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Original poster

Duke of Edinburgh’s Road Accident

999 replies

SirGawain · 17/01/2019 18:08

AIBU to ask why on earth is the Duke of Edinburgh driving at the age of 97.

OP posts:
dreamingofsun · 21/01/2019 13:05

Personally i think there should be more checks on older drives, particularly those over 80 (stats show they are second group having most accidents after young drivers). Their eyesight and reaction times should be tested and cognitive behaviour (think thats what its called so they can make decisions).

Prince Phillip looks very dodery on TV, he doesnt look as if his reactions would be that quick. Maybe thats not the case and he would pass tests. But if the sun was shining in his eyes so he couldnt see surely he shouldnt have pulled out?

dreamingofsun · 21/01/2019 13:08

And all this voluntary stuff for the over 80's is nonsense. No-one wants to admit they are old, they may not even have notices the gradual decline. And with lots of doctors appointments and inability to walk there is even more reason for them to want to drive even when they shouldnt. Though clearly Prince Philip can organise a driver.

StealthPolarBear · 21/01/2019 13:08

Should have got queenie to watch him out :o

Wordthe · 21/01/2019 13:25

He is setting a dreadful example, emboldening doddery old wannabe boy/girl racers

dreamingofsun · 21/01/2019 13:33

i agree wordthe. we have some appalling drivers round here - a few weeks ago i followed someone to the local supermarket in perfect road conditions driving at 18 miles an hour top speed (along a clear road and most of the time they went more slowly). They could hardly walk when they got out the car they were so infirm.

he should be using his position to influence best practise, not abusing it

MissEliza · 21/01/2019 13:41

Bluelady the barrister who stopped to help also said the sun was dazzling. However, that doesn't exonerate the D of E because you should make a manoeuvre if you're not sure it's safe. I don't think that the mistake is caused by age. It's more down to over confidence driving in roads close to home.

Bluelady · 21/01/2019 13:44

My point was that this woman who's doing the rounds of the media lied about the weather, that leads me to believe she's probably lying about other things too. That's all.

ExFury · 21/01/2019 13:45

Why is she saying the palace haven’t been in touch when she then said that a lady in waiting left her a voicemail saying that the Queen wished her well?

redredrobins · 21/01/2019 13:46

In one newspaper report she is claiming that her teenage son is having to help her dress, she has a broken arm, not a debilitating major injury!
I broke my arm and successfully dressed myself, as is my DIL at the moment who also has a broken arm.
She is likely exaggerating in the hope of compensation, clearly a chancer, enjoying 15 minutes of fame.

user1457017537 · 21/01/2019 13:52

Even if the sun was blinding you do not make a manouvre pulling out into traffic unless you can see. It may however be the case that the other vehicle was speeding making it harder to judge.

samphireaidee · 21/01/2019 14:02

i was doing the school run towards "H" (bluelady you can guess where that is), so drove past the accident spot about 2:40- 45 pm and past the accident itself 3:20 pm. there WAS LOW SUN. it was dazzaling driving as it always is in winter!!!!

samphireaidee · 21/01/2019 14:04

actual accident was 2:50pm I think theyr`e saying? In the school carpark an unmarked poilce car with small blue lights passed the school about 2:55pm ish?

Rudgie47 · 21/01/2019 14:54

That woman that broke her arm has totally done right IMO going to the Mirror and selling her story. Why should she suffer and not get a penny out of it? She probably wont be able to work for at least 6 weeks, she a support/care worker, that may/may not involve physical care and cooking/ cleaning etc.
Why should Prince Phillip get away with it? He wont be prosecuted and it will take ages for anyone to get compensation if at all.
It could be that on her approach it was dull and the sun was low and shining in his eyes? It doesn't mean to say shes a liar. What is absolutely evident is that he should be banned from driving and get support staff to chauffeur him, what an arrogant man he is.

BrightStarrySky · 21/01/2019 14:59

It does make me cross that DofE was seen driving again so soon after the accident and not wearing a seatbelt. Seems like a two fingered salute to me...

Smotheroffive · 21/01/2019 17:23

Their insurance companies will sort this out, and that will include injuries, not just car damage.

