To be genuinely concerned about some of the older drivers on the road

[Melas]

I work at a hospital. Went to lunch today and was approached by a very confused elderly man who couldn’t find the clinic he needed for his wife. He was stooped over, had a tremor and was really frail. I pointed the clinic out three times and he was still confused so I walked him to the doors (he was shuffling) and then went to find a porter to help with his wife.

I came back from lunch and he was driving out of the car park with his wife. Car creeping along at 2mphs, he bumped over the pavement and on to the main road still at around 5-10mph as he went around the corner.

He could barely walk, how is he still driving safely? I do not condone drink driving at ALL but I could have a large glass of wine and be over the limit and I swear I would still be more responsive than he was.

We had an awful incident here a few years ago when an elderly man killed a 16 year old girl on her way to college. He’d had an accident a few days beforehand driving down the wrong side of the road but the police were unable to confiscate his licence (I think this may have changed by now).

Shouldn’t we be retesting at certain age by now? Even if it was 80 that would be something. I can’t stop thinking about this man driving around the roads still.

I agree.
My friends grandparent still drives at 82 and whilst he seems in control of his faculties, the over 80s tend to have more strokes,heart attacks, aneurisms than other groups - one at the wheel could end in catastrophe.
Take away the licence at 80 and improve public transport in rural areas.

And I agree that any change to sight or dementia etc should be reported and the licence removed.

I was going to say 75 rather than 80 tbh but thought I’d get flamed.

I know someone who is 82. He's always been incredibly arrogant about his driving - I've known him since he was in his 30s - and whilst technically his driving ability is good - he used to race a bit - he's frankly an awful driver in that he takes massive risks, generally drives way over the speed limit and thinks he's the best, fasted driver in the world while every other driver is an idiot who has no idea how to drive.

At 82 he's still driving like that; bloody terrifying. Oh and he still refuses to wear the glasses he was prescribed 20 odd years ago.

I wish someone would take his licence away.

I think theres an argument that maybe EVERYONE should be given a very basic test - some kind of driving simulator 2 minute test when people get their MOTs or insurance maybe? Someone doesnt have to be old to get dementia, or impared vision, or slowed reaction times. It wouldnt have to be a full driving test, but a basic "driving along keeping appropriate speed and distance and then going round a roundabout" would cover a lot of points.