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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think old drivers are more dangerous than young ones?

82 replies

PistolAnnies · 22/01/2014 16:15

An old dear almost crashed right into me before, clearly didn't see, even when I had to swiftly swerve to get out of her way, and she was squinting her eyes trying to see

I see this more with old drivers and think they should have to surrender their license, if at a certain age, their eyesight and health are not in the best condition

OP posts:

gordyslovesheep · 22/01/2014 17:53

well you use to broad a definition to be able to answer - obviously 4 year olds are far more dangerous behind the wheel than 45 year olds - I am imagining

under 25's are more likely to kill themselves or have accidents

on balance I am going to pop for YABU and a bit goady - hth

Mabelandrose · 22/01/2014 17:54

I have reported some very scary elderly drivers.

gordyslovesheep · 22/01/2014 17:56

but I have had way more near misses with boy racers on their phones, young girls ...on their phones and middle aged men in mid range company cars with anger issues than with 60+ year olds

BabyMummy29 · 22/01/2014 17:57

From my personal point of view (my mother( - a definite yes.

I've lost count of the near-misses she's had and suspect there may be more that she hasn't admitted to.

She keeps saying she'll give up at the next milestone birthday, when the MOT/insurance is due etc etc but keeps on going.

She thinks she is a great driver

Topseyt · 22/01/2014 18:04

I see an equal amount of bad driving from both young and old around here.

I see younger men who think they are the next Lewis Hamilton, and occasionally older people who hardly seem able to see over the wheel.

It is a generalisation though. There is plenty of good driving from both groups too.

I like to think that when the time comes I will willingly give up my car and licence. I do hope that I will recognise when that time comes, but is that something which is easier to say than to do. Deterioration is often slow and insidious, so may go unnoticed for some time. I understand that to be the reason for the tests which begin at the age of 70 and are then done every 5 years.

I am not the keenest of drivers though, so I guess that by that age I will be keen to stop driving if I can.

punter · 22/01/2014 18:12

I think any driver wearing a hat is a danger on the roads.

elastamum · 22/01/2014 18:12

I dont think you can generalise, but IMO older drivers, (70+) should have to pass a hazard awareness and reaction test to maintain their licence.

Maybe I am biased though, as my car got hit head on last November by an 85yr old driver who was on the wrong side of the road. I was very lucky and walked away (xc90), the other driver was hospitalised.

The police think he isnt fit to drive and have asked him to surrender his licence, he has refused, so now they are prosecuting him, as in the face of 3 witnesses, he refuses to accept he was at fault. The bottom line is he does'nt see why he should stop driving.

He could easily have killed someone and might still if the police dont get him off the road

NewtRipley · 22/01/2014 18:14

Lucille

Calling someone thick is nice though is it?

etoo · 22/01/2014 18:17

I don't think which group of drivers is worse is important TBH, but older drivers do seem to escape the same scrutiny of their ability that younger people face. Even the driving test that some of these people passed 50+ years ago was a lot easier than the modern one, ignoring all the other age related problems.

bodygoingsouth · 22/01/2014 18:21

lucille you can't really group all 'old people' together and accuse them of driving both far too fast and far too slow around your village can you.

to not really grasp the fact that there are good and bad drivers of all ages and all sexes is well, just a little bit thick.

SilverApples · 22/01/2014 18:25

I'm an old dear.
Is the appropriate term for the OP 'Young Bimbo'?
I need to get my insults age-appropriate, advice welcome.

Franchini · 22/01/2014 18:25

I think that all people regardless of age should have to resit their driving licence every five years or so. This would eliminate a lot of drivers who should not be on the road and also ensure that all drivers would be up to date with the latest driving rules etc.. I would be happy to have to re sit if it would mean there were more sensible drivers on the road.

NewtRipley · 22/01/2014 18:26

Oh look, some evidence

SilverApples · 22/01/2014 18:26

I do think a retest for every driver every 5 years is a very good idea.

OddFodd · 22/01/2014 18:36

I'm reminded of that quote from fried Green Tomatoes: I'm older and I have more insurance.

Although that's probably before your time

5HundredUsernamesLater · 22/01/2014 18:57

I agree with OP. I have lost count of the times I have been nearly run off the road by a pensioner driving dangerously. We have some new mini roundabouts in our town and most of the pensioners don't seem to even notice them let alone stop at them and then they just stop suddenly in the middle of the road outside a shop or a post office and just abandon their car while they shop. Then get in their car and just set off again without looking or indicating. There has been three accidents in as many weeks on the main street and all have been oldies driving badly.

Nanny0gg · 22/01/2014 19:09

I see age-discriminatory terms are alive and well and living on Mumsnet.

I would like to point out that you'll all be Old Dears or Oldies or even possibly an Old Twat one day.

Wonder how you'll like it...

bodygoingsouth · 22/01/2014 19:09

oh yes gosh women can't actually parallel park, men can't multitask, all young people these days binge drink, old people can't drive safely ya de ya de ya..

newt what are you like showing us the true stats when slagging off the 'old dears' and sweeping generalisations are so much fun.

SilverApples · 22/01/2014 19:11

Well nanny, them as live that long...

FurryDogMother · 22/01/2014 19:13

At what age do you intend to give up driving, OP?

WitchWay · 22/01/2014 19:15

My mother is nearly blind in one eye & still driving though she's stopped at night - she has annual checks & has been told she is within normal limits as her other eye is still fine. Not sure I'm happy about it though - it's obvious she just doesn't notice things properly.

bodygoingsouth · 22/01/2014 19:25

perhaps we should herd all old people into retirement villages with all facilities in walking distance so none of them need to drive.

phew op you're safe now!!

SilverApples · 22/01/2014 19:33

Hang on, what about those of us that are going to have to work until we are in our 70s and 80s and will need to get to work?
Can I retire at 65 and be looked after by some of those vibrant young things? Or will they run a free taxi service for us old dears?

NCISaddict · 22/01/2014 19:44

I'm going to be driving a bloody ambulance at 68 apparently on blue lights so I hope I'm still safe. Not into job creation!

KareKare · 22/01/2014 19:44

In an average week I probably see alarming driving from at least one of each dangerous driver stereotype - boy racer in his mum's fiesta, twatty salesman in his company BMW, old boy with a flat cap, old lady who can barely see over the steering wheel, young 20 something gassing away on their phone.

I can't say I see more bad driving from older people. My dad's over 70 and he's possibly the best driver I know.

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