Aged discrmintaion against older drivers?

[SteveJH]

There are actually rules and restrictions in place for people suffering from epilepsy and when they are and are not eligible for a license.

http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/licensing/...andhealth.html
http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/licensing/...als/index.html
http://www.nevdgp.org.au/info/epilep...o/driving.html

This is probably the key document for assessing whether someone is fit to drive in Australia or New Zealand:
Assessing Fitness to Drive

[Auslandau]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

I came so close to having an old lady crash into me last week. 2 lanes turning right, I was on the inside, and as we go around the corner she steers straight into my lane. I was literally waiting for the crunch.

Drove past her and she was absolutely oblivious to what had just happened. Time to give it up lady. They think they are safe drivers because they drive 40 in a 60 zone but thats pointless if you can't even drive in a straight line properly.

Just a couple of weeks ago I was nearly side swiped by a bloke who decided that it was more fun to have chats with his mates rather than concentrate on driving. When I blew my horn just as a "Hey ... there is a car next to you" I got a look of disgust and a finger. Then he laughed and drove off very aggressively at a great rate of knots. I would have guessed he was about 20 but not P's showing.

Moral of the story ...... don't need to be old to be a fool on the road

Yes, agree that there are some that shouldn't drive but it is across the board. Fortunately you can have a doctor decide for someone to give up their license ..... then there is the absolute majority of the population who will only have it taken away when they do some serious damage because a doctor cannot diagnose stupidity.

Re testing, yes ..... but there are some 70 plus drivers I would rather have drive me around than some that are 50 years younger!

[GTP owner]

I don't see it as age discrimination. Those below 22 have plenty to complain about being targeted for being young, which also correlates with an inreased risk of crashing and being injured in motor vehicles.
As for the oldies, the stats are a bit more complex: Per driver they are less likely to crash and be killed/injured (due to travelling less distance, travelling during the day, and on familiar roads). However per kilometer travelled they are MORE likely to be involved in a crash, especially at intersections, or where they have to turn across oncoming traffic, or at night. (Per km over 80 year olds are more dangerous than P platers).
To make matters worse, when an oldie has a crash, they are more likely to be seriously injured or killed than for an equivalent younger person.
Discrimination? Get over it sunshine.

[LTDHO]

You would be amazed how many accidents the older drivers have. A lot of the time it's pressing down hard on the accelerator to stop. True. Shooting across residential streets into the opposite fence.

Two weeks ago I nearly had the front taken off the XF because an elderly woman did feel the need to giveway at a sign, she had no idea that she had done it. I bet she is 1st to say how bad 'Hoons' are and how all the years of experience make her safe behind the wheel.

[aussie muscle]

Originally Posted by mik

10% legally blind, that`s pretty scarey.

many more are blind for other reasons, like lack of attention.

My mother lost her license because of her cataracts, so aged testing is a good idea, as she wanted to keep driving.

[Ben73]

My missus' friend has epilepsy. She is about 20 and lost her licence due to her condition.
Apparently she has to go a certain amount of time without having a seizure before she can get it back.
So it's not just old people with conditions losing their licence. So people need to get over this 'age discrimination' thing. As others said young drivers have been 'discriminated' against for years.
Insurance company says I have to pay more for insurance then my mom even though I have never had a claim but she has. AGE DISCRIMINATION

I was driving behind an old guy one arvo. He was driving in the middle of 2 lanes 20 below the speed limit. Blast of the horn did nothing. He eventually put his left indicator on and moved into the left lane. His passenger was about 35 and smiled like a smart *** at me when I passed them.
When you get that bad you can't do the basics you should not be on the road.
There were 2 younger adults in this old guys car. I'm wondering why he was actually driving assuming the others had licences.

[GCRXR6]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

I came so close to having an old lady crash into me last week. 2 lanes turning right, I was on the inside, and as we go around the corner she steers straight into my lane. I was literally waiting for the crunch.

Drove past her and she was absolutely oblivious to what had just happened. Time to give it up lady. They think they are safe drivers because they drive 40 in a 60 zone but thats pointless if you can't even drive in a straight line properly.

Yeah Boss ... I've had a moron 30 years my junior do that to me ... but she was a younger sheila ... must be safe hey?

