Over 70s face driving curfew

[diy_fun_uk]

I'm not sure what I think of this. If it comes into law it'll be interesting to see what constitutes ill health. I don't doubt there are many elderly people that simply shouldn't be on the roads, however I think a better approach than this would be a basic mandatory medical every 3 years from 70, paid for by the driver. Although there have to be lines in the sand when it comes to policies and laws, it would be a bitter pill to swallow if, at 72 years old, you were forced into a 30 mile limit and no nighttime driving, whereas your 68 year old neighbour with the same medical condition is still legally allowed to drive the length and breadth of the UK morning noon and night.

Over 70s in poor health are facing ban on night time driving in licence shake up | Daily Mail Online

 

[charliegolf]

It's in the mail, so will be the most inflammatory version of a perfectly sensible discussion to have. Restricting the driving privileges of people with health issues which may well impact their driving ability should rightly be considered.

As for retesting- why not every 10 years from 30? Weed out plenty of dipsticks IMO.

 

[ellal]

One could be forgiven for thinking what are those 'medical conditions'?

And could they change dependant on a particular event?

'No jab, no driving' for example?

 

[big-all]

you could try a count-down from 40/49/57/64/70/75/79/82/84/85 =9/8/7/6/5/4/3/2/1

 

[KenGMac]

I was "Banned" from driving on medical grounds.

That was because i had a Heart Attack, went through a "procedure" which carries an automatic one month ban.

There are a lot of medical conditions detailed on the DVLA site that prevent you no matter what age from driving.

 

[^woody^]

A cocoa at 7:00 before Emmerdale and all old dudes should then be off to bed, not rantanning the streets.

 

[conny]

A cocoa at 7:00 before Emmerdale and all old dudes should then be off to bed, not rantanning the streets.

But what do you class as 'old dudes'?
I know people older than me who are good drivers, in good health and have enough marbles left to have serious discussions without losing their rag or straying off topic.
I also know younger people who I wouldn't allow to drive a bumper car, think any subject other than football or the latest rap music banging out their car at 120 decibels, is what life is all about and enjoy getting smashed on strong lager each weekend is amazing.

 

[Brigade77]

One of our gang of bikers was killed by a bloke in his late 70's whose only excuse was that he normally takes someone along with him because his eyesight wasn't as good as it was.

I believe there should be, at minimum, a yearly 'MOT' for the driver as well as the vehicle. Let's not discriminate on age alone, it should be for everyone.

 

[diy_fun_uk]

A cocoa at 7:00 before Emmerdale and all old dudes should then be off to bed, not rantanning the streets.

lol

 

[ReganAndCarter]

As for retesting- why not every 10 years from 30? Weed out plenty of dipsticks IMO.

Not sure what testing experienced drivers over 30 will achieve. The stats are against that, as it's young, inexperienced drivers who are over represented in death and accident figures.

 

[teaboyjim]

Not sure what testing experienced drivers over 30 will achieve. The stats are against that, as it's young, inexperienced drivers who are over represented in death and accident figures.

Hello Regan! Good to see you after so long. Are you on early release due to "tagging"?

 

[teaboyjim]

But what do you class as 'old dudes'?
I know people older than me who are good drivers, in good health and have enough marbles left to have serious discussions without losing their rag or straying off topic.
I also know younger people who I wouldn't allow to drive a bumper car, think any subject other than football or the latest rap music banging out their car at 120 decibels, is what life is all about and enjoy getting smashed on strong lager each weekend is amazing.

Strongly Agree with Conny here. I've known people in their 30's as inept, slow witted, sluggish and more foggy brained than some people in their 90's. Physical age is one thing but your biological age is completely different and is what matters most.

 

[ReganAndCarter]

Hello Regan! Good to see you after so long. Are you on early release due to "tagging"?

Nah , just been away for the weekend 'checking up' on my villa in Nice. Don't tell anyone, don't want them getting jealous.

 

[teaboyjim]

That really would be something to be jealous of though

 

[Bosswhite]

I spent 30 years as a firefighter and have attended many fatal road traffic incidents ( as they are now called) the majority of casualties were within the age range of 18 years /35 years
Over 70`s I could count on the fingers of one hand
this is an ageist proposal .