dad driving

[thereallifesaffy]

How to tackle this... dad is 81. Previously great driver. Loves his cars. ut you know what I'm going to say....
I took him to the doc with a UTI at the weekend. Very confused as a result (common symptom). He gets lots of UTIs, some severe some not so, but I've noticed confusion and sleepiness always coincide. Anyway, loud and clear the doc said 'no driving til you'v finished this course of antibiotics". I think he was edging towards no driving full stop. But, like me felt that was to be tackled another day one this crisis was over.
Anyway, spoke to my sister yesterday, who said Mum and Dad had visited her on Monday and Dad was driving. I am firstly furious. I told Mum after the docs that he shouldn't drive, so its not a question that he was confused and didn't take the information on board. I know antibiotics kick in quick and he was probably feeling right as rain again. But. Why wilfully ignore good medical advice?
For context, my parents often lie to me, and ignore good advice. But this is serious.
Collective advice please folks..
Have name changed

How long is the course of antibiotics? 5 or 7 days for example?

You need to state firmly that the GP would have made a note on his record that he's given advice not to drive. Therefore insurance is invalid for the duration of the course of antibiotics. This should hopefully help him understand the gravity of the situation.

It's hard with them though. They don't like giving up their independence and reminds them they're getting older.

It's a week long course. He'll finish this saturday. So on Monday this week (when I know he drove) he was only 36 hours into it. Trouble is he's in France on holiday at the moment - with another couple who I've been assured will do all the driving. But I'm not so sure now.
He makes me cross - he's also of the generation who thought driving and drinking was ok. Me, and my children wouldn't dream of it.
I realise it's hard. But part of me is very angry too that he and Mum would so wilfully ignore good advice which is for their safety and the safety of others.
I will do as you say though, and 'state firmly'. Even if it results in a hissy fit!

Oh I know someone who has just got into trouble with the police for driving against doctor’s advice. He’s older than your dad and has been told not to drive and been invited to a retest at a test centre, Except he couldn’t make it there as he can’t drive very well! So he’s just been driving around anyway . We only found this out recently when he crashed into someone’s property (thank fuck it was only property). He stupidly thought he was insured and tried to claim . Police have been round, car has been taken off him and obviously he’s personally liable for the damage to the other person’s property. Part of the reason he said he had to drive was that he didn’t want to pay for cabs, so he will be very miffed he has to pay for this. His whole family are fucking livid with him and screening his calls as he has been told many times by all of them.

A cautionary tale for your dad op! Don’t do it!

I always think of that poor young mother who was killed by an elderly driver who mistook the accelerator for the break pedal and mounted the pavement, killing this woman in front of her husband and very young son. Just so, so sad .

Yolanda. This! Yes. If he hadn't b@ggered off to France I would have told him - if you have an accident you won't be covered because the doc TOLD you not to drive.
Plus the awful consequences it could have for someone else.
Thank you for your answers. I know I have to tackle him next week on his return.

This reminds me of my grandmother's partner. He was still driving at 90 before he became too ill and had to go into a home. He was absolutely lethal on the roads and I've no idea how it never ended in disaster. Other road users must just have been super aware around him.

I believe that you can anonymously report to DVLA and they will be asked to attend driving test and doctors

That's quite a thing to do. I think I'll do a hard hitting chat. See how it goes down, then make that move. But it's good to know I have that as an option.