[GCRXR6]

Originally Posted by Neale

Theres been age discrimination against younger drivers for years. Try being 18 driving & insuring a V8

Come on Neale .. let up on that crap. We were all 18 once ... hell I was less than a minute old once

[peterr]

My father in law was been treated for cancer some few years ago, he was also on some very strong pain tablets. His partner told us 'we were at the traffic lights and we just sat there he did not know the lights were green' we do not know how many other things happened.I rang the RTA who told me his Dr would have to suggest to him not to drive, yes suggest !! I rang his Dr who was most reluctant to do anything.My father would drive over the gutter going around the corner,he beached the car once, he was for ever replacing lenses.There is 'no you can not drive any more' rules it appears, I am approaching my 60th end of this year and 'think' I can still drive as good as i did when i was younger but in reality can I?

[Rodge]

Annual or bi-annual testing for drivers once they hit 70 seems like a fair balance between road-user's rights to me.

In N.Z. all that's required is a bi-annual eyesight test and doctor's opinion once you hit 80, well if you've known your doctor all your life he's going to look after you isn't he...can we really rely on one's own family doctor to be completly impartial ?????

I had a similar experience to BossXR8 a few months back with an old guy coming at me on the wrong side of the road. Shook me up pretty bad.

My Dad is 88 and sadly has almost completly lost his marbles and most times doesn't even know who I am when I visit him in the dementia ward at the old folks home he's at but still thinks he's fine to drive...my Mum's coming up 83 and her accident rate of minor dings and so on at the shopping mall is getting a bit disturbing... not sure if she's really up to it or not, I think so but wouldn't an indpendent test be a good thing !!

[blackf6]

I have to get a medical every 12 months to drive a bulk dangerous goods vehicle. My grandma still drives now and she is over 90!

[GCRXR6]

Originally Posted by teak81

I have to get a medical every 12 months to drive a bulk dangerous goods vehicle. My grandma still drives now and she is over 90!

I can appreciate that we need medicals for certain industries, although I'm not sure if we need them every 12 months. I definitely believe Doctors should be held acountable for their inaction. There are younger people who should not be driving as there are older people who should not drive. We need to accept that some do loose functional ability as they age, but, you can't lump all older people into the same basket.

I'm glad your grandma still drives ... so long as she is able to do so safely.

As has been suggested in an earlier response, it is not necessary to drive at the speed limit. You should have the ability to drive at the seed limit, but there is no law that states that you must. You should also have the manners to move over when safe to do so, so as not to hold up trafic.

We all need to get along on the roads and that means driving with due care and accepting that as perfect as you are, you must recognise that the next driver does not have your expert ability. That's how we avoid accidents.

[AndrewR_AUII]

46, Diabetic and on insulin.

Have to have medical and eye assessment every 12 months, its now a condition of my licence that I check my blood glucose level before I drive.
Have been upfront about it, but specialist was required to notify Dept transport when I went on insulin.

Another condition is that I wear glasses when driving...this appeared simply because I was wearing them when I walked in to renew my licence one year...fair enough, I do need them but simply by wearing them when renewing my licence the condition was added to my licence..

[flappist]

Wouldn't it be scary if they took posting on AFF into account when judging whether or not you are just too stupid to hold a drivers license..........

[SEZ213]

Originally Posted by Ben73

My missus' friend has epilepsy. She is about 20 and lost her licence due to her condition.
Apparently she has to go a certain amount of time without having a seizure before she can get it back.
So it's not just old people with conditions losing their licence. So people need to get over this 'age discrimination' thing. As others said young drivers have been 'discriminated' against for years.

Two years from what I've been told...that doesn't seem to stop my neighbour however. I picked her up off her floor after she had a seizure, she refused an ambulance and was driving her car the next day, with her 8 year old son in the passenger seat...apparently, I can't do anything about it though...she just keeps driving...

Mandatory medicals should be required. They can call it whatever they want...but the truth is as we age, our body doesn't stay as it was when we were 20. I can understage that indepence is important for everyone, particularly as they age- but if my 'independence' was putting others at risk, I'd be the first to hand it in.

[DRU842]

The problem revolves around driving being perceived as a right rather than a privilege.
Regularly mandatory testing & medical certification, national licensing etc would all assist by improving attitude & care.
The authorities need to enforce existing laws before they look at adding new one - having exceptions makes it virtually impossible to police.

[svo supporter]

Mates misses has epilepsy and stil has her drivers licence....She is aware of the triggers of the attacks (being in her 40's) so it doesn't effect her driving....Oh and yes, the licencing dept has cleared her to hold a drivers licence.

[eyes87]

Probably gonna get flamed for this.

My personal opinion is medical tests every five years for everyone. However once you get to 60 you have to do it yearly.

My nan is 68 I think. I can't wait until she has to resit her driving test. She is absolutely dreadful. She just has no awareness of anything around her. Forgets where she's driving. That sort of stuff. We've tried to tell her she can't drive but she carries on saying she's fine.

