Old people and cars

[GetToDaChopa]

Here is an experience i had this morning.

I'm wondering and i know i might be bringing up an older topic but it's a concern. This morning i was buying something from the service station and an old fellow asked me if i could help him pump up his tyres. I'm glad to help out and checked the tyres for him but his excuse of why he could not do it was because he had the wrong glasses on and that he could not grip the handle properly or bend or sit down to do it.

So my first thought is, why are you still driving? You can't even check your tyre pressure nor can you SEE your tyre pressure. Then i've started to wonder, what would his reaction time be to an accident? Would he be able to see it in the first place. And the way he walked i'm wondering now how long would it have taken for him to lift his foot of the accelerator and move it towards the brake and push down if your legs are barely working if there is danger ahead?

I feel better now... Is anyone doing anything about this problem in the government? look at how many laws there are on p plate drivers and how many restrictions there are. There should be a reflex test or something.

[CANYONERO]

i think people aged over 70 or something like that need to do a test to see if there still able enough every 12 months. dont quote me on that though. in SA that is.

[southy]

IMO they should be made to do a driving test when they reach a certain age.. Also when my pop used to drive he asked dad (who was in the passenger seat) what does the numberplate say infront? pretty sure they didnt let him drive after that!

[Julie]

Of course the government isnt doing anything about it, imagine all those senior cit's votes they would lose

[minux]

i think people aged over 70 or something like that need to do a test to see if there still able enough every 12 months. dont quote me on that though. in SA that is.

Safe to say i think this sort of test should be done for every driver every 2 years.

[GetToDaChopa]

Also since we are on the subject another older lady pulled up to stop, right in front of the merging lane, right in front of me while i was merging! i had to slam it to stop in time.

[minux]

Also since we are on the subject another older lady pulled up to stop, right in front of the merging lane, right in front of me while i was merging! i had to slam it to stop in time.

There was an accident a while ago where a truck driver killed some people in Melbourne because of this exact same thing. Some asian lady just stopped dead. Truck went straight through them.

Its not just common in old people, so many do it. I get so frustrated when you want to merge onto a highway and people are doing 60 going into a 100 zone, its downright bloody dangerous.

[Calaber]

It's a sensitive subject and there is only one safe answer. It's an answer that should apply on a national basis, not state by state as happens at present.

Once a driver reaches a certain age, they are subject to a medical assessment. I don't know what the age is, I think it is around 80 in NSW. This assessment is conducted every "x" years, annual or not, I'm not sure.

If however, your GP is aware of some physical or psychological impediment to your fitness to drive, there is a legal responsiblity for him/her to advise the licensing authority (RTA) who will arrange an independent assessment. This happened to my father in law who had his license removed at 82 years of age, but should have had the sense to surrender it years earlier.

Unfortunately, older drivers value their independence and freedom to drive, even though they are well past their use-by date and should surrender their license voluntarily. Many genuinely have no idea just how dangerous they are, and you can't tell them - they know better.

I would say in the case cited in the OP that this old feller was one who should have been at least nominated by his GP for the independent assesment. And therin lies the problem - many GP's don't want to cause their patients the anguish. (which I think is a bloody stupid stance to take - the community's welfare MUST come before the individual's, always.)

[GetToDaChopa]

True, and very lucky i wasn't a truck and that my brakes are in excellent working order. I love you brakes, you've saved me many times

[CANYONERO]

Safe to say i think this sort of test should be done for every driver every 2 years.

totally agree.....