Glaucoma and not driving

crazyH

what’s the difference between an Uber and a Taxi ?

Not much. An Uber arrives faster, and the fare comes out of your bank account, so no need to pay by card or cash. But as someone said, they don't operate in all areas, so if the OP is rural, a taxi might be the only option.

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CrazyH essentially the difference between an Uber and a taxi is that an Uber must be prebooked whereas a licensed taxi can be hailed from the street

I loved my car. Always said I was like a Tortoise, and the car was my shell. Felt happy and safe in whichever one I owned at the time.
However, I was always determined that I would be able to make the decision as to when to give up driving, and not wait until that series of small accidents, or one large on to make me.
Five years ago, as I was approaching my 80th birthday, I felt that time had come. Sold the car (wow, what a saving each year). Use my bus pass, disability train pass and my mobility scooter to get around.
There were times I really missed being able to suddenly take a decision to go somewhere, now need to plan in advance. However, so much more relaxed now - no worries about insurance, maintenance, parking, petrol costs, etc. etc.

Amazing how useful a car-less garage is for me!!!

You may find on trying to renewing your insurance that you are refused as they ask if you have been advised not to drive by a medical professional/doctor….please don’t risk it….and you have to advise your insurance company if there have been any changes to your health that could affect your ability to drive…

Son was stopped waiting to turn into our drive. He always indicates in very good time. As verified by a witness. A lady in her mid eighties just drove into the back of him. She said her foot must have slipped but who knows. No idea of outcome good job he drives a pickup

I have driven for more than 50 years, both here and abroad, and spent 10.years doing hospital car service 3 days a week when I came back to live in yorkshire.
Doing this showed me the importance of remaining independant. So, although it was a wrench I moved from my lovely home and garden to a town , where I live in a ground floor flat. At present I still drive, but have regular checks on.my eyesight. I chose this town as it has a main line station and buses. I am not looking forward to the day when I no longer can drive, but with the cost of fuel, insurance , and maintaining the car, I think I shall do my best to use public transport and accept having to use taxis at times.

My partner was a London bus driver so when he was diagnosed with glaucoma it was pretty devastating for him. He still had a few years to retirement so has kept himself busy doing different things for various agencies. He had a free transport pass which made it possible to get to these various jobs.I really admire his determination.

My DM died in hospital aged 85 a week after hitting a traffic island in her car. Thank goodness there was no-one else involved. She shouldn't have been driving but she lived out in the country and refused to move.

Gingster SO pleased you had a positive experience today!
🌞
Hooray!

Is your eyesight and general health still good enough to let you ride a bike? Both two wheeled bikes and trikes and cargo bikes can easily be found with an electric motor these days.

And if walking is still relatively easy, then instead of just popping up to the shops etc in the car, walk there. I use a medium sized back-pack to carry shopping in, or time my shopping trip, so I walk up to the shops and take the bus home. You may prefer a shopping basket on wheels,

If you live far out in the country with no bus service, not being able to drive may mean ultimately that you have to move.

Find out though what a taxi would cost to your doctor's, the shops etc, and whether there are lower rates for the elderly or those who legally may not drive. Citizen's advice ought to be able to tell you what options you have.

Have you a friend or neighbour who might help out? If so, discuss to start with how much help that person is willing to provide - it is better to start with a mutual decision that she or he takes you shopping at the start of each month and you contribute to the petrol bill, or that the person will only help out with health-related appointments, than to feel. or be made to feel later that you are placing unreasonable strain upon the friendship.

Most supermarkets deliver food these days.

Take a look at what it actually costs on an annual basis to run a car, fuel, maintance, MOT, insurance all adds up to an amount you can take a fair amount of taxis for.

None of us likes being forced to realise that there are things we can no longer do, legally, or without risking our own or more importantly others' safety, but we may have to accept these limitations as we age and find solutions.

I know of someone with glaucoma who
insisted on driving as the optician ‘passed them fit’. It was a disaster - a few hits of wall edges, garage doors etc and a running commentary from their partner on what was ahead etc! They, and the public, were fortunate nothing worse happened. They died - but should not have been driving.
Cost of a car, petrol, tax, insurance -‘ can easily be swapped for a good few taxi or bus rides.

fancyflowers not everywhere has Ubers. I paid £9.00 for a one and a half mile taxi journey recently.

butterandjam

Gingster

Another eye test

A glaucoma visual field test measures peripheral vision, identifying early blind spots caused by damage to the optic nerve. It typically detects loss in side vision first, progressing to "tunnel vision" if untreated.

Because glaucoma often impacts peripheral vision, the brain may "fill in" blind spots, making you unaware of missing dangerous information, particularly when damage in both eyes overlaps.

A second test will reveal the same blind spots as the first.

My friend has just had to take that test and failed so went back for a second attempt at a different optician and passed. Apparently you get 5 tries each time and if you pass once you can continue to drive. It is so wrong. My friend should have stopped driving years ago she is 86 and has no clue which way to turn the stearing wheel when reversing. Yet insists she is fine.

What happens if you live out in the sticks', like I do, where there is absolutely no public transport? Taxis charge for coming all this way from town to collect me.
I dread the day - but it will come, unless I die first.

Just because you feel confident driving that doesn't mean you're safe to drive. Do you want to kill someone? Are you actually happy to take that risk? And why do you think an optician would lie to you and say you have glaucoma when you don't?

Maybe think of the people you could kill and their families, and your family having to deal with you being sent to prison?

Yes sell it.

Thanks everyone.
This morning I caught the bus to a friends house for our Chimes group. I only waited 10 mins for the bus with another lady who was catching the same one. We chatted away and sat next to each other when the bus arrived. The time flew by and it was a joyful experience. No stress of driving, no parking dilemma, no fare to pay.
I think I might like this way of travelling.

I know things aren’t always so straight forward but this gave me hope.

Agree with you Quizzer. So sad for you!

My dear SIL was hit in a car park by a driver who thought he was OK to drive. She was permanently disabled as a result. It turns out that he had been registered blind a few weeks before. Sadly this accident was not reported to the police as he went on to kill another lady on a pedestrian crossing two weeks later.
You may think you can see, but what you CAN’T see is more important.

Seven years ago I decided to stop driving as I wanted to live as ethically as possible. I sold my van and gave myself two years to try it out and see if it would be workable to use public transport all the time. I've loved it. I use buses and trains all the time. I love the fun of using timetables and also the people I meet en route. Yesterday on a train I met a Swedish couple and heard about their travels. The hardest bit has been convincing well-meaning friends that I really don't need a lift when there's a bus going in the same direction. My two sons who live nearby have been brilliant in respecting my decision and are used to my leaving their houses and walking past their cars to a bus stop. I hope you'll embrace it if you have to Gingster although I know it will take some getting used to when it hasn't been your choice.

fancyflowers

You could consider using an Uber. It's fast and reliable.

That isn't true everywhere.

Our neighbour booked an Uber to take her to the train station. It appeared to be on it's way but then diverted to pick up someone else instead. Cue panic throwing on of clothes by Mr Lester to take her to the train.

It is the loss of spontaneity and convenience that impacts at first when you can’t drive but honestly you do get used to it.
I just use taxis, public transport is not convenient for me as I also have mobility issues.
The cost of taxis balances out by comparing the cost of buying and running a car.
I do know how upsetting it is at first but common sense takes over and you will get used to it.
Best wishes to you and your H.

Sell the car so you are not tempted to jump in at a moments notice.