General Chat

I completely agree Shirley...

Like you,I had to take over after my husband became ill.
He died 4 years ago and I was determined not to sit at home and be miserable.,as I had been confined to the house for over 3 years ,apart from when I eventually got Crossroads to send someone to sit with him for a couple of hours a week..and to get in the car and do my own thing was wonderful.

I do wish you all the best,and glad you have managed to get some support!
We are a tough lot us oldies! :-)

Would we recognise when we’re unsafe to drive? Would we act on it if we were told the same?

My father had driven his sale’s rep’s ‘patch’ in the SE for getting on for 60+ years clocking up thousands of miles per annum. Sure, he collected a few more dings than the average commuter, but even those were in proportion to the miles/hours travelled. Everyone considered him to be an excellent driver.

That all changed after his 1st stroke aged 80. Once he was allowed back on the road, it was obvious he had lost his touch – mounting kerbs, hitting Islands and pulling out in front of oncoming vehicles. He wouldn’t listen to family concerns – it was always someone or something’s fault, not his.
His GP did eventually tell him to stop driving. The evening before we’d arranged to sell the car to a main dealer, he ‘sleep-drove’ it into 3 parked cars and wrote off his own.

Father-in-law voluntarily stopped driving earlier this year. For about the last 5 years he could only drive if MiL was next to him checking for vehicles joining at junctions or telling him if it was safe to proceed. Other relatives refused to be his passengers.

In an ideal world both of the Father’s should have stopped when driving became a struggle. Tests might have picked up physical problems, but not lack of confidence or delusions.

We drove past an upturned car on Friday morning on the way to the supermarket.

There were two fire engines two ambulances three police cars and a helicopter there. It was on the exit slipway of one of the dual carriageway parkways circling the city.

I did find a report in the on-line local paper later on that day. If didn't have too many details other than the driver was an elderly man.

Incidentally, a scooter which can do 8mph on the road has to have a limiter switch setting the max speed to 4mph when used on the pavement.

A class III scooter is supposed to be registered - most are not esp used. There is no penalty for failure to register.

Class III may be powered other than by electricity eg petrol. There are mini quad bikes with petrol engines which are sometimes driven on the highway where the drivers claim class III exemption on the basis that a manual speed limiter is fitted.

The 4mph limiter is switched on/off by the driver it is not automatic. As I posted a tamper proof automatic override with speed sensor will add a lot to cost. I don't think you would get very far in say, Sheffield or Lincoln with a scooter unable to go up hills.

Although illegal it is not unusual to see class III scooters driven well in excess of 8mph but rarely by disabled people. It is quite easy to "tweak" the electrical ones class II or III though it limits range.

My feeling is that class II/III should be registered with a penalty for failing to do so and a reg plate + insurance sticker. Use should be confined to disabled people only. I would also like to see a crackdown on pavement parking.

I have no idea whether the banned drivers I see motoring off to the pub on these chariots are legal ( even at 4 mph ) or if driving a scooter under the influence could affect yr DL if you have one. In any case I would have thought that driving down the Seven Sisters Road inebriated at 12 mph on a scooter with no lights suggested somebody tired of London life.

Those who drive them on rural roads at any time are also soon to cash in their life insurance. As the DLA scheme allows for a proper car (new) I don't know why those eligible don't opt for that.

Given the parlous state of police resources I doubt that enforcing scooter regs is very high on their list.

As Errol says some people don't know when to stop.

My FiL had Glaucoma and was colour blind but thought he could still drive. I went out with him one day and had to take over after a few hundred yards. He couldn't see red lights at 10 yards and was an accident waiting to happen. He never drove again.

Andy

We nearly got wiped out twice last week
Both drivers well into their 80s

They should have to have a two yearly test at least :-( :-(

I have a new car paid for by my DLA which is fantastic (this is my 5th one) and I am grateful.

So it's great to be able to be driven to my destination but not so clever when required to walk once I am there.

To have a small scooter in the boot to use at the 'other end' would be marvellous.

A car isn't the answer to every need we have.

Well said Supercrutch, I'd be lost without mine and
wheelchair.

My OH needs a break from pushing me in my
wheelchair especially in the summer.

eRRolSheep .....where has he gone?

It's very difficult to generalise ....one person at 80 could be in better health than a 40 or 50 yr old.
Just read about a big accident involving motorbikes on the road I travel every Thursday .i agree if it is a matter of losing sight ,or stroke or disability,but who knows what can happen with anyone ,regardless of age.

Today, while on the A15 at Yaxley, I saw coming toward me, a cyclist on the pavement, riding " No hands" and both hands holding, I presume, a mobile phone of some sort.........

Bob

I am appalled by the lack of consideration, by some motorists towards other motorists(or pedestrians)

namely indicating at roundabouts, those that think signalling doesn't apply to them, those that indicate as an afterthought............those that are still indicating right, swinging left...........

Mirror, Signal, Manoeuver??? is that not taught any more?

whatever happened to the idea that drivers coming toward you need to know your intentions?


Bob

Sue,

no matter what term is preferred to describe various conditions,creeds, afflictions, the condition is still the same
I and I am sure that many older people still use terms that were quite valid in their younger days


because that was what I was brought up with..........I still would use the term Invalid,

and so it seems does the DVLA............(Gov.uk)


" Mobility scooters, powered wheel chairs and invalid carriages

They must have a maximum speed of 8mph on the road, and be fitted with a device limiting them to 4mph on footways to be exempt." etc........

Bob

no offence intended
:-)

There is no such thing as an invalid carriage Bob.....see here...they were banned in 2003

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-ouch-23061676

I have been following this thread for a short while and I have to add that in the almost-50 years that I've been driving I would trust nobody on the roads.

I have seen young and old make basic errors that made me wonder whether they got their licences out of the weetie box.

I was taught by an ex-police instructor and since then I've also done a defensive driving course but in no way would I describe myself as better than the driver next to me because we are all prone to sudden bouts of illness, lack of concentration etc. I try to drive safely and to keep myself safe.

don't tell me, Sue,

tell the government!!! dvla/gov

https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-exempt-from-vehicle-tax

That will be my next mission Bob :-D

Edit: just started to annoy them ;-)

Well said JoyLouise...
I was taught in the days of hand signals,starting handles..dip switches on the floor etc, when to drive we had to cope without sensors and various gadgets..my driving instructor reckoned that driving an automatic didn't use the skills of driving!

Things have changed since then and I know there is a lot more traffic,but in my day you had no boy racers with loud exhausts who have to get in front no matter what...but,we were taught to concentrate and be aware that we were in charge of a vehicle..not be distracted with phones etc.

Ah! the Invacar was banned.........
not the term.......


40Mph............to 82............some carriage...........
Bob

I'm not sure that all younger drivers would know how to use hand signals. Are they still taught how to do so?

Also, if they weren't driving an automatic could they double-declutch?

Keep safe, Brenda.