Should drivers over 70 hand in their keys ?

[FPV6]

My neighbour is 70 year old accountant and owns a Ferrari F430 and a Maserati Quattroporte good luck taking the keys of him besides his fit as

He looks at my cars and in particular the Sprint and the Old Wog bloke does the pfffft sound while lifting his grey wrickly nose at me with a ill race ya

I crack up laughing every time and state sure Bob no worries can I drive your car

[gossy]

Originally Posted by Seasoned One

my daughter just got her licence, and in the pre test instruction got chipped for "going back through the gears" , the new way apparently is to hold the gear your in until point of stalling and not have clutch depressed for more than 5 seconds...... then stop.... I would have failed

Is that how they teach them now, not to go through the gears?

[Seasoned One]

yep, was dumbstruck, I asked why, and the reply was 'modern brakes are more efficient and cheaper than a gearbox' ...

[GetToTheGone]

My nan who is early 70's took it apone herself to go for a drive with a driving instructor to get an honest opinion on her driving, the instructor was very happy.

[FPV6]

Originally Posted by gossy

Is that how they teach them now, not to go through the gears?

yeah it might inspire performance driving

[mike_nofx]

Originally Posted by Seasoned One

yep, was dumbstruck, I asked why, and the reply was 'modern brakes are more efficient and cheaper than a gearbox' ...

Since when should road rules take into account modern brake pad efficiencies and gearbox replacement costs?

I'd like to see a driving instructor take the trainee down a long steep hill without going through the gears and relying on modern pads.

[vbvbvb088]

I have a friend who is 97 and still driving. He still also drives at night and to places he is not familiar with. I have observed him driving, without his knowledge on a number of occasions. He appears to do everything when he should at the speed he should. He keeps up in traffic and is not a mobile chicane. He knows where he's going and doesn't own a GPS, MP3 player or mobile phone. Consequently he doesn't get distracted by ****ing about with said items constantly - unlike people half his age and younger.
I've seen a number of other elderly have their licenses removed/withdrawn/cancelled. It has very greatly detrimentally effected their quality of life, as has also been the case with radius from home restrictions.
I've often pondered when he should hand his license in and what risk he poses to himself and others. He recently (2 years ago) had a mild heart attack and some stints put in. Yes, he could very sadly drop off the perch tomorrow. That said, there's also a lot of much younger people out there with serious health conditions and other "issues" driving that are also ticking time bombs. The range of GP/Medical Practitioner notifiable (to Transport Authorities) medical conditions, disabilities, addictions, impairments and patient responses to therapies seriously needs to be looked at, this stuff isn't picked up with looking at an individuals birth date.
I think that ALL individuals need to be checked periodically, but without the substantial financial burdens that currently apply for periodic testing (in Victoria). All license renewals should include a refresher test on basic road laws and changes to legislation/rules during the past two renewal periods.

[Sabantien]

I think that at whatever age, it depends on the individual.
I've absolutely seen some elderly folk who should not be driving anymore (but perfectly understand why they don't want to give it up. Autonomous vehicles would be perfect for them!), but quite honestly, 70? Isn't that the new retirement age?

Perhaps medical tests after a certain age to ascertain if you're still able to drive safely, and I think EVERYONE should have mandatory rules testing every 5 years or so.

[Kable72]

Originally Posted by Seasoned One

yep, was dumbstruck, I asked why, and the reply was 'modern brakes are more efficient and cheaper than a gearbox' ...

They fail to realize that going through the gears isn't as much about slowing down as making sure you're ready to apply power if and when required to.

[Ben73]

Driving behind an old bloke who was driving in the middle of two lanes, he indicates left and moves into the left lane almost hitting the gutter in the process. He had two passengers that were in their 30s.
If someone in your family is useless at driving you should let them know for their safety as well as everyone else's.
I think some form of testing should happen after a certain age, but you cannot ban everyone over a certain age. I have seen some people around 80 and still driving pretty well.

[Beastie]

A wise old man once told me...'You will be old one day son'...

[blueoval]

I have nothing against older folk who can actually drive. My grandma is in her mid 80s and still drives quite well for her age. It's the ones that clearly struggle to keep in a straight line and with the flow/speed of traffic who I have issues with.

It's all well and good to say 'they are doing nothing wrong', but when they obstruct the flow of traffic by dilly dallying around, and refuse to accept that their reflexes and general road skills are not on par anymore, plus refuse to give up their driving independence due to their own pride, then it becomes dangerous in my opinion.

Too often I have seen older folk in their cars doing 20km under the speed limit in the right hand lane in 80 or 100km zones, constantly speeding up and tapping the brakes unnecessarily (no one is tailgating btw), turning really slowly or stopping at a corner to turn which causes congestion behind, and refuse to keep left, it creates antagonizing situations for the rest of traffic. It's like they do not have any awareness of other road users at all. Sure, they are within their rights to drive like this and it is up to us to avoid them, but is it smart/safe driving, or are they losing their nerve to drive within the flow of traffic?

