Driving tests for the over 60s

[Spiros]

Have you any idea what uninsured drivers cost those of us who do pay for it ? Have you any idea of how much revenue is lost to those who don't want to pay their car tax ? What's the point of punishing illegal drivers if they can just ignore their punishments and get away with it ?

I would be happy with more policing to cope with it and make law breakers pay for it, it would reduce the overcrowding on our roads for a start.

The original question (which I was answering) was regarding the need for additional tests for the over 60s. I think your points are all totally valid but they are about applying the laws we already have, not making up new ones to further regulate the majority who obey what is already there. How is a test for the over 60s going to stop a 25 year old driving without insurance, or stop anyone paying road tax?

 

[bhaexpress]

The original question (which I was answering) was regarding the need for additional tests for the over 60s. I think your points are all totally valid but they are about applying the laws we already have, not making up new ones to further regulate the majority who obey what is already there. How is a test for the over 60s going to stop a 25 year old driving without insurance, or stop anyone paying road tax?

There's no reason why all drivers should not be tested on a regular basis. There's far too many drivers who have not adapted to current driving conditions and at my age I should know. The plain truth is that I would be surprised if more than 50% of drivers with five or more years of experience could pass the currect driving test. The driving test is flawed anyway as how many times do you reverse round a corner ? The driving test does nothing about Motorway driving as learners are not allowed on a motorway which is the height of stupidity in this day and age. The need to NOT cross hands when steering is also out of touch as the steering of modern cars has improved beyond recognition since the driving test was created.

However, if you have to get a car tested annually once it reaches a certain age I see no reason why drivers don't have to do the same.

 

[The Grockle]

I'm not sure how I feel about this.

My Dad is in his early seventies, has never had an accident but by his own admission his reactions are becoming slower and slower I think he knows his limits and drives much more carefully as a result. He lives alone in the countrysde and uses his car for the supermarket and to take his dog for walks, I think it would be a bit unfair to make him re-take a test that he will probably fail, especially given the fact he took a very different test five decades ago, it's a tough one for me.

I think some of the youger posters on here should consider what it would mean to many elderly people to have the ability to drive taken away from them and the independance having a car gives them, we'll all be there one day.

 

[bhaexpress]

I'm not sure how I feel about this.

My Dad is in his early seventies, has never had an accident but by his own admission his reactions are becoming slower and slower I think he knows his limits and drives much more carefully as a result. He lives alone in the countrysde and uses his car for the supermarket and to take his dog for walks, I think it would be a bit unfair to make him re-take a test that he will probably fail, especially given the fact he took a very different test five decades ago, it's a tough one for me.

I think some of the youger posters on here should consider what it would mean to many elderly people to have the ability to drive taken away from them and the independance having a car gives them, we'll all be there one day.

My late father passed his test in 1937. They said that he wasn't very good but he'd get better with practice. He didn't. Although he never had a very serious crash he had a number of fender benders and was generally not a good driver, the trouble was that he really thought he was. As far as it goes it might be unfortunate for somebody to fail the test and have to stop driving (until they took it and passed it) but it's a damn site more unfortunate for somebody who has an accident caused by a another driver who can't manage today's roads let alone get injured by one. There are far too many bad drivers or at least drivers with bad habits who can cause harm on the roads today.

 

[Ryde]

Further to Granny Weatherax's post I would add that it is so simple with modern technology to notify customs at all ports of outstanding fines, parking tickets etc and ensure they ae paid before leaving the country. Every vehicle leaving this country has to go through a port and or customs. If a lorry or car was impounded until a fine had been paid they would be paid very quickly.

Not a workable idea! The UK Border Agency have enough trouble coping now after all the cut backs they have suffered under the current Government.

 

[bhaexpress]

Not a workable idea! The UK Border Agency have enough trouble coping now after all the cut backs they have suffered under the current Government.

The revenue from fines and the sale of impounded equipment would offset a lot of the costs and hopefully fewer accidents who help too.

 

[Tricky Dicky]

I think I would generally ban ....

All drivers under the age of 25
All drivers over the age of 70
Men in the 35-50 age range, due to a possible mid-life crisis and the urge to drive something "cool".
Men in the 51-69 age range because they are undoubtedly fiddling with the radio knob to get radio 2.
Men in the 26-33 age range because they'll be going to, or coming from their drug supplier
and of course all women.

So, basically I would only allow some men, aged around 34, with mid-range cars on to our roads. Insurance would be cheaper, accidents would be down and the roads would be clearer.

Unfortunately I have just barred myself from driving under those guidelines.

 

[Ryde]

The revenue from fines and the sale of impounded equipment would offset a lot of the costs and hopefully fewer accidents who help too.

But you need more bodies to operate it - as soon as an officer stops and detains one lorry the paperwork would take all of the rest of his shift.

It's a great idea but it would not work under the current circumstances.

 

[bhaexpress]

But you need more bodies to operate it - as soon as an officer stops and detains one lorry the paperwork would take all of the rest of his shift.

It's a great idea but it would not work under the current circumstances.

The idea is to increase manpower and then pay for it with fines. That is the reason why American drivers are more careful, US Police forces are reliant on the revenue from traffic fines to pay for themselves.

 

[Ryde]

The idea is to increase manpower and then pay for it with fines. That is the reason why American drivers are more careful, US Police forces are reliant on the revenue from traffic fines to pay for themselves.

But this is the UK and the UK Border Agency are part of the Civil Service which, like businesses, is cutting back staff. This is one of the reasons why illegals get through and drugs are cheaper on the UK streets.

