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Bad driving

(22 Posts)
shysal Sun 27-Oct-24 07:24:12

Could it be that she is not used to having passengers, and if they were talking she was distracted?

NotSpaghetti Sun 27-Oct-24 07:17:33

Could you call the DVLA and ask for advice?
I believe you can report anonymously to them.

I read this on a different website
Report the dangerous driving with or without providing your name. One of the benefits of the DVLA hotline is that you aren’t required to provide your name (or any other personally identifying information) when you call in. Just give your location, the type of car you’re reporting, and the dangerous activity that the driver is engaging in. If you got a chance to see the driver’s license plate number, report that as well.

It does seem to assume the driving is current but a phone call wouldn't hurt (and could easily have come from travelling behind her).
0844 453 0118

DanniRae Sun 27-Oct-24 07:15:22

Definitely report her. If you are unsure google "bad elderly drivers" and all the information you need is there.

NotSpaghetti Sun 27-Oct-24 07:04:38

I think you are right BlueBelle - but it might be possible to have a test (as we have discussed here at length before). I know this means a whole new "industry" developing around it though.

What a horrible situation to be in travelsafar.

Jaxjacky Sun 27-Oct-24 06:58:02

If she has a partner I’d have a word, if no action is taken I’d report her on 101. She’s dangerous.

BlueBelle Sun 27-Oct-24 06:49:02

The more I think about this the more I think it does need some action maybe an anonymous phone call just to alert a need to check this woman

I know this will go completely against the grain on here but I do think there should be an upper age limit on driving I don’t care how competent a 90 year old is …. maybe a 12 year old could be an excellent driver but it’s not allied for a reason, a good reason and I think it’s the same at the other end of the scale just my view and now I ll get my bullet proof vest out

Aveline Sun 27-Oct-24 06:40:07

We were all in shock here when a 91 year old lady crashed on to the pavement and killed a little boy. It was so awful that I think many of us are rethinking whether or not we should still be driving. My neighbour who is 90 has decided to give up her car as a direct result of this case.

Marydoll Sat 26-Oct-24 23:51:00

I don't think you could let it go. Would you be able forgive yourself if she killed someone?
A car is a lethal weapon.
A dreadful position for you to be in.

welbeck Sat 26-Oct-24 23:36:43

Oh. I'm alright Jack. Just so long as I'm not injured that's OK then ???

madalene Sat 26-Oct-24 23:33:36

I would not report her. If I knew her family, I might talk to them. I would not go in her car with her driving again.

welbeck Sat 26-Oct-24 23:11:14

Don't talk to her.
Take action.
Report.

welbeck Sat 26-Oct-24 23:09:33

You could ring the police on 101.
Or crimestoppers.
I don't think you should leave it.
Doesn't sound like an eyesight or glasses issue.
You can't determine what caused the issue.
You can only speak of what you know. That she is an unsafe driver.

Babs03 Sat 26-Oct-24 23:08:44

Yes I think talking to the other friends about this would be best, perhaps one of them is closer to the friend driving and can mention concerns tactfully to her. But if you are the closest friend am afraid ‘you’re it’. You will need to have a chat with her about it. Others will hopefully have mentioned this before so she might already be aware. But obviously driving like this is a risk to her safety and everyone else’s.

Ziplok Sat 26-Oct-24 23:01:32

Oh, I see you’ve never been in her car before, so won’t know what her driving previous to this was like, but perhaps her friends who were with you in her car have been passengers previously, so if you are on good terms with them, could ask them if they’ve noticed a change?

Ziplok Sat 26-Oct-24 22:57:05

It’s a very difficult situation for you travelsafar as she is your friend. Have you been a passenger with her being the driver before - has she always been like this or is it a recent development?
What did your other friends feel about her driving ability?
OP say report her, but who to, exactly? The DVLA? I think they would require more than a passenger expressing concerns? Perhaps there are family members (if you are close enough to them) who you could raise your concerns with, or, as others say, if you feel you could, raise it with your friend herself? (Although I appreciate this could be difficult for you and might not be the route you’d wish to take).
Maybe you could tackle it in a more round about way, later - not when you’ve just been a passenger in her car - but more generally around eyesight issues - blurred vision/cateract conversations, emphasising how important it is to have regular eye checks and have cataracts dealt with, and how doing so improves vision, perhaps? (This conversation might work better with several of you discussing it rather than just you and your friend? Hard to say really, not knowing your friends personality and how she would react to such conversations).
I hope you can come to a satisfactory resolution soon.

kittylester Sat 26-Oct-24 22:25:48

Report it. She is not safe to be on the roads.

crazyH Sat 26-Oct-24 20:46:57

How old is she? This is a tough one. Perhaps talk to a member of her family.or better still, talk to her. All this depends on her age.

Theexwife Sat 26-Oct-24 20:38:13

I would have to report, if there is an accident in the future it would make me feel responsible if I hadn’t.

Do you know any of her family you could have a chat to?

charley68 Sat 26-Oct-24 20:04:04

How did the other friend perceive, or react to the driving?

That does sound very scary, you are in a difficult situation, and I wish you luck with how you approach your driving friend.

Calendargirl Sat 26-Oct-24 20:00:18

I wouldn’t let her drive me again.

As for reporting her,……….

confused

BlueBelle Sat 26-Oct-24 19:57:29

Is she old, poor eyesight, dementia starting? it’s hard but if you know how bad a driver she is first hand, and God forbid she killed someone how would you feel ? Hard one

travelsafar Sat 26-Oct-24 19:52:23

I went to see an amateur dramatic show this afternoon with 3 friends , one of whom did the driving. I've never been in her car before and I was horrified at her driving. She was driving half on the hard shoulder and half in the slow lane on the motorway, then she was beeped at twice for being in the wrong lane when going round 2 different roundabouts. Then on the return journey she overshot the entrance to where 2 of us live and just stopped abruptly making the car behind just miss us and they beeped long and hard. I was terrified all the time I was in the car. Now what do I do, do I report her as being unsafe on the road or just leave it and never accept a lift from her again, what would you do.??