O/T Should old people have to retake their test

[Bwian]

Nuns are the worst.

*awaits 'Bad Habits' pun*

 

[Bakesy]

Everyone should have a medical every 5 years, like us old Truckers have to.

#cough please#

 

[Bakesy]

So, what age do you reckon old people turn into bad drivers?
The licence goes up to 70 at the moment.

58

 

[withdeanwombat]

Oh,and look at all those wonderful young drivers who send everyones premiums up!

No driving until 30!!!!

 

[Yorkie]

58

You had no complaints when I drove you drunken lot back from Derby.

 

[Bakesy]

You had no complaints when I drove you drunken lot back from Derby.

 

[The Large One]

I can see your point, but you must realise you would be in the minority of those that would pass first time.

Its not through losing the bad habits as such, and I totally agree that all mirror checks and that sort are incredibly important, but the hardest part of a test is the manoevres, its where a huge amount of people fail. For example, I can reverse park (i think) very well, but I have no recollection of how I was taught to do it. I perform all necessary observations and have complete awareness and control of the car, but I definitely don't do it in the way the test requires.

But that sort of thing isn't always the problem - especially if you have awareness and are in complete control of your vehicle.

The problem - as has been mentioned on here - is things that are not taught, but are in The Highway Code. Lane discipline, speed, consideration, use of mobile phones, tailgating etc. Personally, I am in favour of mandatory 10-year tests.

But don't get me started on the completely stupid insensitive wankers who sit in the middle lane of a motorway. Doing it at 70mph is one thing (thereby implying that to overtake would be illegal), but doing it at 55mph on a basically empty stretch of road. SAKE.

 

[Icy Gull]

Maybe a reactions and awareness test on a simulator for over 50's every three to five years, coupled with a medical at the same time in a driving centre could work?

For youngsters I reckon an obligatory large sticker on the back of the car for drivers who have passed their tests for the 1st year - something like ND for new driver, would at least give the rest of us warning that the driver in front is not too experienced.

I aslo get really pissed off with drivers cutting up learners as well, easy to forget we were all there once and it must be 'kin scary to have some tosser belting past and cutting in front of you in case you hold him/her up at the next roundabout or junction

 

[bhaexpress]

My late father passed his test in 1937, He was told at the time 'You are not very good but you will get better'. He didn't. He was a bad driver (he thought he was good) and had more than a few accidents. I think that EVERYBODY should be tested every five years.

 

[Yorkie]

Maybe a reactions and awareness test on a simulator for over 50's every three to five years, coupled with a medical at the same time in a driving centre could work?

My blood pressure and cholesterol are exactly the same as they were 40 years ago.
The main problem with over 45s is eyesight. Everyone over that age should have a sight test every two years.
I have only been wearing glasses for 6 years as before that my eyesight was perfect. (presbamyopia - ageing eyes)

 

[bhaexpress]

My father's problem was that he was a crap driver to start with but too damned arrogant to accept it.

 

[Icy Gull]

My blood pressure and cholesterol are exactly the same as they were 40 years ago.
The main problem with over 45s is eyesight. Everyone over that age should have a sight test every two years.
I have only been wearing glasses for 6 years as before that my eyesight was perfect. (presbamyopia - ageing eyes)

Why do I get the impression that you think you are being singled out on this thread?. The lady protesteth too much

 

[bhaexpress]

Why do I get the impression that you think you are being singled out on this thread?. The lady protesteth too much

Actually I'm nearly as old as Yorkie and I would hazard a guess that apart from being long sighted I'm as fit as I was in when I passed my test 33 years ago. However, I'd be the first to admit that I probably wouldn't pass my test now.

 

[Yorkie]

Why do I get the impression that you think you are being singled out on this thread?. The lady protesteth too much

Not at all but as an 'oldie' I am putting forward a viewpoint.

 

[fatboy]

There is no way my grandad should still be driving. He is 82 and can hardly walk.

He is probably a safer driver than me - sticks to speed limits etc, but in the unlikely event that he needs react quickly to slam on his breaks - I don't think he could.

But if you take away his car you take away his freedom.


It's similar to people over the drink drive limit. In many cases they still drive safely, but if they need to react to something quickly they probably can't.

 

[hans kraay fan club]

There is no way my grandad should still be driving. He is 82 and can hardly walk.

He is probably a safer driver than me - sticks to speed limits etc, but in the unlikely event that he needs react quickly to slam on his breaks - I don't think he could.

But if you take away his car you take away his freedom.


It's similar to people over the drink drive limit. In many cases they still drive safely, but if they need to react to something quickly they probably can't.

Absolutely.

Also, though on a slightly different vein - have you noticed how nearly all the broken down cars on the hard shoulder are driven by Asians? Seriously.

 

[bhaexpress]

Absolutely.

Also, though on a slightly different vein - have you noticed how nearly all the broken down cars on the hard shoulder are driven by Asians? Seriously.

I used to live up that way at one point. No word of a lie, some (not all) Asians thought that they had to have a SINGLE driving licence per car and not per person.

 

[Marshy]

Im not sure a test is nesscecatry, just an eye test and some sort of reaction test i think, could be easily set up in a simulator.

 

[Norman Baker suck my lozenge]

I saw some poor old sod filling up at Tesco Shoreham the other day,poor old bugger was clinging to his car as He made His way to the pump,no way He should still be driving,however there are more bad young drivers on the road than bad old drivers,I think everyone should re-take their test every 10years.I also think We should have to display smaller versions of mot and insurance certificates in our windscreens.I'm neither old or young(34) and make these observations as probably the best driver in southern England.....

 

[LANGDON SEAGULL]

What really bugs me is people not using their indicators. Nearly went into the back of someone last week who decided to turn into a road without indicating. Also, the car in front of me on the A12 last week had no brake lights working!

Youre right about young women in 4 x 4's. Im a teacher and at the end of the day, the car park and path is chock full of these monstrocities, zooming up at 40mph even though there are kids wandering around, and blocking the school buses from getting out. This despite numerous mentions in the school bulletin not to use the school car park.

Particularly annoying when I'm in a hurry to leave for the Withdean for an evening game. Inconsiderate fools.