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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think people should re take their driving test at 70?

95 replies

PotterAndHisWand · 13/01/2012 17:32

Most of my Grandmothers friends (age 80 plus) who drive should not be on the road in my opinion as they drive dangerously and don't have the reactions of younger drivers.

I realise that there are a lot of accidents caused by young drivers but I really feel fr safety's sake people should re take their driving test at 70... AIBU?

OP posts:
Original poster
PotterAndHisWand · 13/01/2012 17:33

Obvioulsy there will be some older drivers who do drive well, I'm not saying they are all dangerous.

OP posts:
ViviPru · 13/01/2012 17:37

Other day, DM said "I'm going to need to renew my license soon".

Says I - "Oh I didn't realise they retested these days. Probably for the best, though eh?"

To be met with much Shock and [anger] from DM and her informing me in no uncertain terms that she just meant a replacement license and why on earth would she need retesting?

Erm... perhaps the driving straight across roundabouts with scant regard for lane discipline/fellow motorists/her own life for starters?

*disclaimer, love you PruMummy

scurryfunge · 13/01/2012 17:37

You are right in that inexperienced drivers have the most accidents. I don't think that because someone is old it makes them a poor driver. I am all for police having powers to instantly take dangerous drivers off the road though.

Pendeen · 13/01/2012 17:41

Re testing everyone after a period of time would be really beneficial.

Perhaps not a full driving test, but a structured evaluation of driving ability, theory and physical condition, eye test etc.

LunaticFringe · 13/01/2012 17:43

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Kayano · 13/01/2012 17:44

My retired father has been asked back to work to help train bus drivers

YABU and ageist

OTTMummA · 13/01/2012 17:44

It is only common sense that the older you get the worse your eye site and health become, so yes, everyone over a certain age should be tested again.
I also think that if someone is stopped and can not pass an on the spot eye test should have their licensed taken off them by the police until they can pass the test again.

vitaminC · 13/01/2012 17:46

Just as there is a minimum age, I really think there ought to be a maximum age to hold a driving licence.

I would say 75 as it would seem (from reading my local paper, anyway) that most accidents (other than drink-driving, which is a different problem altogether) are caused by drivers under 25 or over 75!

OTTMummA · 13/01/2012 17:48

Its not ageist at all, its common sense! Hmm

horrible accident that could be well avoided

fruitshootsandheavesupafurball · 13/01/2012 17:48

I think the most dangerous drivers (apart from the obvious pillocks who drive like lunatics) are the ones that pootle along at max 38mph wherever they are. Through 40 zones, 60 zones, 30 zones, 20 zones they NEVER adjust their speed and if you get stuck behind them with no chance to overtake you end up desperately trying to get past. well I do, maybe I ought to be more patient
I had this twice yesterday and could have screamed.
Pull the feck over and let the 2,000 cars behind you go past!!!

AHHHHHHHHHHHH
sorry rant over

frumpet · 13/01/2012 17:49

I have been in one accident whilst driving in the twenty odd years ive had a licence , it was caused by an older driver , who left the scene of the crash , when the police eye tested her later she failed .

AngryFeet · 13/01/2012 17:49

Yanbu and they should every 5 years after that. Eye sight probs , dementia etc are likely to be setting in for many between 70 and 90 yet people can keep driving until they decide to stop and I am sure there are many out there who feel they need to keep driving or are too stubborn to realise they need to stop. Yes there are lots of poor drivers at any age but many elderly people are dangerous and not all have family around to intervene before something happens.

EdithWeston · 13/01/2012 17:50

The accident stats show that the elderly are not a high risk group for accidents. As do their insurance premiums.

I think it would be unfair to impose on them the expense new testing scheme for a group who are not actually causing a problem.

StealthPenguin · 13/01/2012 17:51

YANBU. I love my grandfather to bits but he refused to listen to us when we told him that he was unfit to drive and he almost hit a little girl because of it. We ended up having to hide his car keys and license.

My DP was almost in an accident the other day as well. A little old lady in her car pulled out in front of him on a roundabout.

Look, people are going to call you "ageist" and "a horrible person" but the fact remains that as people get older their sight deteriorates, their hearing lessens and their reaction times are incredibly slow.