 

[pork pie]

Would it be a good idea to introduce driving tests, which would include a rigerous medical examination, for the over 60s

No. That is too young.

However, say over 70 would be a good idea.

 

[BensGrandad]

The simple answer is when arriving at the docks and you are given your boarding pass they tap into the computer that you are ok to leave no outstanding fines. If there are, you either pay the outstanding amount or you tell the drive ok take lane no 1 and lane No 1 takes you back out of the docks to a compound and there you stay until the fine is paid all you need is a gate man to lift the barrier to allow you to drive out of it when the fine is paid: a toilet and snack van (private enterprise paying a fee) and a machine to accept the fine and or issue a release ticket. Most lorries wouldn't be in the compound very long as the drivers would contact their firm who would pay the fines. You could even charge the vehicles an hourly parking rate to offset the costs of the scheme.

There is only 1 person to blame for the inconvenience caused........ The driver.

 

[hans kraay fan club]

My Dad uses his car to take his dog for walks,

I'm not sure that will work all that well, as a means of excercising it. Is it quite a FAT dog?

 

[public school boy]

Driving 70,000 miles a year mostly on motorways I have noticed that the drivers who seem to have the least idea of lane etiquette are the over 55s. I can't understand why they think that the inside lane is a no go area. If they do not feel safe using the inside lane they should not be on the motorway in the first place. Those drivers who only feel safe driving short distances, such as to the shops or 300 yards to Doris' for a cup of tea, are another category of driver that should not be driving. Some senior drivers are perfectly safe but by introducing tests for the over 55's would keep the unsafe ones off the roads. Once I feel that I'm not up to driving any more I will hang up my keys for good

 

[severnside gull]

for what it's worth I do admit that as I get older I find I drive more conservatively - a combination of a bit slower and a lot more defensively.

It does piss off the boy racers when I don't take up the invitation to race in 30mph limits or country lanes and I am very conscious that this can have the potential to cause accidents as they become frustated - the classic "never had an accident - they always happen behind me"

If I could still drive fast and stay safe I would but eyesight and reactions mean that I am probably becoming a menace

 

[1066gull]

f***ing do it!

God my Dad pisses me off with his driving, doesn't know when to give way!

I'm the only one in the family who hasn't had an accident yet, Ive been driving the shortest yes, but I intend to keep it that way.

My younger brother is on his third vehicle as hes written of two already in 18months and had four accidents!!!

 

[The Grockle]

I'm not sure that will work all that well, as a means of excercising it. Is it quite a FAT dog?

Sorry, did I not mention he has a tread mill in the boot?

 

[1066gull]

Driving 70,000 miles a year mostly on motorways I have noticed that the drivers who seem to have the least idea of lane etiquette are the over 55s. I can't understand why they think that the inside lane is a no go area. If they do not feel safe using the inside lane they should not be on the motorway in the first place. Those drivers who only feel safe driving short distances, such as to the shops or 300 yards to Doris' for a cup of tea, are another category of driver that should not be driving. Some senior drivers are perfectly safe but by introducing tests for the over 55's would keep the unsafe ones off the roads. Once I feel that I'm not up to driving any more I will hang up my keys for good

I did my pass plus in November on the M20 to M23 and though I was watched and guided through, I think motorway is the easiest form of driving, just gotta get use to it and keep checking where you are

The only thing that can be worrying is coming off the motorway, driving 85 mph for a couple of hours suddenly coming off the slip road, 45 mph feels like 15 so you have to watch the speed I feel

I'm still a little hesitant on large busy roundabouts when needed to go right, but hesitancy is probably safer or I just go left and the wrong way entirely to try again which I did for the first time I while back

 

[griff9]

There's no reason why all drivers should not be tested on a regular basis. There's far too many drivers who have not adapted to current driving conditions and at my age I should know. The plain truth is that I would be surprised if more than 50% of drivers with five or more years of experience could pass the currect driving test. The driving test is flawed anyway as how many times do you reverse round a corner ? The driving test does nothing about Motorway driving as learners are not allowed on a motorway which is the height of stupidity in this day and age

100% correct, 80% of people on the roads of any age or gender will not pass their driving test... the younger generation are generally more dangerous due to inexperience then anything else, however they have more chance of passing their driving test as they know the way to drive to pass the test... the way you drive to pass your test is not the way that the average person on the road drives... nor is it the 100% right way to drive, theres a balance inbetween doing the majority of the stuff they tell u on driving lessons to do, and driving how the average person on the road drives... mirror, signal, maneuver, position, speed, look..... do one of those not in that order or out of place and u got urself a point... 15 points to fail, who on the road really does this in that order EVERY time they drive or turn a corner... dont know about u lot but the people i get in cars with definitely don't.

 

[Cian]

I think you see what you want to see. I'm sure the statistics that women are better drivers than men is nonsense too in your (biased) opinion. You want to spend more time watching the road than other drivers.

The sole statistic that "women are better drivers" is that they cause less high-cost car accidents.

When weighted for the fact that women drive a lot less on average than men (skewed by there being a major lack of female bus drivers, truckers, delivery drivers, sales reps, etc, etc) and taking pure accident figures in to account, women have about 4 times as many crashes... better my arse. They also have a significantly lower driving test pass rate in Ireland, usually needing three or four goes; and our driving test is piss easy at that.

I'd love to see some analysis done in to how little women drive during the high risk hours - most under 25 women that are on the roads at 3am on a weekend morning are likely to be being driven by their under 25 boyfriend/partner...