One of the problems is that the oldies think they are fit to drive when the clearly aren't, and nothing's gonna stop them driving. A retest would be a good idea though, poss every 2/3 years as said before
Leslie
24 March 2004 12:36 PM
I just feel I have to say that it is very disappointing to see the highly biased attitude of so many here against older drivers. Of course they will drive more slowly in keeping with the train of thought getting slower as you grow older. I do not believe that means they should be thrown off the road. The danger mentioned comes largely from those who are not prepared to show a bit of patience and maybe also because they do not have the spacial awareness to realise that they might drive carefully near an older driver. It is just not required in the RTA that you have to be able to drive without consideration for other driver's abilities.
I think it would be a good thing if people generally went back to treating the elderly with a bit of respect and consideration and stopped acting in such a superior manner. Less selfishness and a bit more forethought perhap's.
Les
OllyK
24 March 2004 12:43 PM
second thing, a lecturer of mine at college reckoned that he got his license without having to take a test, while he was in the army, stationed in the far east somewhere during WWII
Wouldn't surprise me, certainly back then, and indeed during National Service, it was not unusual for somebody to need to be able to drive something they didn't have a licence for. So they would be given the keys to a Land Rover, Motor Cycle, Truck etc, be told to nip to the nearest village and pick up some ciggies for the lads etc and if they came back without damaging the truck they had their licence written up for them. Back then the vehicles were not insured and you couldn't sue the "Queen" either, so if the truck was involved in a smash, it didn't really matter - thankfully that is no longer the case, and you now have to pass the test for any given vehicle type to civillian standards.
