Giving up the car.

thanks for that, Isthis, I shall send your post to my daughter who will be most interested. Sorry to hear about the recent medical problem, hope all goes well.

Cheers Hunt. Still am curious if your screen name is because you support men and women in red coats chasing foxes. Still very big round here (Leicestershire).

isthis your IAM instructor sounds like my husband! He may have no intention of driving again himself but 40 years on and off as an HGV driver means he sits beside me doing the speed limit thing and asking me what I'm going to do about the junction 1/2 mile ahead and shouldn't I be changing lanes now because of the traffic that will turning off in the next 100yds?

It's pretty good though isn't it Deedaa? Makes me drive better anyway.

Another thing my IAM instructor says is "Leave your troubles outside when you shut the car door" ie calm down and don't let your mood affect your driving. When I started, I was always getting wound up when I was driving, swearing at other drivers etc etc. She soon put a stop to that and it was probably the one thing that most helped my driving to improve!

And cheers Hunt, I'm sure that the medics will get to the bottom of my recent blackout. Once I've got through six months without another one, I'll be allowed to drive again anyway. Almost three months gone already now and no repeat so things are looking good!

Fascinating thread,this. I am on the cusp of giving up. I live in Surrey where roads are always busy but the upside is that public transport is excellent. I live near bus stops and railway stations and very near the shops. I think, though, that the decision about my ability to drive is coloured by my experiences when being driven by one or other of my grandchildren. They see so much more than I do and are aware of everything around them. They drive well and confidently. I think I do too - I have always driven and had sports cars and large estate cars - but when I am with them I realise how much has changed. The traffic here is horrific and sometimes split second decisions have to be made. It is then that some older people lack the ability to cope.
I only average 2000 miles a year now so I will stop soon - not today though - i'm going out to lunch 15 miles away!