It has always amazed me that over 75s are assumed to be okay to driver a lethal weapon without any form of compulsory retest. Anyone requiring further evidence of the inadequacies of the present system for monitoring old drivers should read THIS STORY.
Whilst young drivers are supposedly more likely to have accidents (based on miles driven), older drivers are far more likely to have accidents based on journeys made. Far too many times in my life I have seen old drivers weaving along a road, doing 20mph in 50 mph zones or driving straight through traffic lights or pulling out at roundabouts without any awareness of other drivers. yes, other drivers do this, but the proportion of alder drivers who do this is much higher.
I am not suggesting all people over the age of 75 are not fit to drive, far from it, but there are many who are not.
How many people have to die before the government, any government will take serious action to ensure that over 75's are fit and competent drivers.
Showing posts with label old age. Show all posts
Showing posts with label old age. Show all posts
5/22/2007
Compulsory re-tests for over 70's ? Makes perfect sense to me
Watching comedienne Jo Brand presenting the ITV programme "Driving Me Crazy", I couldn't help but agree with her view that over 80's should be compulsorily re-tested in order to get their driving license.
It is a view I have held personally for some time, but one statistic that Jo Brand reported is the single most important reason of the lot.
"Over 70's have more accidents per mile driven than any other age group, including teenagers"
It's a fact that the man from Age Concern chose to ignore and indeed, he lied by claiming that over 70's were the safest drivers, which made any other comments he made seem ridiculous.
I don't want to take pensioners licenses away and I don't want to restrict their freedom. but if a teenager, who is required to pass a test at 17 in order to get in to a car, and let's not forget that a car is a dangerous weapon, then why should a pensioner be assumed to be safe at 80, 90 or even 100 to drive a car without any kind of test to prove they are up to the task ?
It is a view I have held personally for some time, but one statistic that Jo Brand reported is the single most important reason of the lot.
"Over 70's have more accidents per mile driven than any other age group, including teenagers"
It's a fact that the man from Age Concern chose to ignore and indeed, he lied by claiming that over 70's were the safest drivers, which made any other comments he made seem ridiculous.
I don't want to take pensioners licenses away and I don't want to restrict their freedom. but if a teenager, who is required to pass a test at 17 in order to get in to a car, and let's not forget that a car is a dangerous weapon, then why should a pensioner be assumed to be safe at 80, 90 or even 100 to drive a car without any kind of test to prove they are up to the task ?
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