Very old people driving
22 December 2012, 01:32 PM
#31
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So you're driving at 70 miles an hour and you switch lanes without indicating, or it seems looking, and some sort of defence would be you shouldn't expect anyone to be driving above 70, or indeed any speed if they're already beside you? Seriously just 10mph over a 70 limit?
That's even if the guy who nearly got hit was in fact doing 80, an indicated 80 is usually out at least 5 mph over the real speed.
I can't for the life of me see why there isn't a competency test, or at least a proper eye test, for someone over the age of 70/80.
That's even if the guy who nearly got hit was in fact doing 80, an indicated 80 is usually out at least 5 mph over the real speed.
I can't for the life of me see why there isn't a competency test, or at least a proper eye test, for someone over the age of 70/80.
Les
23 December 2012, 03:33 PM
#34
No, I have diplomatic immunity !
I can only imagine that you don't drive much on UK motorways ?
The vast majority of traffic tends to travel at 80mph or more, the police don't even waste their time and resources trying to enforce the 70mph limit, the country would grind to a halt if they did.
Driving 'illegally' does not mean that by definition you are driving 'badly' the two things are completely different.
If you choose to obey a 40 year old law that was imposed without research in the first place, that is up to you.
I drive to the road and conditions and rely on judgement and observation.
I can only imagine that you don't drive much on UK motorways ?
The vast majority of traffic tends to travel at 80mph or more, the police don't even waste their time and resources trying to enforce the 70mph limit, the country would grind to a halt if they did.
Driving 'illegally' does not mean that by definition you are driving 'badly' the two things are completely different.
If you choose to obey a 40 year old law that was imposed without research in the first place, that is up to you.
I drive to the road and conditions and rely on judgement and observation.
23 December 2012, 05:52 PM
#36
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+2 with the voices!
Road safety is much better than doing a few mph over. I'd much rather see someone going passed me at 80mph than somebody swerving over the road as they talk on their phone, eat, smoke, read a map, or a just simply have no perception of road awareness!
And anyone who says they haven't creapt over 70 is in my eyes telling porkies! Even if you stick cruise control on, going down hills it goes beyond the speed limit. Not disagreeing with the fact it's unlawful or say I speed, however, even the speed cameras are supposedly set to give you 10% +3/4mph (80/81mph), and if you do 70 on a motorway you get left behind by most traffic!
Road safety is much better than doing a few mph over. I'd much rather see someone going passed me at 80mph than somebody swerving over the road as they talk on their phone, eat, smoke, read a map, or a just simply have no perception of road awareness!
And anyone who says they haven't creapt over 70 is in my eyes telling porkies! Even if you stick cruise control on, going down hills it goes beyond the speed limit. Not disagreeing with the fact it's unlawful or say I speed, however, even the speed cameras are supposedly set to give you 10% +3/4mph (80/81mph), and if you do 70 on a motorway you get left behind by most traffic!
23 December 2012, 05:58 PM
#37
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And regarding the original post, yes, I would inform the police!
We had to phone them as for 2 days in a row we saw an elderly lady come out of a junction, go around the roundabout the wrong way on to 40mph dual carriageway (main road) and head towards a busy traffic light controlled system. Luckily it was at a quiet period of the day. Certainly a hazard you aren't expecting to see, surprisingly we haven't seem her or her car since!
We had to phone them as for 2 days in a row we saw an elderly lady come out of a junction, go around the roundabout the wrong way on to 40mph dual carriageway (main road) and head towards a busy traffic light controlled system. Luckily it was at a quiet period of the day. Certainly a hazard you aren't expecting to see, surprisingly we haven't seem her or her car since!
24 December 2012, 07:30 AM
#39
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No, I have diplomatic immunity !
I can only imagine that you don't drive much on UK motorways ?
The vast majority of traffic tends to travel at 80mph or more, the police don't even waste their time and resources trying to enforce the 70mph limit, the country would grind to a halt if they did.
Driving 'illegally' does not mean that by definition you are driving 'badly' the two things are completely different.
If you choose to obey a 40 year old law that was imposed without research in the first place, that is up to you.
I drive to the road and conditions and rely on judgement and observation.
I can only imagine that you don't drive much on UK motorways ?
The vast majority of traffic tends to travel at 80mph or more, the police don't even waste their time and resources trying to enforce the 70mph limit, the country would grind to a halt if they did.
Driving 'illegally' does not mean that by definition you are driving 'badly' the two things are completely different.
If you choose to obey a 40 year old law that was imposed without research in the first place, that is up to you.
I drive to the road and conditions and rely on judgement and observation.