Just because it's a nasty fact of life doesn't mean it's ageist in the slightest.

Kladdkaka · 13/01/2012 17:55

YABU about the actual driving tests. I personally never, ever want to have to go through that again. Medical testing needs to be looked at though. My dad kept driving way beyond his ability because he doctor had said he was fine previously.

OTTMummA · 13/01/2012 17:59

Edith, i wonder how many over 70's only limit themselves to their local area/short distances, and do not venture onto motorways etc.

I think a lot of people know that their eye site has gone to the point it isn't safe to drive, but that driving is a way to keep their independence a little longer etc.
Because their is no law, or expectation on what medical info you have to put on the DVLA database then people feel legally and morally that it is acceptable for them to keep their license.
Most of the time, they get away with not doing much harm, but unfortunatly, as that link details, it can end up with a live lost for no good reason except arrogance.

OTTMummA · 13/01/2012 18:01

I agree Kladdkaka, medical testing would propbably suffice, and therefore no expense would be put upon the driver, win win.

EdithWeston · 13/01/2012 18:05

There's no way of knowing if they have changed their driving habits or, if they have, why. The plural of anecdote is not data.

There is data on this. And it shows they are a low risk group, as do their insurance premiums (and we all know how very hard headed such companies are on this).

gamerwidow · 13/01/2012 18:06

TBH all drivers could do with regular retesting theres a lot of idiots around who think that being fast and confident makes up for some shocking driving.
Personally I would hate to have to do another test though.

ComposHat · 13/01/2012 18:08

The accident stats show that the elderly are not a high risk group for accidents. As do their insurance premiums.
---------

Up to a point yes, but after a certain age they start to rise again. (My granddad's certainly did after he hit 80) and some insurers won't insure them at all. They also have more accidents per mile driven than any other age group. The fact that they drive fewer miles than working-age drivers distort the figures somewhat.

I think a distinction needs to be drawn between younger people who drive like dickheads and can be educated about driving style and will hopefully moderate their oafish behaviour as they gain experience.

However in an older person whose driving is dangerous, it is likely to be down to failing eyesight, reactions or mental faculties, rather than behaviour based. In such circumstances little can be done to compensate for these issues.

I'd advocate a regular 'fitness to drive test' for older motorists that would fall some way short of a re-test, but would test basic skills and competences along with a medical check.

Original poster
PotterAndHisWand · 13/01/2012 18:13

Regular testing for all drivers would be a good thing. Most, if not all the people I know who drive over the age of 70 should not be driving. I suppose the reason they are not re-tested is more political than common sense.

OP posts:
ZuleikaJambiere · 13/01/2012 18:24

I think everyone should have to be re tested every so often, say 10 years, regardless of age as we must all be guilty of developing bad habits or is that just me?

LynetteScavo · 13/01/2012 18:29

I agree with re testing for everyone. What if you pass your test, then don't drive for 20 years, then decide to buy a car? You won't be the greatest driver ever.

OTTMummA · 13/01/2012 18:31

It would be good to find out if and why driving habits change after 65/70 though wouldn't it.
I think it is quite common for elderly or physically unfit drives to limit themselves to certain times/distances when driving, although i have no data to support that, just from experience etc.
Ie, my mum is not even 60 yet has mental health propblems, and limits herself to certain distances and not at expected busy times as she finds it difficult to concentrate in certain circumstances.
She has had periods where she knows she can not drive responsibly as she has hallucinations and she gives her keys to her BF and neighbour who is a nurse.
Why do we get a free bus pass at 65? is it to help with people who are responsible enough to recognise that they might not be fit to drive get access to the shops etc.

brandysoakedbitch · 13/01/2012 18:33

I do agree with you, my Nana was really dangerous and only a stroke stopped her driving! That said, I reckon it is easy to say when you are young and actually if you were 70 and needed your car you would not want to be retested. It is one of those things that is OK when it is about someone else and when it comes to oneself it is a different matter entirely.

I did contact my Nanas doctor even to elicit his help in stopping her driving (as she used to turn up at mine with new dents with people seeing her driving in the middle of the road etc!!!) but it was very difficult indeed and only when the car broke down and was very expensive to repair and then afterwards she had a stroke did she stop. She was definitely a danger but no one seemed able to do anything about it.