I will be the first to hand in my license as soon as the authorities or even my immediate family say I am unfit to drive.

Flame away.....

[dennis]

I would trust a over 70 driver any time over a young ******** in a **** box holden ,even worse if got a P plate driver

[b0son]

Originally Posted by dennis

I would trust a over 70 driver any time over a young ******** in a **** box holden ,even worse if got a P plate driver

Trust them to do what?

I wouldn't trust a young driver to use sound judgement, but I wouldn't trust the 70yo's ability to drive using the best of their judgement. Some people are sharp as a tack into their 70s, others are accidents waiting to happen.

[.:4:.]

Originally Posted by b0son

Trust them to do what?

I wouldn't trust a young driver to use sound judgement, but I wouldn't trust the 70yo's ability to drive using the best of their judgement. Some people are sharp as a tack into their 70s, others are accidents waiting to happen.

I agree. My father in law is 72, and miss judges so many obstacles and traffic conditions it's dead set scary to get in the car with him. My grandpa who is 90, passed his drivers test again and whilst overly careful with things like pulling off side streets into traffic and typically sits atleast 5 below the speed limit, is aware of what's happening in front and behind him. He voluntary won't drive at night or in peak hour traffic even though he is still allowed to. I guess it's all up to the individual as to how fit they are to plow around in a 1500 kg car

[roddy1960]

G'day...At 70 , Primarily get a medical clearance from a doctor to say the driver is physically up to scratch to drive ..Then at 75 this to be done annually ..Simple..
the changing road rules affects us all though..when a significant road regulation changes in the state , every driver gets a notification of that change/s..and for a short time they run an ad on TV as well ..Then if you don't heed the change it's your fault and if you break the rule the responsibility stops with you..Driving tests for young drivers and for elderly drivers have to be under different parameters for a myriad of reasons .So, if an elderly driver can see good enough , hear okay , and are not restricted for movement to check for traffic movement. and the doctor cannot determine any serious degenerative conditions that could affect his/her capabilities.(doctors certificate) then the examiner should ensure the older driver still knows all the genuinely important rules and can move through day to day driving situations safely to KEEP the licence..New young drivers have to EARN the privilege to drive so tougher as we all know it is these days..Medically suitable and inherently shows due care and attention to road rules in general..and let them drive until they can't meet these results..Has to be fair , not draconian ...Cheers Rod..

[olfella]

As far as the medical goes, it should and does occur when a doctor (either your GP or one at the Hospital) thinks you are not fit to drive - any age.
Road rules, well again they can bite anyone. Look at the thread about how to manage roundabouts in Qld (but these rules apply all over), and it is not the old buggers not complying or are confused about them.

[DMXR6T]

I am 67 and just took delivery of my XR6S. Give me a few years to enjoy it! I have to say that I am still way better at reading the road and car control than 90% of drivers that I see. Happy to take driving and medical tests in a few years if need be.

Best option is to ban over 60 Camry drivers. I swear that they have taken over from Volvo drivers both in Australia and Singapore (where I spend 30% of my time). Even my wife, a non car person has made the same observation.

[2011G6E]

Here's an odd thing I'm about to say...

I hope when I'm my mothers age I can still drive as well as she does.

She's just turned 90 a couple of months ago. Still got her licence, still drives a little 1996 Mazda 121 Metro hatchback (a five speed manual yet!), makes sure it's meticulously maintained. Still does the speed limit around town, still does 100 on the highway...just takes a few more rest stops now than she used to. Has to have a medical exam every year for her licence, but everything is still working just fine.
Interestingly, this year the doctor (a woman in her late forties) said to my mother "Maybe you ought to think about giving up your licence", and my mother asked "Why, is there something wrong with my tests?" (I should add, she is very strong in her conviction that as soon as she feels she can no longer do it, she's handing in her licence, no matter what the medical tests say).

The amazing answer was "Oh no, nothing at all wrong...but it's becoming scary out there on the road...so many hoons and idiots, someone overtook another car in front of me on the highway the other day and scared the life out of me. I'm thinking about giving it up myself!".

Now...you can't drive around being scared all the time. There's a difference between being cautious, and being outright scared when you drive. You also can't give up something you are perfectly able to do because other people might happen to sometimes drive like idiots.
This doctor is a woman in the prime of life...she wasn't elderly and infirm, she is an educated professional person who is highly trained in a specialist field. She is not some dithering school girl who is wobbling about on her learners.

And that's scary...someone who, I presume, has been driving for a couple of decades, and she is still frightened to be out there in the traffic.

To me, she is more of a worry on the road than my little old mother....

[Ben73]

Originally Posted by The Beast

A wise old man once told me...'You will be old one day son'...

