Older driver testing 'won't cut toll'

[Electric]

My car has just come back from the panel beaters after an old guy ran a red light and hit it, and despite the ploice telling him they had 4 independant witnesses (from other cars that stopped) saying we had a green light, he still said his light was green!!!!

Latter speaking to a lady at work, she said she drove her elderly mothers car and all the mirrors were either pointed at the clouds or the headlining. Combined with the fact that her mother could not turn her neck, meant she drove with absolutely no idea who or what was behind her.....

Yes pollies tell us sppeding the the root of all evil.....what a crock.

See quote bellow... taken from Drive.com.au

http://drive.com.au/Editorial/Articl...rticleID=11876

Fitness-to-drive studies in Australia and overseas have repeatedly shown that age-based mandatory tests are ineffective in recognising at-risk drivers, Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC) senior research fellow Judith Charlton said.

Older drivers were a relatively small problem on Australian roads compared to other groups, and serious crashes involving older drivers had more to do with their frailty than their ability.

"There is simply no evidence that mandatory age-based assessment works," Dr Charlton said.

The comments come as the NSW government considers bringing forward the age of annual testing for older drivers from 80 to 75.

The call for changes in age-based testing follows an accident involving five-year-old burns victim Sophie Delezio, who this month was seriously injured when a car driven by an 80-year-old man struck her pram as her carer pushed it on a pedestrian crossing.

In December 2003, Sophie was badly burned and injured when she was trapped under a car driven by a 69-year-old man that ploughed into her Sydney childcare centre.

NSW, Tasmania, WA and SA have stringent medical examinations and on-road testing for older drivers in specific age groups. Victoria and NT have none. Queensland and the ACT require medical exams only.

Another MUARC senior research fellow, Jim Langford, said the centre preferred its Austroads licensing model to mandatory testing.

The model includes the establishment of community sources - such as doctors, relatives, friends and police - to alert state traffic authorities of poor driving by older motorists, he said.

"A key component of the model is that only older (and other) drivers considered to be at risk need to be assessed - and can therefore be tested in greater detail," he said.

"Mandatory assessment can mean older people need to walk to maintain mobility and independence if they lose or, more likely, surrender their licence, and this can actually increase their overall accident risk.


"And stopping driving can result not just in access difficulties but also in considerable distress and a lowering of self-esteem and dignity."

[PH47]

I drive an hour each way to work and back, 7 days a week.. and I can honestly say about 80% of the bad driving I see is elderly drivers..

Not looking before merging, not giving way at roundabouts, going through red lights, pulling out from parking spots without looking, going out of their lanes, etc.

I'm more than happy for tougher rules to get your license in the first place, but I also think that elderly driver testing is just as important!

Life is a circle.. as we get older we lose coordination, strength, eyesight, reaction, etc.. just as we gained it all when we're younger.. therefore licensing needs to take this into account!

[nobbystang]

I believe it should be up to a Doctor to test. Make it a smaller license period like 2-3 years and renewal must be accompanied bya medical certificate to state the applicant is able to adequately control a motor vehicle, ie vision and reflexes are still good.

When i was driving an hour to work everyday through sydney the worst drivers on the road were definately the ones on mobiles, half of them had no idea were they were.

[[Tonko]]

its funny that this thread comes up today as a mate of mine was just driving normally in his HR when an old couple in a camry (surprise surprise) pulled out straight in front of him and he hit them at about 50km/h. they did not look or give way, i am all for mandatory age testing...

[TheSneakiness]

I had an elderly person beep at me because I entered a roundabout in front of her, which is my fault, but how was I to know that she was doing a 180° on this roundabout with absolutely no indicators on...

She could've driven over it as far as she was concerned.

[gozza]

i was about 250+ meters from a stop light that i knew would go green so i kept going at 50kph(right lane of 3)...i get about 50 meters from the lights(theve already turned green a few seconds ago) and an old coot pulls out from the middle lane into the right.....i was heading straight towards his door as he was nearly horizonatal pulling out of his lane.......i locked up for about 10 meters and ended up sideways nearly on the other side...nearly into a damn light post....lucky for a turning bay otherwise id be a goner


i chased the idiot down and blocked him off lol.....his wife started screaming it was a mistake...it was an accident.....im like you nearly could have had your husband killed in that incident lady.....take more care ya bloody idiots

[AU1FORME]

Originally Posted by PH47

I drive an hour each way to work and back, 7 days a week.. and I can honestly say about 80% of the bad driving I see is elderly drivers..

