How old is too old to drive?

[Chinman3000]

Following the sad story of the M1 crash where an 87 year old man was driving the wrong way and crashed into a van, killing himselfr and the 27 year old van passanger, and putting the van driver in hospital, personally I really find it unbelievable that someone of 87 is allowed to drive.

I know people are retested at 70 but IMO I dont think anyone over 80 should be allowed to drive.

Story here http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-34503112

 

[Pavilionaire]

I think that there are plenty of 80 year-olds well capable of driving.

I would have thought mandatory testing every 2 years to age 80 and annually thereafter would make sense.

 

[Trufflehound]

You can't put an age cut-off on it - it's different from one person to the next. But I do think everyone, of all ages, should be re-tested and have to renew their licence on a regular basis.

My mother-in-law is 90, has all her marbles, and is probably a better driver than you. On the other hand, there are tens of thousands of drivers out there in their teens and 20s (and at all other stages of life) who are a danger to themselves and to others. Many of them should not have a licence.

 

[skipper734]

Not really much to do with age.

 

[Chinman3000]

You can't put an age cut-off on it - it's different from one person to the next. But I do think everyone, of all ages, should be re-tested and have to renew their licence on a regular basis.

My mother-in-law is 90, has all her marbles, and is probably a better driver than you. On the other hand, there are tens of thousands of drivers out there in their teens and 20s (and at all other stages of life) who are a danger to themselves and to others. Many of them should not have a licence.

You absolutely can put an age limit on it. There is a minimum age to drive so there could be a maximum.

There will always be some older drivers that are fine to drive, as there would be for those under 17. But in the majority older drivers have lower reaction speeds and poorer decision making.

 

[Mileoakman]

I know people are retested at 70 but IMO I dont think anyone over 80 should be allowed to drive.


I think your find that over 70's aren't retested as such. We just have to get our doctor to certify that we are still fit to drive every 3 years.

 

[Vegas Seagull]

Age cut off and maybe a curfew. Many of these 'wrong way' incidents occur at night with in difficult conditions which aid confusion. These ludicrous pensioners just should not be allowed on the road at 2am

 

[StonehamPark]

I think every single driver from 17 up, should be fully re-tested (theory and practical) every 5 years.
But that's living in a perfect world, no one would finance this.

So a more realistic scenario. Every driver from 60 years up should fully re-test (theory and practical) every 2 years.

 

[symyjym]

I think every single driver from 17 up, should be fully re-tested (theory and practical) every 5 years.
But that's living in a perfect world, no one would finance this.

So a more realistic scenario. Every driver from 60 years up should fully re-test (theory and practical) every 2 years.

60

 

[Triggaaar]

You absolutely can put an age limit on it. There is a minimum age to drive so there could be a maximum.

There will always be some older drivers that are fine to drive, as there would be for those under 17.

It doesn't have a big impact of a child's life that they can't drive. They wouldn't normally have a car anyway, they get ferried around by their parents, and they don't have long to wait until they can drive.

An older driver however, has decades of driving experience, and it could have a big impact on their life if they lose their car. Of course we don't want unsafe drivers, but if they're tested regularly, that should help remove that problem.

 

[SAC]

Everyone should have to take their test again every 5 years, it is ridiculous that I passed my test 31 years ago and I have not been tested again. Also, if are banned and you lose you licence you should have to take your test again.

 

[TWOCHOICEStom]

My girlfriends grandad is still driving at 92!

He's fine 90% of the time. But 10% of the time he's terrifying. "I don't drive that often" is his excuse.

 

[symyjym]

It doesn't have a big impact of a child's life that they can't drive. They wouldn't normally have a car anyway, they get ferried around by their parents, and they don't have long to wait until they can drive.

An older driver however, has decades of driving experience, and it could have a big impact on their life if they lose their car. Of course we don't want unsafe drivers, but if they're tested regularly, that should help remove that problem.

If [MENTION=17571]StonehamPark[/MENTION] got his way Martin Perry will be due for a re-test in the next couple of years.

 

[Exile]

If [MENTION=17571]StonehamPark[/MENTION] got his way Martin Perry will be due for a re-test in the next couple of years.

Never mind Perry - CHRIS HUGHTON would need one in three!

 

[StonehamPark]

60

If [MENTION=17571]StonehamPark[/MENTION] got his way Martin Perry will be due for a re-test in the next couple of years.

Bear in mind, this is wholly based on my Mother's driving (in)ability.

 

[Dick Knights Mumm]

It is the nightmare for every person with an elderly relative still driving. Sometimes you just need to take the keys away otherwise some innocent might suffer.

 

[Thunder Bolt]

Bear in mind, this is wholly based on my Mother's driving (in)ability.

There are full time working drivers aged over 60 considering they don't retire until 67 nowadays.

You don't suddenly lose your marbles or reactions when you reach your 60th birthday.

 

[Triggaaar]

It is the nightmare for every person with an elderly relative still driving. Sometimes you just need to take the keys away otherwise some innocent might suffer.

I'm glad my mum didn't have that attitude, or I'd have lost my car years ago.

 

[gregbrighton]

Won't be long til we have driverless cars. We can put the pensioners safely away in them.

 

[maltaseagull]

I think every single driver from 17 up, should be fully re-tested (theory and practical) every 5 years.
But that's living in a perfect world, no one would finance this.

So a more realistic scenario. Every driver from 60 years up should fully re-test (theory and practical) every 2 years.

err wait till you are 60 and see if you still agree with that ridiculous statement.