It largely depends on whether you are prepared to accept living in an organised society which has self imposed rules. Should we all just do whatever we want regardless of how it affects others,is that your idea?
One point of course is that although cars handle better these days, human reactions and basic ability have not changed over the years. You might consider yourself to be a star as far as your driving ability is concerned,but then you are likely to be biased!
If you feel so strongly about the maximum then you do of course have the right to complain to the authorities and lobby your MP to get the limit changed. In the meantime the law states the maximum speed you are allowed to use.
Les
24 December 2012, 09:09 PM
#40
There is still a law kicking about that states that no one may carry out their profession or calling on Christmas Day (think it dates from the 1620's)
Technically this means that police officers working tomorrow should place themselves under arrest ?
Another example of a pointless, outdated law that no one bothers to obey !
I agree with speed limits where there is proven, scientific evidence to support a lower speed, for example statistics showing that pedestrian deaths or serious injuries are reduced by lowering some limits to 30 or even 20mph.
The national speed limit of 70mph on the other hand was decided upon without the benefit of any proven benefits (except, perhaps, for better fuel economy during the oil crisis ?)
If you want to stick to this maximum, no problem.
All I ask is that everyone on the road maintains a high level of awareness and observation just in case not everyone else follows your example.
The majority of accidents are caused by bad driving not outright speed.
I always fall apart laughing when some road safety campaigner who thinks we should still have a man with a red flag in front of the car states that the majority of accidents are speed related.
Of course they are you cretin !
If the car or cars were stopped, there couldn't be an accident, so speed was a factor !
Technically this means that police officers working tomorrow should place themselves under arrest ?
Another example of a pointless, outdated law that no one bothers to obey !
I agree with speed limits where there is proven, scientific evidence to support a lower speed, for example statistics showing that pedestrian deaths or serious injuries are reduced by lowering some limits to 30 or even 20mph.
The national speed limit of 70mph on the other hand was decided upon without the benefit of any proven benefits (except, perhaps, for better fuel economy during the oil crisis ?)
If you want to stick to this maximum, no problem.
All I ask is that everyone on the road maintains a high level of awareness and observation just in case not everyone else follows your example.
The majority of accidents are caused by bad driving not outright speed.
I always fall apart laughing when some road safety campaigner who thinks we should still have a man with a red flag in front of the car states that the majority of accidents are speed related.
Of course they are you cretin !
If the car or cars were stopped, there couldn't be an accident, so speed was a factor !
24 December 2012, 09:33 PM
#41
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There is still a law kicking about that states that no one may carry out their profession or calling on Christmas Day (think it dates from the 1620's)
Technically this means that police officers working tomorrow should place themselves under arrest ?
Another example of a pointless, outdated law that no one bothers to obey !
I agree with speed limits where there is proven, scientific evidence to support a lower speed, for example statistics showing that pedestrian deaths or serious injuries are reduced by lowering some limits to 30 or even 20mph.
The national speed limit of 70mph on the other hand was decided upon without the benefit of any proven benefits (except, perhaps, for better fuel economy during the oil crisis ?)
If you want to stick to this maximum, no problem.
All I ask is that everyone on the road maintains a high level of awareness and observation just in case not everyone else follows your example.
The majority of accidents are caused by bad driving not outright speed.
I always fall apart laughing when some road safety campaigner who thinks we should still have a man with a red flag in front of the car states that the majority of accidents are speed related.
Of course they are you cretin !
If the car or cars were stopped, there couldn't be an accident, so speed was a factor !
Technically this means that police officers working tomorrow should place themselves under arrest ?
Another example of a pointless, outdated law that no one bothers to obey !
I agree with speed limits where there is proven, scientific evidence to support a lower speed, for example statistics showing that pedestrian deaths or serious injuries are reduced by lowering some limits to 30 or even 20mph.
The national speed limit of 70mph on the other hand was decided upon without the benefit of any proven benefits (except, perhaps, for better fuel economy during the oil crisis ?)
If you want to stick to this maximum, no problem.
All I ask is that everyone on the road maintains a high level of awareness and observation just in case not everyone else follows your example.
The majority of accidents are caused by bad driving not outright speed.
I always fall apart laughing when some road safety campaigner who thinks we should still have a man with a red flag in front of the car states that the majority of accidents are speed related.
Of course they are you cretin !
If the car or cars were stopped, there couldn't be an accident, so speed was a factor !
24 December 2012, 09:54 PM
#42
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The police can fill in a form in relation to someone who is no longer fit to drive due to medical problems and send it to the DVLA. The DVLA do take it quite seriously TBH - but if they dont know they cant do anything - and of course it does not stop them driving if they really want too.
