Should there be a driving test and a cut off age?

Harris27

I think it should be compulsory for all of us after 80 to have some sort of check nit just a written bit of paper.

I agree. Eyesight might be a good start.

I think it should be compulsory for all of us after 80 to have some sort of check nit just a written bit of paper.

OMG - how awful ! That poor family ?

My mother had serious eyesight problems for a couple of years before her death, but kept on insisting that she could drive. She lied on the form for the DVLA. Her car was covered with bumps, where she hadn't seen walls or other objects (fortunately not children).

One day, I was with her in the car and she drove the wrong way round a roundabout. When I nearly had a fit, she said that the roundabout hadn't been there the last time she drove down that road.

That was the last straw. My sister and I got hold of her keys and drove the car away. She didn't stop moaning until she died about how her daughters had taken away her freedom. We tried to point out that she could use the money she used to spend on her car for taxis, but she always came up with excuses about how she didn't like taxis.

Yes, I think there should be some sort of test.

Although I wouldn't like to have to take a test, I would be prepared to do it. The self test is not enough.
My FiL has stopped driving but not before he hit a petrol pump and a "keep left" bollard . He was over 90.

There used to be a "Fitness to Drive" medical after the age of 75.
A GP I worked for said she really couldn't pass one older gentleman who'd come for his check up.
She knew it would really affect his independence, but more importantly she knew she had the public safety to consider.

My Dad is still driving at 89. He had a break after Mum died and he'd been in for some respite care, then he wanted to start again.
At my suggestion he had a couple of sessions with a driving instructor who said she was happy for him to continue driving.
As well as a medical checkup I think a practical assessment could be useful.

My father-in-law used to have blackouts, but still drove, but "It's ok because I only go local or stick to the inside lane." Unbelievable.
I always said to my husband, don't you dare get in the car with him driving.

I think there is probably potential for an older persons test linked to the specific things that decline like reaction time etc. I also think that the test should have to be taken at regular intervals after a specific age...but unsure how often. Maybe every 2 years? 1 year? Not sure.

I think this process might actually filter a few more drivers out earlier through their own choice, rather than take the test

People are mentioning a re-test.

Do they mean the full driving test? I certainly think some kind of driving test is needed but I wonder if the full test is necessary.

After all, it checks things like smooth gear changing which is not necessarily the problem. The people can often mechanically drive the car but it is their reactions and eyesight that are problematic.

Could a specific test for the older person be devised?

Perhaps I am too lenient.

There should be a medical for those over 80 and the doctor should assess whether the person is fit to drive.
At the moment there is just a form to fill in to say you are fit and it is up to the person to tell the truth.
Retesting at 80 may not help as people have good and bad days so may drive perfectly one day and not the next.

Gramaretto I was sitting in my car when the news came over the radio on Tuesday lunchtime. What a heartbreak for a family. At 91yrs old, no matter how good your driving skills are, your reactions and instincts will have slowed down. The driver involved in killing this child will have to live with what happened for the rest of her life. I agree with pinkquartz that a re-check driving test should be compulsory instead of the current system of more or less being able to certify your own ability every three years.

Yes I think we should have a test at 75 and maybe every 5 years after.

If some people drive fine after 80 then it's not a problem is it?
They will pass their test and those who fail can at least be saved from killing someone!

I never reported a neighbour for driving even when her legs didn't work properly and she was dosed up on morphine for pain.

But a few of us were relived when she stopped driving though she only stopped a few weeks before dying.

If I can't drive because i am too ill then I don't see why age should not also be a reason to stop driving.

The woman who killed the little boy what can she be feeling like now?
We had a cyclist killed not that long ago because the elderly driver said he couldn't see in broad daylight anyone in fornt of him.
How awful

Yes to a recheck driving test after 80 years old.

I often think that a proper medical should take place, not just a rubber stamping exercise. Some kind of driving test also perhaps to test reactions.

Yes I think the medical is a good idea too Tangerine

age is tricky.
but everyone should report anyone whom they suspect is not up to driving safely anymore.
and there are many. and often commented upon. it doesn't usually come out of nowhere.
and if anyone in the family has access to their house, i think they are duty bound to make it impossible for the person to drive. as well as reporting. take away keys. remove a vital part.
in fact this is more important in a way. because some people even when told officially not to drive/ having their licence cancelled, will carry on regardless.

I often think that a proper medical should take place, not just a rubber stamping exercise. Some kind of driving test also perhaps to test reactions.

I am always in favour of fairness so, as long as it applies to everyone when they reach a particular age, I think the law needs changing.

What age though? Perhaps 80 or 85?

The trouble is there are some people at that age who drive beautifully and safely and some people who are 20 who are bad drivers. It isn't one size fits all.

If they want people to give up driving though, they definitely need to provide a proper transport system to get people to all their medical appointments. If everyone over 80 gave up driving tomorrow, the surgeries and hospitals would be in the most dreadful mess.

Also, they'd need to provide shopping and other assistance.

I think there should be compulsory retesting after the age of 75 years.