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RTA did I do the right thing?


Fisherman Mike
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There's not a lot different between old and young drivers but there will be as the 'baby boomers' start to dominate the statistics.

If we had a decent public transport network in more areas then everyone has a choice - no insurance or maintenance charges and most older people could reschedule their transport needs to meet the timetables. Being old doesnt mean being incompetent, being young does not endow you with superhuman powers (except maybe arrogance).

I suggest theres more danger from the road ragers on here than in normal traffic. Provided of course that you are modestly competent.

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Just remember that the insurance companys know where the risk is and charge accordingly . Young men between the ages of 17 and 25 are the worst risk . I am almost 70 years old and I bet my insurance is less than any body on this forum . Oh ,incidently dont we all grow old at some time ?

 

Harnser .

Edited by Harnser
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There were 550 serious accidents last year where the driver was over aged 70 and where driver was either killed or badly hurt, reports the Institute of Advanced Motoring . That statistic represents 8% of the national total of 7,035 similar accidents. That means that the over 70's's have more, very serious accidents per mile than any other sector of the population.

and why do insurers refused to cover people over 80 then as a new business case???

 

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You have, he should report to the insurance though. I think there's a legal requirement.

 

As soon as your Vehicle is involved in an accident/collision you need to take the following steps to ensure you do not break the law.

If, as a driver, you are involved in a road-traffic accident/collision and one or more of the following occurs:

  • a person, other than yourself, is injured
  • damage is caused to another vehicle or to someone else's property
  • an animal has been killed or injured, except in your own vehicle or trailer (an 'animal' is defined as 'any horse, cattle, ***, mule, sheep, pig, goat or dog')

You must:

  • stop and remain at the scene for a reasonable period
  • give your vehicle registration number + Make /model/colour, your name and address, and that of the vehicle owner (if different), to anyone with reasonable grounds for asking for those details

If you do not exchange those details at the scene, you must report the accident at a police station or to a police constable as soon as you can, and in any case within 24 hours.

Where injury is caused to another person, then in addition to the above you must:

  • Produce your certificate of insurance, if anyone at the scene has reasonable grounds to see it. If you do not, you must report the accident/collision at a police station or to a constable as soon as you can and in any case within 24 hours. You'll need to produce your certificate of insurance. If you don't have your certificate of insurance when reporting the accident to the police, you may take it to the police station you nominate when you report the incident. You must do this within seven days of the accident.

Note: Reporting the accident to the police by telephone is not sufficient and you cannot ask someone else to report for you.

You're obliged to do these things not only when you are directly involved in an accident, but also if your vehicle's 'presence' was a factor.

If you have any doubts, it is advised you complete the above steps as soon as the accident/collision happens, regardless of who was at fault.

A failure to comply with these obligations can mean two offences are being committed: failing to stop and failing to report. It is possible to be guilty of either or both.

Even if there was no personal injury involved, if someone holds you responsible for the accident/collision, they have the right to request your insurance details. This request can be made later; it does not necessarily have to be at the time of the accident. A failure to provide that information without a reasonable excuse is also an offence.

It will also be a condition of your insurance policy that you report the accident to your insurance company within a reasonable time, even if you do not want to claim yourself. A failure to do so can give your insurance company the right to refuse to cover you in the future.

 

..........................................................................................

As for `reporting' the "Old Dear" ... it`s really none of your business.... - unless, as a witness at the time of the incident you had serious concerns regarding its surroundings/circumstances and has bearings of occurence --- details of which you will no doubt pass on to parties involved,

Assumption or personal views is not really condusive.

 

The "Old Dear" will know when the time is right to hang her keys up , assuming that her Doctor will is not enough- maybe she never goes to a Doctors - and untill a licence renewal /medical things could /might never come to light.

I know through personal experience the addage of an elderly relative knowing when to hang their keys up --

Giving up a life-line of independance is not easy but sometimes necessary. :good:

Edited by mrwabbits
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Leeds Chimp, lies, damns lies and statistics. Look what I found from the same website......

 

http://www.iam.org.u...ow-aged-over-80

 

The number of drivers over the age of 80 has now topped one million according to information obtained by the IAM following a freedom of information request to the DVLA at the end of January. DVLA figures show that there are now 1,012,399 drivers over 80. There are also 122 licence holders over the age of 100, including three 105 year olds, and one 106 year old woman.

1

 

 

The age gap between the youngest driving license holder and the oldest is 90 years. But contrary to common assumptions, drivers in their eighties are not dangerous. The figures show that they are in fact much safer than their more youthful counterparts. The rate of deaths and serious injuries in crashes among drivers over 80 is three times less than the rate for those aged 17-19. In 2010 almost one young driver aged 17-19 was killed or seriously injured per thousand licence holders. The rate of deaths and serious injuries in crashes among car drivers aged 20 to 24 is 36.4 per cent more than the rate for drivers aged 80 or over.2

 

However, drivers over the age of 80 are more likely to suffer serious injuries in a car crash due to their frailty. IAM chief executive Simon Best said: “Older people need their cars which give them better mobility and access to more activities and services. Those who wish to continue driving beyond the age of 70 should only be prevented from doing so if there are compelling reasons. Rather than seeking to prevent older people from driving, we should make them more aware of the risks they face, and offer them driving assessments to help them eliminate bad habits. Driving helps older people play a full and active part in society.” The number of older drivers will continue to rise as the Office of National Statistics predicts that there will be 8.7million people over the age of 75 by 2033. This will represent a increase of 81.1 per cent of over 75 year-olds since 2008 - some 4.8 million people.