Not looking before merging, not giving way at roundabouts, going through red lights, pulling out from parking spots without looking, going out of their lanes, etc.

I'm more than happy for tougher rules to get your license in the first place, but I also think that elderly driver testing is just as important!

Life is a circle.. as we get older we lose coordination, strength, eyesight, reaction, etc.. just as we gained it all when we're younger.. therefore licensing needs to take this into account!

I dont want to offend or nothing but that is "TOTAL RUBBISH"

[Zetec20]

nah i have to agree i see some idiot younger drivers on the road (i'm one of them now and then) but most oldeer people really have no idea what's going on around them, when i leave work on saturdays i drive in fear past the bingo hall because any one of those cars could lunge out on the road into the path of my baby

[deesun]

I believe 75 is a better age for mandatory testing. Although everyone is different I believe that at that age its time. Although I also believe in mandatory retesting of ALL licence holders every 7-10 years,even if its only the road rules. And face to face tests not these multiple guess computer jobs.

[LTDHO]

I agree 100% that at 65 you should resit your licence. If your are 65 and can still safely drive then you will not have a problem in getting your licence. I know that alot of accidents occure from 65+ and they always blame someone else!
"I've been driving long enough" "I have alot more experience" blah blah, they are dangerous.

[TheSneakiness]

Just as a guide with this....

The guy who lives next door to me is 92. He has an immaculate XD wagon, and he can drive very well. Now, I believe any person from the age of 75 should have a yearly test to gauge if they are still capable of driving.

[Keepleft]

NSW from age 80 we require a medical exam. From 85 years and above we require a medical exam and yearly driving test.

License conditions can be imposed. Hours, region etc.

[Bossxr8]

Something has to be done about some older drivers. I passed an old guy driving a Mondeo who was so out of it he couldn't even sit in his lane. He kept driving half into the next lane and then back and forwards between the lanes for kms on end. He looked like he was over 80. When you get that bad they should be forced off the road. The problem is the pollies don't want to target old people as they need their votes.

[Barry_v]

You dont hear about old people wrapping themselves around trees doing 180 on a saturday night though.

they probably have more accidents but at least they're not moving all that fast.

[The Dok]

Originally Posted by AU1FORME

I dont want to offend or nothing but that is "TOTAL RUBBISH"

I actually thought there were some good points raised in that post, most of which I agree with!!! Just which part of it do you deem "Total Rubbish"??? It would be helpful to actually comment about what you disagree with rather than post a narrow minded point of view that in no way adds to this thread. :jab:

For the record, in Victoria, anyone who has concerns about (a specific) "elderly driver" can contact (via mail), the Vic Roads "medical review board" to have them assess the suitability of that person holding a driving licence, I have had the unfortunate task of contacting them recently to assess an elderly neighbour. :

[Zephyr]

I'm 63 turning 64 in a few months, there are a lot of bad drivers my age on our roads. They are worst when they think they are good drivers. I'm sure they were 45 years ago, but roads and cars have changed and the drivers haven't.

Howerver I am of the same opinion that you should do a test to get off your P's.

[T3ts50]

My girlfirends Grandpa is hanging up his keys after an error of judgment which nearly caused an accident. I know we all acn have an erro of judgment but he has no idea of how it happended so thats why he is giving up.

also how many people have nearly ran up the of an old person driving on the freeway and they come on from the onramp doing 60 kay an hour.

[pertuan]

Originally Posted by T3ts50

also how many people have nearly ran up the of an old person driving on the freeway and they come on from the onramp doing 60 kay an hour.

I havent had that... BUT... I have nearly ran up the rear end of an elderly driver ON the onramp as he/she pulled up to a stop with the indicator on waiting for a gap in the traffic as if they were turning right into a normal road.

[AWD Chaser]

Anyone see that South Park episode of bad elderly dirvers? lol - funny stuff!

I agree that alot of elderly drivers don't have a clue what going on outside the car.. plus they don't listen. I tried to tell me Father-in-Law that he has to give way to merging traffic coming into a freeway (Canberra).... he tried to tell me different and he knew better becuase he has been driving coaches for 20+ years... blah blah blah... that response makes me worry even more...

[coyote]

Originally Posted by Zephyr

Howerver I am of the same opinion that you should do a test to get off your P's.

Very valid point, In fact I would like to see mandantory retesting every 5 years regardless of age. Just consider this when some folk went for their licence there were No roundabouts I hate to think of the rule changes that have been made since I got for my licence in 82

On a more humerous note I was talking to a mate about this issue and he recalled his grandmother stating that in 60 years of driving she had never been in an accident, apprantly he quipped "but how many have you caused" bet he did it quietly, most grannies I know would clip someone over the ears for a comment like that.

