Didn't see, or didn't look?

[scumdog]

Making it the Dr's decision to remove a drivers license, when that Dr will automatically also consider the affect on the patent's mental health, social interactions etc, is a bit unfair on the Dr a

Still, the Dr also has to consider the risk to other road users too (himself included)

BTW: Have a look into the unstreamlined process to revoke the licence of an elderly driver because a family member is 'worried about them'. (and having other family members with a vested interest in 'Pops' keeping his licence makes the whole thing even more complicated)

[Daffyd]

Taking the licence off drivers doesn't help. Look at the old man that was killed driving in the wrong direction on the Northern motorway in Auckland last year. He had his licence taken 2 years ago, but kept driving. His family begged them to impound his car to no avail.

[oneofsix]

Still, the Dr also has to consider the risk to other road users too (himself included)

BTW: Have a look into the unstreamlined process to revoke the licence of an elderly driver because a family member is 'worried about them'. (and having other family members with a vested interest in 'Pops' keeping his licence makes the whole thing even more complicated)

Taking the licence off drivers doesn't help. Look at the old man that was killed driving in the wrong direction on the Northern motorway in Auckland last year. He had his licence taken 2 years ago, but kept driving. His family begged them to impound his car to no avail.

Both true but can't help but think that failing a license test is going to be more likely accepted as "proof" they are too old to drive than just accepting another person's "opinion".

[scumdog]

Both true but can't help but think that failing a license test is going to be more likely accepted as "proof" they are too old to drive than just accepting another person's "opinion".

Maybe - but the age-related mental health of those past safe driving can mean their attitude is:"I don't care a stuff - I'm still driving"
Even getting two cars impounded didn't stuff one of them down here.

[oneofsix]

Maybe - but the age-related mental health of those past safe driving can mean their attitude is:"I don't care a stuff - I'm still driving"
Even getting two cars impounded didn't stuff one of them down here.

I understand that car impounding doesn't work so why do we expect it to with the young and drunks?
But do you see how even the impounding of their cars is someone saying you are too old or mental to drive as oposed to failing a test saying you can't drive - you failed. Why do you think they used to complain so much about the oldies test being too hard even though it was easier than the new drivers test. Now if they had to do the standard learner or standard full, as the full is now easier than the restricted, then there is no excuse, it is the oldies failure

[danchop]

And their doctor has to agree they are still competent to drive - well at least down here that's the case.

And the med cert can be bloody hard to get if eyes, heart etc are not up to sctratch.

A big problem is oldies driving an automatic.

They don't move their feet on and off the pedals properly.

And one day their right foot slips off the brake pedal onto the gas pedal - and the car suddenly 'takes off' until they hit something.

And in a lot of cases when that first lunge forward happens they slam their foot down even harder onto what they still think is the brake pedal - and the car goes mental until it crashes.

And often afterwards they will swear the whole time they were pushing on the brake pedal as hard as they could "but the car wouldn't stop, it just took off on me"

exactly how my 89 year old mum crashed last year,albeit in a shopping carpark.i dont think she should be driving,theyve lost thier alertness

[Katman]

As to the brake vs Accelerator thing I believe the manufacturers are the most guilty. I have had several experiences of this. If you press both the accelerator wins, safety logic says the brake should win but find a clear road and try it. Therefore the oldie doesn't quite move their foot enough and catches both pedals, they don't even feel the accelerator is caught as it moves much easier than the brake so of course they press harder to try and stop thereby applying more accelerator at the same time. Why the F governments allow and manufacturers build automatics like that is beyond me and now they are making automatic bikes, wonder if they will have the same problem. BTW before teaching someone to drive in an automatic make sure you explain that it isn't a pedal per foot or else they wont stop when you expect them to.

Clearly you've never heard of stall testing a torque converter.

[scumdog]

I understand that car impounding doesn't work so why do we expect it to with the young and drunks?

A few reasons:
They are too senile to comprehend
Their attitude is :'Argh, I haven't that long to live so I don't care'.
They have enough dollars to just go out and buy another car

[Subike]

When I finally cant get me leg ova me bike, I will get it mounted on a trailer, then my son can tow me everywhere, AKA the TV add....
Problem solved!

[willytheekid]

...Even getting two cars impounded didn't stuff one of them down here.

...Knee cap them??

or!...we could provide a free or affordable!, accessable transport system like trains & buses for old people such as this and many others!...kinda like we used to have?...well...before our Gov't sold most of them off...for a quick profit! (funny...theres that profit word again huh)

[oneofsix]

When I finally cant get me leg ova me bike, I will get it mounted on a trailer, then my son can tow me everywhere, AKA the TV add....
Problem solved!

Get a Bergman or a Silverwing instead, then you don't have to get your leg ova :lol Silver haired on a Silverwing

[Subike]

Get a Bergman or a Silverwing instead, then you don't have to get your leg ova :lol Silver haired on a Silverwing

Thats enough abuse out of you.....really.....would look so cool, black leathers,,,,,,95yrs old......and the 18yr old snatch on the back?

[oneofsix]

Thats enough abuse out of you.....really.....would look so cool, black leathers,,,,,,95yrs old......and the 18yr old snatch on the back?

well the family joke is a Goldwing for my retirement, the Mrs likes the idea of the comfy pillion seat.

[Rhys]

...Knee cap them??

or!...we could provide a free or affordable!, accessable transport system like trains & buses for old people such as this and many others!...kinda like we used to have?...well...before our Gov't sold most of them off...for a quick profit! (funny...theres that profit word again huh)

Maybe the MPs could give all people over the age of 65 a card that gives them a huge discount, we could call it a gold card !

[Naki Rat]

We arranged for my 78 year old Mum to stop driving 18 months back. Kept getting lost at night when leaving the occasional function and just drove until she recognised landmarks to guide her home. She still thinks that driving is a possibility if we hadn't sold her car! We have arranged for her to have a half price taxi coupon system but for those suggesting bus/train or similar that can be a recipe for disaster for a memory challenged person (i.e. risk of getting lost).

The amount of dementia cases looming is a national (and international) nightmare and driving is far from the only problem it presents. The amount of time required to keep a parent of declining mental capabilities safe and well is substantial and it seems every second person of our age group (50s) is dealing with similar situations. The effects on productivity and obviously the health system must be noticeable on a national scale, and growing