 

ENDS

 

Read the article and check the tables, young drivers are far worse than oldies. Some sensible advice from the IAM.

Edited by Laird Lugton
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different website for a start....

I was putting the point across for drivers over 70.....as soon as you hit 80 ALOT of insurers wont give you a policy...I know this as worked in that industry for a few years and the premiums rocket

 

Also they might have a licence but does that mean they are driving on the road??? Most would just give up driving

Edited by leeds chimp
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I've got the chip on my shoulder?

 

Take a breath and have another read of this thread.

 

You crack on on your own. We're all wrong and you're right.

 

Well funny.

Where did I say you were all wrong and I was right?

The point I was trying to make was one of judging people based on assumptions.The aged,contrary to the input of Leeds Chimp (nice rabbit by the way)do not have the monopoly on accidents.What the hell has anybodys age got to do with being the determining factor on whether they are reported or not?If you are involved in an accident and you feel that the persons driving was incompetent or recklessly dangerous then report it,as I said in my initial post.

Your 'coffin dodgers' rant in one of your posts hasn't changed my mind about the state of your maturity...around puberty I would hazard a guess.Crack on. :good:

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The point I was trying to make was one of judging people based on assumptions.

 

 

Scully, you're not getting this at all are you?

 

Read Mike's initial post again, you are emphasising your bit about not judging people purely on assumptions but that is not what is happening here. I have made no assumptions about my friend's mother, who is currently dying a has lost her mind entirely, but comparatively recently was driving about.

 

Not judging people on assumptions is stating the bleedin' obvious really isn't it?

 

Most 'judging' on PW happens when posters fail to post the whole truth so leave everyone else to fill the gaps in. Like a few recent epic threads I can think of.

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My maturity or otherwise has nothing to do with your bizarre resistance to any suggestion that as people get older their health and mobility deteriorates as too their ability to properly drive and control a vehicle, as too the follow on suggestion that there should be some sort of eye test and health test at regular intervals at say 70 and over?

 

If the skills are there then it's all hunky dorey for another year's motoring.

 

It's the baby boomer view that driving is some how a right.

 

I would happily sit a regular re-test to see more rubbish drivers taken off the road - be they young and daft, foreign and dazed or old and blind.

 

 

 

 

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Scully, you're not getting this at all are you?

 

Read Mike's initial post again, you are emphasising your bit about not judging people purely on assumptions but that is not what is happening here.

Really?I'm not getting it?

'the lady must have been well into her 80's and really shouldn't be driving'!

He's assumed the accident was caused by her age,and judged her to be too old to drive.And you reckon I'm talking through my 'bumhole'?Get a mirror and check your own.

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If she's well into her 80's, bottle top specs, shaking like Michael J Fox and can't walk unaided...... then what assumption makes her a safe driver? Give her a HGV ticket and let's get her hauling petrol for Esso?

 

I've just come back from a week in Sidmouth. I kid you not - I saw an old girl drive her mobility scooter into a shoe shop door and get it stuck in fast forward and an old girl ask me to park her Renault 5 auto outside Boots - she stopped, got out and gave me her keys and asked me to park it for her because she couldn't. Sidmouth is the elderly plant a car into a shop window capital of the UK.

 

 

 

 

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My maturity or otherwise has nothing to do with your bizarre resistance to any suggestion that as people get older their health and mobility deteriorates as too their ability to properly drive and control a vehicle, as too the follow on suggestion that there should be some sort of eye test and health test at regular intervals at say 70 and over?

 

If the skills are there then it's all hunky dorey for another year's motoring.

 

It's the baby boomer view that driving is some how a right.

 

I would happily sit a regular re-test to see more rubbish drivers taken off the road - be they young and daft, foreign and dazed or old and blind.

Well, well, well.Now we're getting somewhere;maybe there's hope for you yet.You see,when you really try you can string along a mature,logical and untrollness(if that's a word)post!

But you still can't resist suggesting I've made claims that I haven't in this thread.I have never resisted the suggestion(bizarrely or otherwise)that a persons health,mobility(that's where the car comes in handy!) or any other faculty doesn't deterioate with age.No doubt we all look forward in excited anticipation to the days when we can revert back to soiling ourselves in public without anyone being the wiser! :eh: Crack on. :good:

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Really?I'm not getting it?

'the lady must have been well into her 80's and really shouldn't be driving'!

He's assumed the accident was caused by her age,and judged her to be too old to drive.And you reckon I'm talking through my 'bumhole'?Get a mirror and check your own.

 

Steady now boys... I dont want this to degenerate in to a spat.

 

Ive got a name its "Fisherman Mike" not "He" If you had seen the old girl as I did.......

