To wonder how on earth they will sentence a 96 year old?!

[dreamer24]

news.sky.com/story/woman-96-admits-causing-death-of-pedestrian-after-she-panicked-and-mounted-the-kerb-13204265

A 96 year old woman killed a woman in her 70s after she lost control of her car. Due to be sentenced on Monday, apparently. It's obviously completely tragic that a woman has died, but I can't imagine a woman who is almost 100 will get a custodial sentence?

One issue is that if the older person has early stage dementia they may not even realise they are unfit and be very resistant to the suggestion they are not fit. This happened with my father. We took his keys and removed the car. He went out and bought another one. So we had to do the same again. After that we set up a taxi account with a local company and covered cost of trips as he wanted to visit my mother in her care home everyday- we tried public transport and he just couldn’t cope with that. He saw paying for taxis as the height of decadence, hence we paid and told him fares were much less than they were. The drivers got to know my father and were very helpful and kind. We all worked full time and lived a couple of hours ago so could only cover weekends.

Many cars dont have much of a resale value really though, and that's if you can sell it. In Ireland anyway garages don't want to take a car unless it's as a trade-in for a brand new one and selling on the second hand market isn't great either as many insurance companies wont take on a new insurance of someone buying a car which is over 10 years old. Dad's car is 12 yrs old and passes it's road worthy every 12 months.

KnittingPattern are you going to pay my taxi fare?. A £30 tank of petrol lasts me 8/9 days. A one way taxi fare to work is £35. Even excluding insurance and mot costs it would be massively more ecpensive.Your statement is the irrational one in this case

That's what I do. It's just a very convenient piece of all-purpose ID. I haven't driven for years (no need of a car) and have no intention of doing so ever again. In fact, it's been so long now that I'd definitely need some driving lessons! Remind me ... which pedal is the brake?

I think one of the problems may be that they allow you to self-certify that you're fit to drive and don't query that enough.

This is why people upthread are talking about thinking about where you live to not be dependent on a car. For instance if you are fit and well enough to work, a bus or train ride should be manageable. So if not living near work, at least live along a railway to it.

when recovering from a chest infection so not having the stamina to walk the mile to the station or drive it I was getting a taxi to the station (less than £5) and the train to near work.

I used to live in a foreign country that tested everyone annually after their 70th birthday. Once someone failed that test they had 24 hours to move their car off road and then their licence and insurance became invalid. It worked well.

I live rurally and have watched several elderly family members manage aging and driving. Giving up their car is a major cost saving. Then they took taxis, asked family to do errands or escort them when out and about for other reasons, or took advantage of special old age transit options. It was less convenient but safer for all. They also had less need to be out and about as they aged.

This is a very important area of taking personal responsibility.

And who should have to pay for this?

Either you are safe to drive or you aren’t. How much money you have or where you live doesn’t come into it.
Thats your issue.

She will get a ban. No question about it.

Are you very elderly and do you think you would fail your driving test if you had to retake it? I thought this was the group we were talking about, not people of working age.

JustKeepSwimmingJust.
I do take your point, and for access to shops etc makes perfect sense. However where I work is nowhere near any public transport links. There's no simple solution.

Where I live, there aren’t any taxis!

That doesn’t mean someone should continue driving because it’s cheaper than the alternative it’s not ok to risk everyone else’s safety because there’s not a cost effective option.

If you are not safe to drive then you can't drive..it doesn't matter what the implications are.

Access to Work does help with things like taxi fares for disabled people who can't otherwise get to work.

FloydGerhardt
I completely agree. The only thing I disagree is the statement that travelling by taxi overall is always cheaper than running a car and people are irrational to think otherwise

Do taxis stop on the entrance to the village/town, refusing to enter?

Taxis won’t drive out to the village.

Do you have experience of living in rural areas?

There should be an end to self declaring of fitness to drive, and medical or other requirements should start to be regularly tested at an age well below normal retirement age. I think it is in your forties for lorry drivers and so should apply to car drivers too.

I also would have the theory test re-taken at regular intervals for everyone.

Yes. That’s why I moved to a market town where there are a couple of taxi firms, and pharmacy, mini supermarket and post office all within 5 mins walk

I don't understand the reporting to be honest. The accelerator fell under her foot and she panicked and applied too much pressure, presumably rather than applying the brake. So, the root of the issue appears to be as much an ill-maintained car as dangerous driving. Had it been regularly serviced and was the MOT current are reasonable questions imo.

Clearly a driving ban is required but not, in my opinion, a custodial service.

If people remain fit and well they should continue to drive. Age is just a number. My neighbour, 93, still drives to the local shops and local venues/days out. She is perfectly safe but has better sense than to venture beyond the local A roads.

My mother was similar and rove until late last year when she developed a heart condition and now suffers enduring dizzy spells despite successful surgery. I think it unlikely she will pick up her car keys again and she's only 88.

I'm in my mid sixties, still working full time, still capable of driving to Southern France, on my own. Some of the ageist comments on this thread are disgraceful and like race, sex, religion, disability, etc, are a protected characteristic.

We took my MIL’s keys off her, it really is that simple. Blaming lax rules doesn’t absolve you of personal responsibility because it’s an uncomfortable conversation.

a young girl died in similar circumstances . I think someone of that age should not be driving and they, and their family, should be held responsible

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cjm977jxye4o

@RosesAndHellebores My neighbour, 93, still drives to the local shops and local venues/days out. She is perfectly safe but has better sense than to venture beyond the local A roads.

Unless you are both an optician and a driving instructor you have no idea if she’s perfectly safe or not.

@MrsPositivity1 it is about fitness to drive NOT age. Many people between the ages of 17 and 69 should not be behind a wheel.

My uncle is 90 next year and I have no issues with him driving. He has his eyesight tested regularly, his mind is sharp and he's sensible - he drives where he knows and avoids driving at night if possible. I'd rather get in a car with him than some younger drivers.