Living as i do in Bournemouth we have probably more elder rivers than other places (I am one-mid 70's). I do think we should be made to take a simple test to ensure we are still able to drive effectively. Filling in the form to say we are fit in the licence application is really not enough. How many of us has read the Highway Code since we passed our test(1952 i my case).
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A test has been proposed and may I suggest, very politely, that you probably now do have time to read the Highway Code!?
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Not compulsory, but just along the coast in Lymington area, and I assume elsewhere, older drivers can take an assessment test which will highlight areas they need to watch. I believe it is a police initiative. A group of elderly drivers we know took this as they were so scared by one of the group (aged 70ish), in the hope she would join them - unfortunately she told them "you might need it, but I drive very well". arggh!
Bournemouth is not too bad. You should try Milford-on-Sea. The local saying is that the geriatrics move to Lymington to be near their parents in Milford.
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The main problem for elderly driver is their inability to cope with all the requirements that are called for when driving,ie,slowing down for junction,choosing correct gear(may not be able to hear engine note),looking left and right and pulling out.
Many seem to forget to look or carry on in fourth gear juddering their way down the road.
I suppose that a full retest would be the only way of checking.
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Why should we descriminate by age - ALL drivers should have a periodic re-test.
But what is the point when many of those who failed would continue to drive without license as so many do now.
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Having a re-test would be so in-practical for every member of the population, there are enough lerners on the road and where would we get all the instructers.
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Having a re-test would be so in-practical for every member of the population, there are enough lerners on the road and where would we get all the instructers.
Erm... if you've been driving for a decade or however long there is between tests I'd hope you wouldn't need an instructor.
I don't fancy this myself as I don't like the idea of the possibility of losing my licence if I was simply having a bad day. Anyone can fail a driving test if the circumstances are right (wrong) or they are off-colour, expecially when the pressure is on. Anyone who claims they would pass every time is lying.
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AngryJonny (was E34kid)
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Pardon?
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Today's Private Eye, left hand side of p.33, relevant item on modernising driving styles for the over-70s may amuse...
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Pardon?
I SAID... I DON'T FANCY THIS MYSELF AS I DON'T LIKE THE IDEA OF THE POSSIBILITY OF LOSING MY LICENCE IF I WAS SIMPLY HAVING A BAD DAY.
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AngryJonny (was E34kid)
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I mean the people who sit with you , the examiner.
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More use should be made of permanent or long-term disqualification from driving for the worst habitual dangerous drivers of any age.
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Long term disqualification of an old driver isn't going to make them drive any better - they need practice and probably a bit of tuition or revision!
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Having a re-test would be so in-practical for every member of the population, there are enough lerners on the road and where would we get all the instructers.
I might be an older driver but I can Spell LEARNER - obviously the schoolboy cannot spell.
A test evry 10 years - I do not know how many drivers are on the road but there are some 27 million cars, vans, lorries - if we assume a 1:1 ratio and a test every 10 years and assume everyone passes at the first attempt that would make 2.7 million extra test per year - if we assume 6 tests per day per examiner and he / she works 45 weeks / year that is 1350 tests.
2.7 x 10^6 /1.35 x 10^3 = 20,000 extra examiners + support staff
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Tony's cronies would ensure that any retest would cost an exorbitant fee. It would be yet another motoring tax.
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It isn't quite clear whether the OP thinks he himself would benefit from a retest.
Perhaps when someone is pulled by the police for dodgy driving - only very likely if their driving is unusually appalling - they should be assessed by some sort of examiner rather than tested as such, told to sharpen up in various ways and then watched closely, perhaps with another assessment.
Obviously the aim should be to improve people's driving if possible rather than harrassing them and making them even jumpier (if jumpiness is their problem as it so often is with dangerous driving).
I feel some members of an age group I myself am soon to enter are Tomming it up a bit, admitting they are useless and doddring. I don't do this myself. On the contrary I am often critical of whippersnappers, fast reactions and all.
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I might be an older driver but I can Spell LEARNER - obviously the schoolboy cannot spell. A test evry 10 years ....
So what if schoolboy has spelt learner incorrectly? Hardly the crime of the century is it?
And of course your spelling and grammar is 100% perfect is it? Oh hang on.... the word every has 2 e's in it, not one ;o)
DD.
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Re-testing for old people wouldn't hurt, but as posted elsewhere in this thread, it isn't purely an age related things.
As for the number of tests, you can be sure the numbers the next time around would be fewer as the worst drivers (those who cannot drive on a good day), are taken off the road and given a bus-pass, say, (thus improving public transport utilisation)wouldn't half free up the congestion we are suffering :-)
RoSPA already do a 3 year re-test for its members, and looking at the standard of driving on the roads today, more testing can only be a good thing - perhaps they could do that rather then FP and all the noise that revenue raising causes....
It's almost safer to drive in Portual now that it is in the UK...and that is saying something!
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Second time lucky...
It's almost safer to drive in Portual now, than it is in the UK...and that is saying something!
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Second time lucky... It's almost safer to drive in Portual now, than it is in the UK...and that is saying something!
Lovely roads around the Albufera region, and even on the way to the airport (8am on a Monday morning) there was very little traffic. I loved it.
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mss1tw - totally agree...the things Ive got used to is overtakers in the face oncomers on roads not wide enough :-o 1st experienced in a taxi when he was doing the manouver.... have driven myself ever since ;-)
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IMO it is not lack of skill or lack of knowledge that is the Achilles heel of the older driver; it is the inability to concentrate and/or getting distracted that creates the problems. Passing another test when they are on best behaviour proves little.
Young drivers have sharp reactions and skill but lack experience.
The difference is that older drivers tend to recognise their limitations and adjust their driving style; younger drivers tend not to recognise their limitations.
Insurance companies share that view and weight premiums accordingly.
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Cardew - Depends if you regards concentration as a skill?
I agree that if they can "shine" for 30 mins they'll pass - it also shows they are capable of driving well if they choose to.
Perhaps it's the very small % that have lost/ner had the ability that need gently removed before they do it the hard way and involve others.
All other points - I agree totally.
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Young drivers have sharp reactions and skill but lack experience.
Depends what you mean by skill actually. They may be good at doing things they wouldn't do if they had a bit more experience. Skill in this context only comes with experience. Same sort of thing could be said about sharp reactions: doesn't matter how quick they are if they're incorrect. Better to be a bit slower and get it right.
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