Fisherman Mike Posted August 25, 2012 Report Share Posted August 25, 2012 Just witnessed a minor RTA ...a young lad leaving the local shopping centre was hit by an elderley Lady who took the corner off the mini roundabout and put a nice crease in the near side of his car.... The Lad was stationary and had one front wheel on the kerb trying to avoid her, even had his reversing lights on as he tried to back off quickly to avoid the vehicle... The dear old girl could only walk with a stick and the lad even had to help her back to her car with his arm. I offerred the lad my Telephone number and name as a witness..he said she didnt want to involve the insurance company and would pay cash because she was frightened she would have her licence revoked... I feel a little contrite now but young drivers get such a bad press these days and he was completely without blame...The Lady must have been well into her 80's and really shouldnt be driving. reassure me Ive done the right thing... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustJon Posted August 25, 2012 Report Share Posted August 25, 2012 You have, he should report to the insurance though. I think there's a legal requirement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guest1957 Posted August 25, 2012 Report Share Posted August 25, 2012 Next time she could do someone even more damage. Maybe time for her to hang up the keys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muggins. Posted August 25, 2012 Report Share Posted August 25, 2012 If you honestly believe that she should not be driving then do the right thing .................... before a crash becomes fatal. IT COULD BE YOUR CHILD NEXT.. Sooner or later she has to stop driving. Think of it as being cruel to be kind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted August 25, 2012 Report Share Posted August 25, 2012 "The dear old lady could only walk with her stick." A few years ago she was probably the scourge of the twice daily school run and knows all the tricks as witnessed by the fact that she didn't have an accident and consequently still has a licence to kill. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brisa Posted August 25, 2012 Report Share Posted August 25, 2012 It sounds bad and I would hate the thoughts of it happening to me some day but there is a time when we're just not fit to do some things safely and this sounds like one of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poontang Posted August 25, 2012 Report Share Posted August 25, 2012 If you honestly believe that she should not be driving then do the right thing .................... before a crash becomes fatal. IT COULD BE YOUR CHILD NEXT.. Sooner or later she has to stop driving. Think of it as being cruel to be kind. Absolutely. This happened a little while ago, probably no more than 200 yards from where I live. It certainly brings home the dangers of some older drivers, and a law that needs tightening. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/news/9013552/Girl-killed-by-driver-87-who-refused-to-give-up-his-licence.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildfowler.250 Posted August 25, 2012 Report Share Posted August 25, 2012 Hate to say it but she probably shouldn't be driving. As someone said the next accident could be far worse. Had to overtake an old lady doing 30 in a 60 on essentially a straight road the other day. She was holding up loads of cars and people were getting edgy to get past her. Seems harsh but reporting her is probably the correct thing to do Absolutely. This happened a little while ago, probably no more than 200 yards from where I live. It certainly brings home the dangers of some older drivers, and a law that needs tightening. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/news/9013552/Girl-killed-by-driver-87-who-refused-to-give-up-his-licence.html That's tragic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mungler Posted August 25, 2012 Report Share Posted August 25, 2012 Absolutely. This happened a little while ago, probably no more than 200 yards from where I live. It certainly brings home the dangers of some older drivers, and a law that needs tightening. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/news/9013552/Girl-killed-by-driver-87-who-refused-to-give-up-his-licence.html I saw the CCTV footage of that on the news. Some of these older drivers are an absolute menace and are a real danger to everyone else At least with drunk drivers there is the chance that they will get behind the wheel sober, but if you're old, not all there and can't see, it ain't going to get any better than that.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
storme37 Posted August 25, 2012 Report Share Posted August 25, 2012 (edited) he should take the cash say sweet fa as the bloody insurance co will screw him next renewal otherwise Edited August 25, 2012 by storme37 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince Green Posted August 25, 2012 Report Share Posted August 25, 2012 You can have a word with the police as a seperate issue and they should be able to contact her doctor to review it. About two years ago I witnessed an accident where an old lady went across a junction and hit a wall. No other car was involved but she was obviously suffering from dementia or what ever. Phoned the police and at first they didn't want to come out but I said she was in no state to drive off and she was planning to. Its not nice, the car was probably her lifeline but you have to think about who might be coming down the road next time. Many years ago my friend Joe90 was killed on his motorbike by an old boy who just pulled out in front of him. At the inquest the police said the old boy had sixteen seperate dents on his car and he clearly shouldn't have been driving. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunderbird Posted August 25, 2012 Report Share Posted August 25, 2012 Mike, 100% the right thing. I know someone who's mum (it turns out) was still driving in the reasonably progressed early stages of Alzheimer's. It is a miracle she never killed anyone. The car was apparently covered in dings and scrapes. Scary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
halight Posted August 25, 2012 Report Share Posted August 25, 2012 I think I would report it to the police and let them deal with the old lady. If they think she is safe to carry on driving then that's fine. If she is not fit enough then she should stop. You never know she might have been told already by her doctors to stop. Some don't do as they are told! The police can look into it and get any medical reports that they need if they wont them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
