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AIBU

AIBU to think that driving at 97 is a tad unreasonable?

(199 Posts)
JessM Thu 17-Jan-19 18:54:44

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-46912691 Apparently Prince Philip had a road accident today and is unhurt. It's a blessing that nobody else was injured. Trouble is that there is nothing (other than relatives) to prevent a 97 year old from continuing to drive. I would favour eyesight tests being made compulsory from 70. And some sort of cognitive assessment every 5 years after 80. Otherwise drivers can just keep certifying themselves as fit to drive, each time their driving licence comes up for renewal. Some people have the sense to know when it's time to hang up the car keys and others, evidently, don't.

BlueBelle Sun 20-Jan-19 10:11:08

No i m sure he doesn’t have the start of dementia he’s just a stubborn privileged arrogant old bugger always has been

maryeliza54 Sun 20-Jan-19 10:20:53

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annsixty Sun 20-Jan-19 10:54:20

Well said Bluebelle
"No lessons have been learned"
The people in the other car may not be so lucky next time it happens.
And it will.

Nonnie Sun 20-Jan-19 10:58:41

Sparkle no, it was not your post I was commenting about, it was you who commented on mine! I would ask both you and Marye to explain to me how 'not an accident' can be anything other than deliberate? An accident is something that happens by accident. Anything else is done deliberately. I think my explanation is basic but am happy to read any other explanation of the word 'accident'.

I would be very surprised if there were a court case. No was was killed or permanently disabled. Our courts would never cope if every car accident was referred to them.

Sparklefizz Sun 20-Jan-19 11:14:14

Nonnie I took the driver who hit our car to court because I was injured. The case took 6 years to get to court, but it did in the end.

Sparklefizz Sun 20-Jan-19 11:18:29

If it's found to be PP's fault and the women want to bring charges, they're entitled to do that.

Nonnie Sun 20-Jan-19 11:18:38

Sparkle I think you have made my point for me, most cases don't go to court because there are too many. Those that do would probably be private prosecutions or the insurance companies who generally don't think it is a financially viable option.

Sparklefizz Sun 20-Jan-19 11:25:44

Nonnie I don't think I have made your point for you at all.

Nonnie Sun 20-Jan-19 11:31:20

I think you took my post personally Sparkle when it was not. I was not referring to your accident but to someone suggesting there was bound to be a court case. I don't see why there should be as it is normal for such an accident (yes it was an accident) to go to court. Usually the insurance companies deal with it without resorting to the tax payers for a court hearing.

maryeliza54 Sun 20-Jan-19 11:33:52

Nonnie firstly there are two different courts involved - criminal and civil. In the latter, settling out of court is very common but court proceedings are initiated before this stage can happen. It’s popular because it avoids further publicity and/ or costs less.

Sparklefizz Sun 20-Jan-19 11:35:22

No Nonnie I did not take your post personally at all. I just think your reasoning/logic is a bit skewed. You seem to think everything is black or white with no grey areas at all.

maryeliza54 Sun 20-Jan-19 11:35:32

The costs of using the civil courts is charged to the relevant parties - I think you are quite muddled about the differences between civil and criminal courts Nonnie

Anja Sun 20-Jan-19 11:37:55

I’ve just heard that the local police have ‘spoken with’ PP because he’s been spotted on a public road since the accident without a seat belt.

Anja Sun 20-Jan-19 11:38:14

...driving...

Sparklefizz Sun 20-Jan-19 11:41:49

Anja Apparently, according to the BBC, the police "gave him advice". If he's got to 97 and still needs that advice, heaven help us!! Even a teenage learner driver knows the score.

Anja Sun 20-Jan-19 11:45:08

IMO that is not acceptable Sparkle and he ought to be treated according to the law and the correct penalty applied.

Nonnie Sun 20-Jan-19 11:45:56

Marye & Sparkle you both have an amazing ability to misinterpret posts. Is it because you don't understand what others write or because English isn't your first language? Interesting to note that neither of you has given me an explanation of the word 'accident' so let me give you the OED definition:

1An unfortunate incident that happens unexpectedly and unintentionally, typically resulting in damage or injury.

‘he had an accident at the factory’
mass noun ‘if you are unable to work owing to accident or sickness’
More example sentencesSynonyms
1.1 A crash involving road or other vehicles.
‘four people were killed in a road accident’
More example sentencesSynonyms
1.2euphemistic An incidence of incontinence by a child or animal.
‘he had a little accident, but I washed his shorts out’
2An event that happens by chance or that is without apparent or deliberate cause.

‘the pregnancy was an accident’
‘it is no accident that Manchester has produced more than its fair share of professional comics’

Do you still believe it wasn't an accident?

Sparklefizz Sun 20-Jan-19 11:46:00

Anja I totally agree with you.

Sparklefizz Sun 20-Jan-19 11:48:02

Thank you for your personally insulting post nonnie. I've got better things to do than to rise to your sarcastic comments.

Anja Sun 20-Jan-19 11:48:53

I think everyone would agree that his latest offence, driving on a public road without a seat belt, is not accidental.

Nonnie Sun 20-Jan-19 11:54:14

Sparkle it was a question which you haven't answered. I find your accusations insulting because they are not based on fact. What have I said which is not based on fact? I note you have still not admitted you don't understand the word 'accident'. When I make a mistake I apologise.

eazybee Sun 20-Jan-19 11:59:33

I don't believe the police can take further action unless they actually see Prince Philip driving without a seat belt themselves. He has been given a warning, however politely phrased.
Photographic evidence is not sufficient to prosecute, unless it comes from a speed camera, as residents of our village who collected it were told when they tried to persuade the police to take action about the dangerous and illegal parking that occurs all term time outside the local school.

Anja Sun 20-Jan-19 12:02:43

Hadteachers can, and should, alert the police (give them a kick up the bumper) and ask that a unit attend school and give inconsiderate parents a verbal warning.

eazybee Sun 20-Jan-19 12:09:08

Anja, Headteachers can and do, alert the police, regularly. This last comment was made at a public meeting attended by the Head, parents, residents, local councillors and the police.
As soon as a policeman is seen, the cars vanish like snow in the sunshine, only to return two or three days later. A police camera has been requested.

eazybee Sun 20-Jan-19 12:10:52

There is a theory of accident causality, which I think is what is being discussed.
You have simply given the definition of the word, Nonnie.