The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #87594   Message #1637324
Posted By: Mo the caller
30-Dec-05 - 09:05 AM
Thread Name: BS: Older Drivers are Killers
Subject: RE: BS: Older Drivers are Killers
I am 62. My car has been damaged twice in the last few years. Once in slow, stop-start traffic by young lad "sorry, I dropped my cigarette" who ran into the back of me.
The other time we were in a house, heard a bang, and found that my parked car had been hit so hard that it was undriveable. We invited the driver (in his seventies I'd guess) into the house to take his details, it became obvious the he was more confused than just from the bump. He had difficulty remembering his present address. We fetched his wife, who said he had had other accidents recently.
Afterwards I felt concerned enough to give the police the details, his insurance company also knows what is happening but he is still seen driving in the area.
It can be hard to know when to give up. People who suffer heart problems can be confused at times, OK others.
And being without a car when too old to walk to the shops is not good.
Maybe the supermarkets could work out some scheme to deliver cheaply to all the OAPs in certain area on a particular day.
My car is insured by Saga, who stress the safety of careful older drivers, maybe my renewal form should have some questions, or suggestions as to the alternatives to driving, when the time comes to stop.
The UK system where your own GP signs the form to say you are fit to drive is dodgy. It would damage his relationship with you and he knows how you need to drive.
Dont know the answer, maybe we should all ride bikes and save the planet.