25 December 2012, 10:52 PM
#43
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26 December 2012, 04:44 PM
#44
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When my late dad (God bless him) was getting on for 70 years old he sent his licence back to DVLA and got me to sell his car for him. He had the common sense to realise he was getting close to the point where he would no longer be a safe driver due to his age and poor health. He was still a pretty good driver in my opinion, but he said he knew in himself his reaction time and physical abilities were a lot less than they used to be.
Wish you were still with us Dad
Wish you were still with us Dad
Last edited by WRXBOB; 26 December 2012 at 04:46 PM.
26 December 2012, 05:03 PM
#45
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When my late dad (God bless him) was getting on for 70 years old he sent his licence back to DVLA and got me to sell his car for him. He had the common sense to realise he was getting close to the point where he would no longer be a safe driver due to his age and poor health. He was still a pretty good driver in my opinion, but he said he knew in himself his reaction time and physical abilities were a lot less than they used to be.
Wish you were still with us Dad
Wish you were still with us Dad
. Andy
26 December 2012, 05:15 PM
#47
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When my late dad (God bless him) was getting on for 70 years old he sent his licence back to DVLA and got me to sell his car for him. He had the common sense to realise he was getting close to the point where he would no longer be a safe driver due to his age and poor health. He was still a pretty good driver in my opinion, but he said he knew in himself his reaction time and physical abilities were a lot less than they used to be.
Wish you were still with us Dad
Wish you were still with us Dad
27 December 2012, 06:06 PM
#48
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at the end of the day, is driving in excess of 70mph on a road where this is the limit an offence?
paying attention to road conditions and driving accordingly is common sense, but if you stray over the limit are you breaking the law - and what does that law actually state?
its like nundreds of laws in this country, considered out of date, non applicable ect ect - but if caught breaking them you still MAY end up in some kind of trouble.
id agree for the speed limit thing in some cases its ludicrous, in others its not.
paying attention to road conditions and driving accordingly is common sense, but if you stray over the limit are you breaking the law - and what does that law actually state?
its like nundreds of laws in this country, considered out of date, non applicable ect ect - but if caught breaking them you still MAY end up in some kind of trouble.
id agree for the speed limit thing in some cases its ludicrous, in others its not.
28 December 2012, 06:14 PM
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30 December 2012, 04:24 PM
#52
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I had an old gentleman (well, not so gentle tbh) who I pulled out in front of at a junction, as he kindly let me do so by slowing down. But even then, he was pointing at me like a ***** and muttering some indignant fennachennabennah at me that I could hear anyway, Ha! May be he didn't really slow down and that was the speed he drove at i.e. 1 mile per hour.
I don't know what he expected but what I do know is that some elderly people are just impossible!
I don't know what he expected but what I do know is that some elderly people are just impossible!
Last edited by Turbohot; 30 December 2012 at 04:25 PM.
30 December 2012, 05:41 PM
#53
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Oh don't talk to me about OAP drivers. You're sitting behind them at the lights when they change to green, about half a minute later they finally decide to pull away and you just manage to follow them across the junction before the lights change back to red. You're coming upto the next set of lights still behind them just as the lights are changing to red and what do they do? you guessed it they sail through the red light.
30 December 2012, 06:52 PM
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31 December 2012, 11:11 AM
#55
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Old Bill informed (not that I enjoyed it) and they said they would follow it up by having a quiet word. Just hope it works before the old guy takes himself out or somebody else. Andy
31 December 2012, 02:11 PM
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I think you guys are being a bit harsh, look at Jeremy Clarkson, he is doing okay for an old codger.
But seriously, they are dangerous on the road but now and then you do see some old guy who knows how to drive.
But seriously, they are dangerous on the road but now and then you do see some old guy who knows how to drive.
31 December 2012, 03:15 PM
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02 January 2013, 12:14 PM
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Its a bit harsh stopping old people driving, but some of them it is downright dangerous.
I live a little out in the sticks, a few elderly homes around and so theres a fair few of em driving round here.
What always gets me is when they get to the shops, it takes some of them 5 mins to get out of the car, get the walking stick and then struggle to barely walk into the shop. If they can't even walk how can they be driving a car with any kind of control......
I live a little out in the sticks, a few elderly homes around and so theres a fair few of em driving round here.
What always gets me is when they get to the shops, it takes some of them 5 mins to get out of the car, get the walking stick and then struggle to barely walk into the shop. If they can't even walk how can they be driving a car with any kind of control......