Guest 694- Registered: 22 Mar 2010
- Posts: 778
23 September 2010
21:3172186Vic...
a fire extinguisher was the thing that got my family and i out of a car crash in germany... so i always have one. Smashed the windows so we could get out...
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
23 September 2010
21:3672188Good for you Mrs Sutton with the fuel we now use in our cars ,it goes up right away.I have only had two crash,s in my life one when I was in the Army only 19years old I was not speeding but run into the back of a big lorry and Yes i was to blame,the other one was about 12years ago i had my wife and dog with me and acar on the other side of the road coming the other way could not slow down to go around the bend rain at the time hit me head on when she came across the road,her age was 30+ and after we all got out she told the police she was to blame,it is speed that cause,s 90% of crashs nothing to do with age.
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,025
24 September 2010
09:0572237Reading this post again and seeing the post from Harry made me think Buses,Recently travelling home on a bus along Lewisham Road ,lady driver keeping well within the speed limit when an elderly gentleman pulled out of Cowper Road .His car touched our bus .WE thought he was not going to stop.It took this elderly driver several minutes before he reversed back .The bus could not move util he did that .A good bit of driving by the lady driver .I sat in amazement as this chap was completly unaware of the bus .
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
24 September 2010
09:0972238that is quite common unfortunately, my elderly neighbour had his keys taken away after driving through someone's garage door.
there was a case a while back where an elderly driver managed to hit the front of the christian cafe in worthington street.
she hit the accelarator instead of the brake, i always wondered how she got the car at that angle in the first place.
Guest 702- Registered: 9 Jul 2010
- Posts: 241
24 September 2010
22:4272385On a recent Traffic Cops programme the Sussex Police had a phrase "Sudden unexpected acceleration" for drivers of automatics who press the wrong pedal.
Guest 686- Registered: 5 May 2009
- Posts: 556
24 September 2010
23:5872389I know I've entered this discussion a bit late but...
...can someone define "elderly" please?
Much has been said, and written, about driving in relation to age and there are no definate answers as far as I'm aware. Statistically a driver under the age of 25 is far more likely to have an accident than one over the age of 50. You only have to look at insurance premiums to see that and it is rare that insurance companies get this sort of risk assessment wrong! They also differentiate between male and female drivers - but I'll not get drawn into any arguments over that particular subject.
The driving test does need looking at and, more importantly perhaps, driver training. Learner drivers are taught to pass the test - they are not taught to drive! If they were taught comprehensively then they would learn to drive on motorways, in adverse weather and at night. Most driving instructors are more than willing to teach these extra skills after the new driver has passed their test - but the majority of new drivers can't be bothered and it is left to the new driver to gain these skills only through experience. This "experience" is often gained the hard way, by getting it wrong and ending up in a ditch (if you're lucky) or in hospital (if you're less fortunate).
I was recently given the opportunity to attend, as an observer, a police-run Bike Safe course which was very enlightening. At one time these courses were open to any motorcyclist of any age but in recent years the police have specifically targetted the 30 to 50 age group. When I asked why this was I was told that those under 30 don't think they have anything to learn and have probably had better training anyway. It's a lot harder, and takes longer, to get a full motorcycle licence than it does to get a full car licence. It is also a lot harder to persuade someone under 30 that they could benefit from additional training - something that I have first hand experience of trying to do, and try and break the image of IAM drivers and riders as a bunch of cloth cap, pipe smoking and slipper-wearing old fogies!
Testing, and re-testing for that mattter, without proper training will only prove one thing - that a driver is compentent to complete the test on the day that they take it. Much like the MOT only proves that a vehicle is roadworthy on the day it's taken to the garage.
Phil West
If at first you don't succeed, use a BIGGER hammer!!
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
25 September 2010
08:0672404Mr West. That was a very good post thank you.
Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
25 September 2010
08:0772405My definition of elderly....anyone older than me....
