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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To report this elderly driver to the DVLA?

127 replies

Omzlas · 12/06/2018 20:50

Long time lurker - first time poster

Back story:
I have an elderly relative, let's call him Bernard. Early 80's, he has severe arthritis, osteoporosis, cataracts, fibromyalgia as well as a few other things. He takes a good cocktail of medication each day. Bernard has a car but isn't confident at all in his driving abilities these days but was a bit of a car fanatic in the past

Due to various disabilities, he can't lift his arms further than about 35 degrees (can't even get them out in front of him, zombie style), can't even drive '10 to 2' style and is unable to navigate left hand turns

Bernard regularly cuts across lanes, believing that he is in the right because 'that lane marking isn't correct, I'm in the right'. Bernard's reflexes are shot, he can't react to cars changing lanes etc

My AIBU
Would I be a complete cow to report this to the DVLA? AFAIK, Bernard has made them aware of his arthritis but nothing more, despite me telling him that he needs to. His condition isn't going to improve and he's aware of this but he's said that he won't consider stopping driving as he sees this as his last shred of independence. Bearing in mind that he's unable to do basic things like watering his plants, washing clothes or vacuuming, he gets his grandchildren to do things like this for him. I've mentioned stopping driving to him but his reply is along the lines of "I need to drive" but in the next breath says "it isn't like I drive far, I usually only go out once a week.

His driving is terrifying and if I ever go out with him, we take my car. I genuinely fear for our safety but I'm also worried that he'll end up hurting someone and/order himself.

Thanks if you've made it this far!

OP posts:
BillyJoel · 14/06/2018 23:52

Report him.
Poor teenage girl down the road was knocked over on a zebra crossing by a couple who kept on driving then came back to the scene. The man driving was 84. The girl only was able to walk again about 8 months later. Please report him.

justilou1 · 15/06/2018 02:15

I "accidentally" took both sets of my mother's car keys back to the Netherlands from Australia with me when she had a brain tumour and her GP was too much of a wimp to contact the licensing bureau and have it removed. In the state she lived in they have a compulsory voluntary requirement to surrender your license if you are not medically safe to drive - and compulsory medical checks from the age of 75. She was 69 and couldn't see, wasn't strong enough to lift her handbag and was making irrational decisions. Still thought it was safe to drive though - and her car was covered in some pretty serious-looking dents and scratches, so I hate to think what damage she had already done. She was FURIOUS - but I couldn't live with myself if she had hurt anyone.

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