[svo supporter]

Talk about medical tests....What do they test for????? Heart...Can have a heart attack at anytime...Eye site test....Fully agree with that..

What other medical tests should they do to keep the average Joe Blow safe on the road?

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by svo supporter

Talk about medical tests....What do they test for?????

Hows this

[Franco Cozzo]

I've got a 75 year old workmate who drinks and drives, doesn't matter what you tell him, it doesn't stop him. He had 4 cans of VB before he left, and took another 3 to have in the car on the way home.

[flappist]

Originally Posted by Big Damo

I've got a 75 year old workmate who drinks and drives, doesn't matter what you tell him, it doesn't stop him. He had 4 cans of VB before he left, and took another 3 to have in the car on the way home.

75 years old and drink drives. No can't be true, he would have been killed 10000 times by that age.......unless of course if he always drove at 5km/h below the speed limit which would make him a textbook safe driver.....

[AndrewR_AUII]

Like many aspects of driving, it comes down to attitude - in this case taking some responsibility for one's medical care which includes getting regular checks.

[b0son]

Originally Posted by BHDOGS

Equal opportunity advocates describe the practice as discriminatory.

Its only discriminatory if older drivers are as physically/medically capable of driving a car as younger drivers.

They arent. Where's the discrimination?

[PlukaDuck]

I was going to write something here but i cant remember what now....
maybe i am 60 and got alzhiemers or maybe i am 25 and tripping of my head while i am texting where the next rave party is.

Either way i reckon i can still drive a car........

[MWTB]

Originally Posted by PlukaDuck

I was going to write something here but i cant remember what now....
maybe i am 60 and got alzhiemers or maybe i am 25 and tripping of my head while i am texting where the next rave party is.

Either way i reckon i can still drive a car........

Drugs are bad, mmkay.

[burnz]

i know a couple of people in their twentys who suffer from epilepsy, yet never disclosed on their licence.

[flappist]

Originally Posted by burnz

i know a couple of people in their twentys who suffer from epilepsy, yet never disclosed on their licence.

That is rather scary. Do they realise or even care that should they have a woopsy and cause damage or even death that they will be uninsured and possibly face a jail term?

[Kevaclone]

Originally Posted by LTDHO

You would be amazed how many accidents the older drivers have. A lot of the time it's pressing down hard on the accelerator to stop. True. Shooting across residential streets into the opposite fence.

Had my old BA smashed into by some old coote who backed out of his driveway and hit the brakes, only it wasn't the brakes, He lived right across the road from a school(where we were parked as we attended for some school matters, Imagine if he had done this at 3PM

Originally Posted by LTDHO

Two weeks ago I nearly had the front taken off the XF because an elderly woman did feel the need to giveway at a sign, she had no idea that she had done it. I bet she is 1st to say how bad 'Hoons' are and how all the years of experience make her safe behind the wheel.

My wife was almost run over by a local old duck in a red Hillman Hunter(She'd owned it for as long as I have been living here, 1972) when she side swiped a row of parked cars and just kept driving

I was doing some work a few months ago with an old guy who had been driving trucks all his life, he was 70 and after sitting in the passenger seat with him I'd say his driving days are over, never got a clean gearshift, drifted over lanes, mounted the kerb with the trailer tyres and couldn't back up straight, many attempts to reverse into some unloading lanes

Bribie Island has(or used to have, not sure if it's still in place) an "Island only" license for the old codgers who live there, as long as they don't cross the bridge. It was introduced back when mostly retirees lived there. But now Bribie has a couple of schools with thousands of children attending each of them, hardly mostly just retirees living there these days

My own father who is now 74 is constantly running into things with his car, his spacial awareness is almost nonexistent and I fear the day he cuts across an intersection and gets t-boned or hits a pedestrian he didn't see

There was a kufuffle a few years ago around here when all the oldies were "Fed Up With Hoons" and lobbied until we got a local resident Police Beat Officer, sure Hooning slowed up in the town, then of course once that workload eased the Copper started to focus on other things, like the large number of old cootes driving home from the bowls club pi$$ed as parrots, after he nailed almost all the members there was a huge outcry and the lobbying started to have the local Police Beat closed down.

I believe anyone over 70 should also have to take an actual practical driving test, and medicals start at 50, Medicals don't bother me as I have to have one every 3 years to keep my DG license along with Company requirements for medical fitness

[GCRXR6]

Well, in theory, it would be nice to have all "Old Coost" do a medical every year. But, knowing that the medical system is now booked out with both genuine sick people and hypochondriacs, when do we peopose to fit in these medicals. Just a thought.