[MO]

There is compulsory age testing in all states of OZ and its with a Doc NOT the RTA/whoever.

The system needs a big overhaul asap.

[normxb]

Along with other family members , I was guilty dad getting knocked back on his medical test for his licence when he was 80. (we all felt bad for doing this , but was necessary)

On "one" drive with him he went through a round-a-bout "left lane entry , right lane in the middle , left lane exit" , through a red light , through a stop sign , and didn't give way at a "T" junction .
Remember ALL this in a 20 minute drive.

He was very upset about losing his licence , (which I can understand) he had not had an accident in 60 years driving , but how would he have felt if he took someones life , and how SOON would that have been.....we felt we must do something about it. He just couldn't give up his keys .

Yet my wifes father went for a drive in his early 70's , came home , threw the keys on the table and said " that's it , I don't feel safe anymore". He KNEW the time was right.
Mum has a friend who is 92 , & I would take a ride with her anyday , and would be better than lot's of "p" platers.

It's a very hard decision as to "who should drive & who shouldn't" , family members probably have the best Idea when a parent shouldn't drive anymore , but believe me , it's a very hard & soul destroying decision to make.

[BroncoFanCam]

Originally Posted by nobbystang

I believe it should be up to a Doctor to test. Make it a smaller license period like 2-3 years and renewal must be accompanied bya medical certificate to state the applicant is able to adequately control a motor vehicle, ie vision and reflexes are still good.

When i was driving an hour to work everyday through sydney the worst drivers on the road were definately the ones on mobiles, half of them had no idea were they were.

I agree 100%, the only difference I would make is Mandatory Driving tests, at every license renewal (which of course are at shorter intervals).

A doctor is a good start, but you can't really tell what they are going to do until they are behind the wheel.

[Van D]

Originally Posted by Electric

Latter speaking to a lady at work, she said she drove her elderly mothers car and all the mirrors were either pointed at the clouds or the headlining. Combined with the fact that her mother could not turn her neck, meant she drove with absolutely no idea who or what was behind her.....

No offence dude, but did you think (seens all mirrors were pointing up) that the elderly person might be smaller than your friend?

I know when I get in the car after dad (who is quite a bit shorter) the mirrors are pointing up a bit.

[new2ford]

There is a reasonable system in place in NSW (as described by KeepLeft) for age-assessing drivers. Some people drive like that at 30. There is a mother of about that age at our primary school who regularly drives through the school crossing when there are people on it because she is busy gawking somewhere else. Yesterday's accident outside Campsie school (a young girl was hit on the school crossing) was caused by a 58 year old (I won't say Commodore driver!) who moved out to overtake two cars stopped at the crossing. I've seen that one before. It all comes down to a person's suitability to drive, whatever the age. Too many slip through the testing net because holding a licence is seen as a right not a privilege.

[Smoked]

I like the idea of mandatory tests every 5 or so years, allows for a constant maintaining of skill and knowledge of law.

[ED Classic]

I like the idea of Eye Tests, Reaction Time Tests, Knowlege of Rules tests and anything that weeds out the terrible drivers. Day after day I see them going through red lights, Sitting in the right lane holding up traffic at 20 kmh under the limit, Sitting in between two lanes, Pulling out on oncomming traffic etc etc Some of them have shrunk that much they cannot see over the steering wheel.

[micksta]

i almost had an accident with an old lady the other day becoz she decided to do a u-turn on train tracks without looking....

wow thats safe.

[mosman69]

hmmm i dont have a strong opinion abot this but i just thought id add my bit...
how come ppl are all for selective retesting of oldies to make sure they maintain some form of independence but at the same time happy to slam p plater with curfews etc. in my mind the curfews and other restrictions should have similar relevant reciprocals for the elderly.
im not debating the rightness or wrongness of the restrictions just the principal that both age groups are seen as risk groups yet only p platers have blanket laws....
just a thought
slam me now if u want

[micksta]

as for me being a typical p-plater .. which i am .. i dont do anything stupid around other drivers. i'd rather hit a pole by my self being stupid with no one else to hit rather then doing donuts in the main street at 3:30. thats my way of thinking .. say wot u want i dont care

and i also dont mind having the retesting things every so many years .. i can only get better with age .. doesn't bother me.

but as for the curfew thing .. thats the most dumbest thing i'v heard.