To be worried about my dad?

[kate1191]

My dad called me this morning to tell me he was in a car accident on Friday. Thankfully no one was injured and the accident occurred at very low speed but it was clearly his fault, as he rear-ended the car in front of him at an intersection. He told me that it was very sunny out and that he thought the car in front of him had completed the turn, when in fact they were stopped. Should this be worrying? He is 63 and I haven't yet noticed any signs of memory loss or lack of concentration/focus but I can't bear to see him be a potential danger to himself. Should I force him to get an eyesight/focus checkup?

I think being disorientated by the sun is quite common - if it hits your windscreen in a certain way it can be pretty dazzling an dit takes a few seconds for your sight to go back to normal - that's enough time to make a mistake or misinterpret the movement of a car in front.

does he wear glasses to drive ? I think it is always a good idea to have your sight checked after an accident just to make sure. I wear shaded glasses for all nearly all day time driving - because I am very susceptible to glare. Maybe he needs some shaded lenses.

I wouldn't be unduly worried about him though - 63 isn't that old and minor accidents do happen because someone is momentarily unsighted.

KurriKurri:

He does wear glasses to drive and owns prescription sunglasses (which he told me he was wearing at the time of the accident). I'm just worried because he is usually a great driver and does not make these kinds of mistakes.

How does he feel about it - does he feel worried or not ? I know if I make a mistake when I'm driving, I tend to kind of analyse it and think what could I do that was different next time, but sometimes you make totally unavoidable mistakes (because of sudden unexpected conditions or because someone else was an idiot). If I feel it was unavoidable than I try to put it out of my mind.

But definitely encourage him to have an eye test - things can start changing as you get older - your peripheral vision etc. Always worth at least eliminating that as a cause.

Is he likely to have a check if you ask him? If he is reluctant next time youa re with him get him to read a car number plate as per the driving test - and see if he is able to - that might persuade him if there is a problem and he needs persuading.

KurriKurri:

He said that it's fine (and he tried to blame the other driver as well). I think he would get a checkup if I ask him to, but I'm not sure. I'll definitely try what you say there.

It's a fairly common accident scenario and I don't think it's necessarily a sign of anything other than a lack of attention at a critical moment, which can happen to anyone.

I agree with nocake and doubt you need to worry. If he wears glasses he must have regular sight tests. It is a common type of accident and was at low speed. I wouldn't go any further than asking him to consider an eye test if he feels he needs it. I wouldn't force the issue based on one incident.

I was a personal injury claims handler- these kinds of rear end accidents caused by sunlight are common. I wouldn't be concerned unless there are other signs.

hes 63, not 83 and its sounds like a run of the mill accident that could happen to anyone of any age..