What escapes me is how this is somehow any different from anyone who pulls out thinking they can see but because of bright sun missed an oncoming vehicle. This happens every day, I'm really not sure is considered dangerous driving, but only those involved can assess this. However, he did say it was bright sun, she lied and said it was cloudy?!??! That won't help her cause any.

He should be pursued for lack of seat-belt, and I know he's been spoken to, but it absolutely reasonable to report with a picture of him that shows no seatbelt, that can be done online. Another report that then backs that up can result in a penalty.

NaturalBornWoman · 21/01/2019 17:30

That woman that broke her arm has totally done right IMO going to the Mirror and selling her story. Why should she suffer and not get a penny out of it?

Well judging by the other thread she's about to get her full recompense.

StoneofDestiny · 21/01/2019 17:33

Would love to see a test case go before the judge where someone in the next few days gets a £500 fine and 3 points for not wearing a seat belt!
Then they challenge it because Philip has got off with just 'a few words' from the local plod twice!

MissEliza · 21/01/2019 17:38

She doesn't have to go to the papers to get compensation. Everyone with half a brain knows that if the other driver is found to be at fault, she will get the compensation she deserves through the insurance companies. She's is over egging it a bit though. I broke my right arm when I was 23 and living on my own. I just had to get on with it and learned to do everything with my left arm for a few weeks. I was also working as a primary school teacher and soldiered on. Am I right that she appeared on TV today? That's shocking and I think the media are bang out of order for going on about the D of E not apologising. They know the police will have advised no contact between the parties involved.
Bluelady I completely agree with everything you've said about this woman. I was just pointing out that eyewitnesses said the sun was in their eyes.

marymarkle · 21/01/2019 17:39

smother Of course it is dangerous driving. If you can't see, you don't pull out.

marymarkle · 21/01/2019 17:41

MissEliza Very different carrying on as a teacher, from carrying on as a carer. Carers perform very physical tasks. And probably unlike you does not have savings to fall back on while she waits for compensation.

Smotheroffive · 21/01/2019 17:51

Mary happens all the time, and it can look as though road clear, it was an accident, only they can investigate and know the full full details to the best of their endeavours in uncovering them. If the police find there to have been dangerous driving, then they would be the only ones to have that info to act on.

You can't know that it was, unless you are involved in the investigation of course!

Are you saying it was an eye whiteness that said the sun dazzled him?

Smotheroffive · 21/01/2019 17:51

*witness

Aragog · 21/01/2019 17:54

They could hardly walk when they got out the car they were so infirm.

There are many people with disabilities who are perfectly legal to drive. Many, or most, will be capable of driving perfectly well. Some may have adjustments made to the car, or have a car which works for their disability or issue, such as an automatic instead of manual.

For example, I have arthritis. I don't class myself as disabled at all though know that sometimes I struggle. There are some days where I am in pain and walking is extremely painful; I I may even limp. However, I have an automatic car through choice as this is less painful. In the case of emergency I can do an emergency stop, despite it causing pain. I may limp or walk tenderly on exiting the car - sometimes this may be quite pronounced - but I was perfectly safe and legal to drive.

Yes, there may be some older, some infirm, or disabled drivers who are dangerous or unsafe drivers. Just like there are some younger, healthier, less infirm, non disabled people who are dangerous or unsafe drivers.

Being older, or being disabled doesn't always mean you are more dangerous or not safe to be driving.

marymarkle · 21/01/2019 17:56

smother I am shocked that you think if someone can't see, it is okay to turn into another road. It is not. Sure some people drive dangerously, that does not make it okay. And I would never turn into a road if I could not see clearly if anything is coming.
If a low sun dazzles you, wear sunglasses or use the visor.

Smotheroffive · 21/01/2019 18:01

Eliza was just pointing out that eyewitnesses said the sun was in their eyes my last comment above was to you, are you saying that some TP said the sun was in their eyes? Who's eyes? Or that they saw the sun in the DofE's eyes?!!!

Of course it is dangerous driving is it?!!!. Definitely? You know that? How?