older drivers
- Thread starter gov
- Start date
Interesting debate, being one of the older generation, reasonably fit and still thinking that I'm capable of driving any day, anywhere in any conditions. In reality I know that my reaction times, concentration levels and all the other things that you need to be a good driver are less now than they were a few years ago.
How one is tested or assessed I don't know but I would willingly undergo some form of assessment if it was a legal requirement. The IAM do run an older driver assessment course but as yet have not attended.
Like most of us I see some terrible examples of older driver mistakes but they could be aged anywhere between 65 and 85 years old and maybe even older, so a one off assessment in this age gap is of no value.
Interestingly my next door neighbour (aged around 80) was involved in an accident on the M40 last year when he blacked out and crashed into the central barrier. Luckily no other person or vehicle involved and he was kept in Oxford Hospital overnight, at the hospital he was informed that his license was being revoked and therefore couldn't drive.
Six months later, lots of hospital tests with nothing too much wrong and a letter from his consultant stating as such, his license has been returned and he drives again, albeit only locally.
Reason for this story is that it would appear the medical profession have a large part to play in deciding whether or not a person is capable of driving but is it fair or right they should decide? I'm sure opticians see may elderly drivers who should not be driving but can they report you to the DVLA.?
I think the best judge of a drivers capability is probably their immediate family but who is ever going to report a case to the police or DVLA?
Some form of pro-active assessment would be good but it won't happen, an involvement in an accident is the only way the assessment would be done.
How one is tested or assessed I don't know but I would willingly undergo some form of assessment if it was a legal requirement. The IAM do run an older driver assessment course but as yet have not attended.
Like most of us I see some terrible examples of older driver mistakes but they could be aged anywhere between 65 and 85 years old and maybe even older, so a one off assessment in this age gap is of no value.
Interestingly my next door neighbour (aged around 80) was involved in an accident on the M40 last year when he blacked out and crashed into the central barrier. Luckily no other person or vehicle involved and he was kept in Oxford Hospital overnight, at the hospital he was informed that his license was being revoked and therefore couldn't drive.
Six months later, lots of hospital tests with nothing too much wrong and a letter from his consultant stating as such, his license has been returned and he drives again, albeit only locally.
Reason for this story is that it would appear the medical profession have a large part to play in deciding whether or not a person is capable of driving but is it fair or right they should decide? I'm sure opticians see may elderly drivers who should not be driving but can they report you to the DVLA.?
I think the best judge of a drivers capability is probably their immediate family but who is ever going to report a case to the police or DVLA?
Some form of pro-active assessment would be good but it won't happen, an involvement in an accident is the only way the assessment would be done.
I'm 68 and would hate to be subject to another driving test. The only 2 insurance claims I ever made were when other drivers hit me (once when I was parked and not even in the car), apart from that my 40+ years of driving have been accident free. I certainly don't feel I'm a menace on the road.
Periodic medical assessment and certification, every few years after a certain age, seems reasonable.
Periodic medical assessment and certification, every few years after a certain age, seems reasonable.
I know several older drivers who are superb drivers, along with many younger drivers who are better drivers than me.
I also know a lot of people who just don't care, once they have the license that's it no more learning required, my Dad being one of them.
IMO there can be no substitute for continual learning and NEVER believing you are as good as you think you are.
Aged 19 I trained for and passed the IAM test, since then I've been an IAM observer for many years (though not current). Further on from that I've taken the High Performance Course, and then further coaching with the course managers. Some may recognise my car on that site
Personally therefore we should ALL be tested regularly, no age limits, no exceptions. But hey that'll never happen because the infrastructure and money isn't there, let alone the political will.
just my 2p
I also know a lot of people who just don't care, once they have the license that's it no more learning required, my Dad being one of them.
IMO there can be no substitute for continual learning and NEVER believing you are as good as you think you are.
Aged 19 I trained for and passed the IAM test, since then I've been an IAM observer for many years (though not current). Further on from that I've taken the High Performance Course, and then further coaching with the course managers. Some may recognise my car on that site
Personally therefore we should ALL be tested regularly, no age limits, no exceptions. But hey that'll never happen because the infrastructure and money isn't there, let alone the political will.
just my 2p
