, there is bad in all categories I think a test should be taken every 10 years for everyone to get them back Upto standard and make sure eyes and reactions are still good enough. My gran drives fine but can't cope in traffic it's all different situations these days. By the way I hope your girlfriend is ok, compo claim shall be easily done for that 1 especially if she's off work. Get a nice holiday Edited August 5, 2011 by dan-250 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon R Posted August 5, 2011 Report Share Posted August 5, 2011 If older drivers are that bad, how come their insurance is cheaper? Why is it expensive for young drivers? It's a no-brainer, for those with a brain. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaun4860 Posted August 5, 2011 Report Share Posted August 5, 2011 Been saying this for years, All commercial drivers (PCV, HGV, Taxi etc) should retest every 5 years for PCV and HGV medicals kick in at 50 i think? for everyone else 10 years. There aren't so may now but when i passed my test there were a fair % of drivers who's test including very little (if they took one at all my grandma never did), my dad still doesn't do islands (roundabouts) in the correct fashion. The highway code has changed massively, so has car technology and road conditions. why the difference? seeing as i hold an HGV licence i have to take a medical every 5 years....why not everyone, that way they get eyes tested at least every 5 years. also be very careful what you wish for, you would be suprised how many full licence holders would now fail their test no matter what their age... shaun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JR1960 Posted August 5, 2011 Report Share Posted August 5, 2011 Spot on. It is said that a young driver will do the wrong thing quickly, whereas the old driver will do the right thing slowly. Said by whom? Befuddled old ******s presumably?? I've been driving almost 35 years, a lot of it doing various types of competition driving, and i can feel my driving ability getting worse and i'm only 50. Doesn't mean all old drivers are bad but some really really shouldn't be driving and that's a fact!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frenchieboy Posted August 5, 2011 Report Share Posted August 5, 2011 (edited) why the difference? seeing as i hold an HGV licence i have to take a medical every 5 years....why not everyone, that way they get eyes tested at least every 5 years. also be very careful what you wish for, you would be suprised how many full licence holders would now fail their test no matter what their age... shaun That would be fair enough! Checked every 5 years right across the board regardless of age! I have to agree that there are some pretty appauling drivers about (And that includes all age groups) as well as some of the older ones! Edited August 5, 2011 by Frenchieboy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted August 5, 2011 Report Share Posted August 5, 2011 (edited) why the difference? seeing as i hold an HGV licence i have to take a medical every 5 years....why not everyone, that way they get eyes tested at least every 5 years. also be very careful what you wish for, you would be suprised how many full licence holders would now fail their test no matter what their age... shaun The point is it would massively improve conditions on the roads, at 10 years the photo has to be updated (so there is an administration point) so it makes sense to do it then, most professional drivers drive to a high standard (I have known and worked with many and i certainly can't manage the manouvres they do!), there are a few that don't. It could be part of the CPC they seem to be pushing every driver to have. For Jo BLoggs to be retested every 5 years? Why not just seem like it may be over kill I think there is a similar system in the US? Edited August 5, 2011 by HDAV Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mpk Posted August 5, 2011 Report Share Posted August 5, 2011 (edited) I have to disagree ack-ack im 24 have had my licence for 5 years (been on the toad since 16 on bikes) have a totally clean licence, no speeding fines or insurance claims all groups should re-test Edited August 5, 2011 by mpk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted August 5, 2011 Report Share Posted August 5, 2011 I don't see why it should just be pensioners...why not everyone?I'll bet there isn't one of us on here who doesn't have the odd 'senior' moment at some time or another.Can you honestly tell me you have never done something inadvertantly stupid now and again while driving?Compulsory medical tests are one thing,but resitting your test wont guarantee we never make those odd little mistakes that but for the sake of luck could have been BIG mistakes. We'll all be old one day,see how you feel then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
northeastshooter Posted August 5, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 5, 2011 (edited) i would hate to lose my license no matter what age i was but if your not fit to drive no point putting other people in harms way been selfish. im saying medicaly not fit for driving not about the manor people drive. i agree with the 10 year re test i hold several licences at work that have to be redone every few years and think it should be done in cars as well Edited August 5, 2011 by northeastshooter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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