activeviii Posted August 25, 2012 Report Share Posted August 25, 2012 Whats to say that the young lad had insurance, maybe he didnt what to report it for that reason. lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zx10mike Posted August 25, 2012 Report Share Posted August 25, 2012 has she still got a licence?perhaps thats why she wanted to pay cash.don't trust them mate she probably drives a scrap metal van and nicks the lead of peoples roofs thats why she has cash its allways the quiet ones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leeds chimp Posted August 25, 2012 Report Share Posted August 25, 2012 as someone that was rear ended while stationary by a old driver that was doing 60 with my 2 year old son in the back i personally would have called the police without a second thought. I dont care if the car is her lifeline or not. Think they should auto retest at 70 and every 2 years after. If you are drunk you know you should not drive while older people can be so stubborn or just not see they should stop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunderbird Posted August 25, 2012 Report Share Posted August 25, 2012 It is, of course, very sad when one's age catches up and yes, for some it means giving up the car. I'm not looking forward to the day (God forbid) it happens to me, but I hope I'll have the presence of mind not to put lives in danger. Active - it was the old lady not wanting to report it, not the lad I think..? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
libs Posted August 25, 2012 Report Share Posted August 25, 2012 I was drying my dog off after a walk before loading her into the car once as I watched an 80+ year old lady drive her Micra into a hedgerow in a carpark. Completely random, she just accelerated about 10 yards in a straight line into the foliage. I threw the dog in the car and rushed over with a few others to help her. My only regret is not being braver, taking the keys off her and calling the police, if a child was standing in her path they wouldn't have stood a chance. You did the right thing, I think a cognitive function test should be part of the elderly re-test procedure along with a reaction speed test. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirty Harry Posted August 25, 2012 Report Share Posted August 25, 2012 Mike, you did the right thing in giving the lad your details as a witness but I would have contacted the police to attend and see the lady. They can do a roadside eyesight test and if they feel she is unfit to drive send a form to the DVLA and they will request a medical. I have done a couple in the last month and the people have either surrendered their licences or had them revoked. If you still have the registration you could pop it into Stroud or phone 101 and let them know. If they are fit to drive they will be fine once they have had the medical. Harry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisherman Mike Posted August 25, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 25, 2012 (edited) Cheers Guys.... I feel better having read the replies...I wouldnt want the Old Girl prosecuted for dangerous driving or anything like that but it was pretty obvious she didnt have the physical capability to control the car properly.. I think the young lad will inform his insurance company, but she was less than willing to give her details, which is an offence in itself isnt it ? Edited August 25, 2012 by Fisherman Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muggins. Posted August 25, 2012 Report Share Posted August 25, 2012 Less than willing but did in the end?? o Flatly refused? Which yes is a crime. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CheatingRabbit Posted August 25, 2012 Report Share Posted August 25, 2012 but she was less than willing to give her details Similar happened to me - the older lady who had just rear-ended my car (twice) refused to give me her details (I was quite polite when I asked - honest). I said "I have your registration and if you leave without providing me with your details, I will inform the police immediately" Strangley enough, she saw it my way quite quickly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted August 25, 2012 Report Share Posted August 25, 2012 It isn't our position to judge whether someone else is fit to drive or not,based on a persons age or any other premise.Any of the posts offered as examples could equally apply to anybody of any age.By all means inform the authorities and let them decide,it is not for us to decide who is fit/unfit to drive. I cannot abide those who sit in judgement of others,when that judgement is based on no further knowledge than mere assumption.The poster who stated'she was obviously suffering from dementia or whatever' is a prime example.Do you KNOW she was sufering from dementia or whatever?Could it not have been shock? It frightens me sometimes that some of the posters on here actually may be summoned for jury service at some time. My former boss' wife was hit from behind while she was stationary,on a straight sretch of road,indicating to turn.She saw the car gaining on her fast in her rear view mirror,and screamed at the kids to brace themselves just before impact.The car hit them,the police later said,in excess of 80 mph,and the impact snapped the rear seats of her car in half.She had a VW camper van with 3 rows of seats,the kids were in the second row. Turned out the driver was on his phone.Unfit to drive?Should we ban him?Before your child is next?Or give him another chance,because of his age?If he'd been 70 or older would we give him another chance? We've had this topic before.It's so easy,at a comparatively young age to sit and judge others,but it would be interesting in many years to come,to see your reactions when some of you are judged unfit to drive,or forced to resit your driving test,and fail. Don't rush to judge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BaconBoy Posted August 25, 2012 Report Share Posted August 25, 2012 report her,get her off the road, a danger and a nuisance to other road users. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pegasus bridge Posted August 25, 2012 Report Share Posted August 25, 2012 you should report her, as others have said - it might be not so minor the next bump she has,.. a few years ago i had to run onto the verge to avoid a head on with an elderly driver on the wrong side of the road, luckily he just ended up taking my wing mirror off, he then drove off! i turned around and caught up with him, he was apologetic and just didn't seem to understand how it happened. after toying with the idea of reporting him for a couple of days, i did in the end. I felt bad about it, until i found out he filed an insurance claim suggesting I was on the wrong side of the road!! luckily he also admitted to carrying on driving after the incident, which didn't really support his claim I caused it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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