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
Jan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,895
25 September 2010
08:2472410My definition is
... elderly... 60 plus, old... 75 plus. I was going to say 70 for old , then realised I will be that
in a couple of years so changed my mind.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
25 September 2010
08:4072411I think I have said all I can say about this,so I end by saying it is nomore from me. Thank you.
Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
25 September 2010
08:4072412Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
Guest 686- Registered: 5 May 2009
- Posts: 556
25 September 2010
11:3572440This whole subject needs looking at in detail - but preferably by people who know what they're talking about rather than politicians. The age issue, in relation to the older drivers, is hard to define. I know drivers of 60-something that shouldn't be on the road and others of nearly 90 that would put many of us younger folk to shame.
The bottom line as far as I'm concerned is EDUCATION rather than LEGISLATION.
Phil West
If at first you don't succeed, use a BIGGER hammer!!
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
25 September 2010
12:0472448it is the police not politicians that have opened this debate, they are the best qualified people to judge as they see the effects on the roads every day.
there well may be excellent aged drivers, in which case they will be happy to take a test to prove it.
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
25 September 2010
16:3072464Howard - I am not convinced by that, far from it as we are not a police state.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
25 September 2010
17:2772472at present people are getting a note from their g.p. saying that they are o.k. to drive when many times they are not.
all the old bill are saying is that they should be retested along with drivers who have transgressed.
Guest 643- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 1,321
26 September 2010
09:4372567My late father in law gave up driving when he knew he was not capable of driving safely anymore. He sold his car and used public transport instead and I admired him greatly for doing it. Pity there aren't more like him.
On an amusing note, Whilst looking for something last night I came across my provisional driving licence. I never did learn to drive and won't now because my reflexes aren't fast enough and I have no co-ordination. It runs out when I'm 70! I can just imagine me learning to drive now - they'd have to close the town to all other motorists for their own safety!
There's always a little truth behind every "Just kidding", a little emotion behind every "I don't care" and a little pain behind every "I'm ok".
Weird Granny Slater
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 7 Jun 2017
- Posts: 3,087
If you want to push through a speed limit cut get an elderly driver on your side:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-46912556'Pass the cow dung, my dropsy's killing me' - Heraclitus
Captain Haddock
- Location: Marlinspike Hall
- Registered: 8 Oct 2012
- Posts: 8,166
When my father got old he realised his eyesight was giving him problems with right hand turns.
He changed his route from home to Sainsburys so he spiralled to the store and back with nothing but left hand turns all the way.
Much safer (unless you were some poor sod on a bike on his near-side at one of the junctions!)
TheThinWhiteDuke, Brian Dixon and howard mcsweeney1 like this
"We are living in very strange times, and they are likely to get a lot stranger before we bottom out"
Dr. Hunter S Thompson
Jan Higgins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,895
Weird Granny Slater wrote:
Worth noting that most roads in Norfolk and Suffolk when we lived there were not suitable for safe fast driving. HRH if he must drive should stick to the private roads on the estate at his age.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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Ian Handley
- Location: Norfolk UK
- Registered: 30 Oct 2013
- Posts: 412
Jan Higgins wrote:Worth noting that most roads in Norfolk and Suffolk when we lived there were not suitable for safe fast driving. HRH if he must drive should stick to the private roads on the estate at his age.
I can confirm that the situation here in the South Norfolk / Suffolk area that the roads are still unsuitable for safe fast driving. Anything over 30mph is very unusual; and exciting!
Also regarding yesterday’s collision at Sandringham, I find it very interesting in reports from eye witnesses that state there were ‘many police vehicles within minutes’. The last police vehicle I spotted in our South Norfolk area was before Christmas!
I did however spot three hurtling up The Mall in Central London this morning - Sirens and flashing blues - but I don’t think they were headed Norfolk way. Probably attending some 97 year old doing wheelies round the Victoria Memorial - just a thought!
Brian Dixon and Jan Higgins like this
Ian Handley
Former Operations Controller DHB Terminal Control (1978-1995)
Dover born (1946) & bred, Moved from area in 1999 - family still living in Dover
Marek