Duke of Edinburgh’s Road Accident

[SirGawain]

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

It's a small place here, likely through 2 degrees of separation I'll hear at some point what happened! So and so's cousin etc... unless they were from out of the area.

waves at the others that live close by

I agree the short distance doesn't make it ok when talking about elderly driving 'just local. I have seen him before coming out of the sandringham side and then turning down to wolferton - such a short distance but I hate crossing that road as it's so risky.

We play range rover bingo, if you're anywhere near there and see a couple f rovers at once it's 'who can see which royal it is' first.

Prince Philip still does carriage driving. He stopped playing Polo and riding due to arthritis in the seventies I think.

My Great Aunt was still driving at 89.

She was in excellent health (physically and cognitively) - people were always shocked by her age as she looked in her early 70's.

Having being driven by her I had no qualms whatsoever about her driving ability at that age (she used to drive trucks during WWII and had always been a very competent and confident driver).

However at her 90th birthday party she announced she was going to hand in her driving license - much to our surprise. Within 2 days she'd sold her Golf and sent back her licence.

She said that whilst she still felt confident driving she wanted to stop before she sensed any deterioration in her ability - go out on top at it were.

More importantly, she said she was worried that if she were to be in an accident she would wonder if her age was a factor and didn't want to contemplate that possibility.

The upshot is that 97 years of age is exceptionally old to still be driving - especially for someone who would suffer no loss of independence in doing so.

There won't be a "big fat lawsuit". I'm sure if Phil was at fault those injured will be amply compensated without the need to sue him for damages.

It will go through insurance just like any other accident on a public road. At least there are plenty of pictures.

Not all accidents go through insurance. I was involved in an accident last year with the other driver admitting liability. He paid for the damage to my car himself.

My DM is still driving at 92. The quality of her driving is nothing to do with her age. She has always been rubbish.

Shouldn't be driving at that age.

I reckon, despite what his persona suggests, there are plenty of people that would stop him driving if he was dangerous. If you were his copper, would you get in the car if your life was in danger.

I hope everyone involved is ok.

I’d also love to see the cats bum mouths on the “too old, even though I don’t have a clue about who caused the accident” if it turns out not to be Philip’s fault.

I'm not so sure TS

I'd like to think you are right but I strongly suspect that when it comes down to it PP will do what he damn well pleases and that there are enough royal toadies around him to make sure that happens.

When we had a house in a rural area we used to read about serious road accidents in the local paper very frequently - almost always very young drivers with a carload of friends.

Are you suggesting he just needs to grow up a bit :o

He was doing the Bird Box Challenge - second career as a You tube vlogger.

ROFL

Ffs he shouldn’t be driving such a big car

Anyone who has seen him on tv in the last few years can see that he is, as to be expected at his age, frail and slow

He had always been a totally self absorbed selfish man and will continue driving as long as he wants to

It's not actually a big car.

I think people are getting confused and thinking of a huge Range Rover.

His car is a Land Rover Freelander.

It's the same size as a BMW X3 - basically a small 4x4.

Think of it more as pimped up Ford Focus with more height.

It's nothing to do with ageism it's just common sense that your reactions are not as acute at that age. He is also in a privileged position that he can be driven to wherever he wants to go at any time.

My dad is still working as a taxi driver at 82. He undergoes a full medical and test every year.

Why are people saying nobody was hurt?! The two female occupants of the other car required hospital treatment! He shouldn’t bloody be driving

I am just trying to imagine the phone call home from the other party in the accident.

"Hello, luv. I am going to be delayed, got myself into a bit of an accident. I am not going to tell you more right now, because you'd be positive I should be nicked for drink driving."

If we're going to be ageist...a hell of a lot more accidents are caused by teenage drivers than by the very elderly. Maybe we should raise the age the test can be taken?

I was in a accident a few years ago and yes my Range Rover rolled very easily ,I was hit in the side from someone driving out of a side road at speed it shocked me how easily it rolled over and in the end ended back on its wheels

yes they are above been arrested

Reply meant for waterplease.

I am glad I wasn't the Police person that had to breathalise him I can imagine how that conversation might of gone!

Its not your everyday experience to breathalise the Queen's husband I am sure. A story to tell you children and grandchildren!

ps, Lighthearted view I am sure he fully cooperated!

Ah so driving licenses were not given without a test in the uk back in the 50's?
In Ireland you didn't need to sit a test you were sent a license in the post!
We have huge issues here with unlicensed drivers and L drivers. And some in our government think those that live rurally should be allowed drink and drive!