True. While driving behind on old women doing 30 in a 60 zone recently I said to my Mrs, "If I get this bad at driving, please take my licence off me"

My Grandfather turns 85 in a few days and still drives well.

When he was in his 70 he was still a bit of a leadfoot. That had always been his driving style and he kept that until his late 70's.He then sold his 4L Falcon for a manual Festiva. He now drives a lot calmer, but still goes well with the flow of traffic. But he avoids driving at night or long distance(50kms+)
I have no problems being a passenger in his car, but I also think he is at the age where he should do driving tests every few years. Who knows how long he will keep up the decent driving and if he will be able to identify when he has past his driving days.

[castellan]

The old fella is 86yo he is ok but drives slow and can't go doing long drives, over 200KM would be to much for him and my old girl can't drive without someone showing her where to go as she gets lost and drives to bloody fast.

Yes old 70 + people are not the best drivers, but nor are most people anyway and that's why we have laws for the lowest common denominator with speed limits and such.
A mate had hopeless vision with distance from 20 years old, how many of them are around.

[mike_nofx]

Originally Posted by DMXR6T

I have to say that I am still way better at reading the road and car control than 90% of drivers that I see.

Said every driver, ever.

[40RDT]

Maybe they should be evaluated and tested annually when they get to that age.

I've seen some absolute shockers that drive worse than people on their learners which is a little concerning...no indicating, doing half the speed limit, not stopping at stop signs etc

[barrys123]

I Think the worst are the 18-20 females, usually texting and have no idea of keeping a bit further back in the wet, also pretty fast in shopping centre car parks.
I'm 74 and drove triple road trains up until I retired and still believe I am a above average driver and am not looking forward to the day I have to stop.
My mother handed her licence in at 92 at the request of her family, and always said that was the day she lost her independence, but she should have handed it in two years early.
And for those who are still young and now say they will hand theirs in when they feel they can't handle a vehicle properly, we will wait see as it would be one of the hardest decisions you will ever make.

[Junkyard-Dog]

Anyone that struggles to control a vehicle should have their license revoked. Regardless of age. To be totally honest when I was a 19 I dated a girl that simply should never be allowed behind the wheel and was astonished when she was given her P plates after failing two of her tests.

That's the system though, you can't say anything against it or the political correctness crowd will choke on their collective Latte and call you a bigot.

[sprintman1]

Originally Posted by Daz290

The only real problem I have with elderly drivers is the insistence on driving 15-20k under the speed limit!!!

We had an elderly driver take out the local Chinese restaurant in Thornton NSW a couple of months ago. Hit the accelerator in the car park, flattened two bollards and landed in the restaurant. Luckily no-one was in the restaurant or happened to be walking past.

Age of driver if known?

[Express]

Originally Posted by 40RDT

Maybe they should be evaluated and tested annually when they get to that age.

I've seen some absolute shockers that drive worse than people on their learners which is a little concerning...no indicating, doing half the speed limit, not stopping at stop signs etc

I followed a driver doing something very similar to this yesterday.

No indictors used for 3 intersections over about 5 kilometre stretch, moving around on the road, having a seriously hard time negotiating 2 roundabouts and driving between 45 and 50 in a 60 zone.

It was a tradie’s Ute with ‘P’ plates and a young fellow behind the wheel with a phone in his right hand held up to his ear.

[40RDT]

Originally Posted by Express

I followed a driver doing something very similar to this yesterday.

No indictors used for 3 intersections over about 5 kilometre stretch, moving around on the road, having a seriously hard time negotiating 2 roundabouts and driving between 45 and 50 in a 60 zone.

It was a tradie’s Ute with ‘P’ plates and a young fellow behind the wheel with a phone in his right hand held up to his ear.

That's pretty bad, the dude should know better than to talk on the phone while trying to drive.

Its clearly a huge distraction if you cant do simple things like using indicators, keeping the car straight etc

[Express]

Originally Posted by 40RDT

That's pretty bad, the dude should know better than to talk on the phone while trying to drive.

Its clearly a huge distraction if you cant do simple things like using indicators, keeping the car straight etc

It's a reasonably common sight and I would say most of the members here would have seen similar poor car control and slow driving many times by people with one hand on the wheel and the other holding a phone.

Without any statistics to back it up I'll go out on a limb and say the unsafe practice of holding phones while driving is more of a younger or middle aged driver phenomenon than that of elderly drivers.

[Sox]

My father is 76 and still goes alright.
He has his moments, but who doesn't?

We did a trip half way around the block last year, I drove my car and caravan with wifey, and my folks went with their car and caravan.
Dad did really well, over 10,000k's in 6 1/2 weeks and no one's dead, and no extra dents on the car.

Can't ask for much more than that, and plenty younger folk might not have done as well as he did.

I reckon we should all just be more tolerant of everything on the road, old, young, bicycles, trucks, taxis, etc.
We're human, and we make mistakes...