 

1. She had to be helped out of her car and could not get out by her own assistance

 

2. She had to be helped to walk to the other car to inspect it.

 

3. She had to be helped back to her car and helped into the driving seat.

 

4. She said to the young lad "I dont want to go through the insurance company because they will take away my licence"

 

5. She said she did not see him even though he was stationary and less than 20 feet away.

 

6. Her glasses were two milk bottle bottoms in a frame so I would imagine her eye sight wasnt too good either.

 

7. When she parked her car up she drove between two spaces at an angle...

 

8. By comparison to my elderly father she must have been late 80,s was infirm and unstable and could not control the vehicle.

 

9. She actually couldnt see the extent of the damge to the lads car before he pointed it out to her....it was opened up like a sardine can!

 

On the basis of that overwhelming evidence I would assume these were age related impediments and without doubt the cause of the accident was her age. QED.

 

I would suggest you are fighting a losing battle on this one Scully and should concede gracefully..." If you can meet with triumph and disaster and treat those two imposters just the same"

 

I just wonder what would have happened when I was a lad and young mums pushed prams around the country lanes... would have been a tradegy..

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If she's well into her 80's, bottle top specs, shaking like Michael J Fox and can't walk unaided...... then what assumption makes her a safe driver? Give her a HGV ticket and let's get her hauling petrol for Esso?

 

I've just come back from a week in Sidmouth. I kid you not - I saw an old girl drive her mobility scooter into a shoe shop door and get it stuck in fast forward and an old girl ask me to park her Renault 5 auto outside Boots - she stopped, got out and gave me her keys and asked me to park it for her because she couldn't. Sidmouth is the elderly plant a car into a shop window capital of the UK.

Aw heck....you were doing so well too!

I once saw an old dear practically destroy a Clintons card shop in Morecambe once,then gave my kids a fiver each(!)for helping her get it turned round and out the shop!I couldn't help as I was helpless with laughter! Richard Hammond can't drive one either.

As for the lady shaking like Michael J.Fox(I have an Uncle who has Parkinsons; have to admit his head shakes like a nodding dog,but his doc's and the DVLA have all deemed him safe to drive for the time being,but none of them ASSUMED or JUDGED him to be unable to;they did rigorous tests first)if she can't walk unaided(as many disabled people can't)maybe she'd be better off in her car!

What on earth possessed you to take a week in Sidmouth;I thought Morecambe was bad.

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Steady now boys... I dont want this to degenerate in to a spat.

 

Ive got a name its "Fisherman Mike" not "He" If you had seen the old girl as I did.......

 

1. She had to be helped out of her car and could not get out by her own assistance

 

2. She had to be helped to walk to the other car to inspect it.

 

3. She had to be helped back to her car and helped into the driving seat.

 

4. She said to the young lad "I dont want to go through the insurance company because they will take away my licence"

 

5. She said she did not see him even though he was stationary and less than 20 feet away.

 

6. Her glasses were two milk bottle bottoms in a frame so I would imagine her eye sight wasnt too good either.

 

7. When she parked her car up she drove between two spaces at an angle...

 

8. By comparison to my elderly father she must have been late 80,s was infirm and unstable and could not control the vehicle.

 

9. She actually couldnt see the extent of the damge to the lads car before he pointed it out to her....it was opened up like a sardine can!

 

On the basis of that overwhelming evidence I would assume these were age related impediments and without doubt the cause of the accident was her age. QED.

 

I would suggest you are fighting a losing battle on this one Scully and should concede gracefully..." If you can meet with triumph and disaster and treat those two imposters just the same"

 

I just wonder what would have happened when I was a lad and young mums pushed prams around the country lanes... would have been a tradegy..

In view of futher information in this post and as you were there Mike,I don't mind conceding to you at all,with or without Kipling!

As for the others,well.....think I made my point.Crack on! :good: Quite like that phrase.

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Mike, you and your assumptions.

 

And after all that you 'assumed' that she was too old to be driving.

Hey up;you and I haven't finished!(Or anybody else who cares to join in denigrating the elderly)What gave you that idea?Just 'cos I've conceded to Mike doesn't mean you can run and hide!You have a lot of unresolved attitude problems regarding the old,assumptions and making judgements that we need to thrash out!You were getting sensible for a brief spell(apart from a moment of weakness when you divulged a penchant for holidays from hell)I can help you overcome your aversion to the elderly and acting with all the maturity of a good cheese!Trust me,I'm a doctor....of sorts!

Just got to pop out for a while,but don't go away;I'll be right back.

Edited by Scully
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Hey up;you and I haven't finished!(Or anybody else who cares to join in denigrating the elderly)What gave you that idea?Just 'cos I've conceded to Mike doesn't mean you can run and hide!You have a lot of unresolved attitude problems regarding the old,assumptions and making judgements that we need to thrash out!You were getting sensible for a brief spell(apart from a moment of weakness when you divulged a penchant for holidays from hell)I can help you overcome your aversion to the elderly and acting with all the maturity of a good cheese!Trust me,I'm a doctor....of sorts!

Just got to pop out for a while,but don't go away;I'll be right back.

Time enough to lock it.

This is one debate no one is going to win.

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