Unsafe to drive?

Charleygirl glad you had a good day yesterday and had some

granjura has the young man been passed medically fit to drive by a doctor? My friend was not allowed to drive for three years after she had an epileptic fit., even though she had only two and none since.
Another young man I knew had three crashes in his father's car before it was discovered he had epilepsy (no other vehicles involved).

Granjura It has been beautiful weather for driving-I did enjoy visiting friends for coffee and a chat yesterday. I do not like to be treated to such unnecessary diatribes, I feel as though I have been bullied and patronised by you when medically I have followed the letter of the law. I have had so much support from other GNs that I was overwhelmed with their kindness.

Glad to hear that gj. Must be a relief for you to know.

As said, the Maire and the Councillors know, as do the police- as do everybody here in the area.

Checked with one of the local Councillors to day who said that as he has not had another fit for over 1 year and it he had a night fit rather than a day one- he has now been given the OK to drive. He clearly drove for the whole period he was banned- bar the first 3 weeks after the event. All fingers crossed.

Different issue though, but thanks.

Granjura I completely understand your post about your parents, but that still leaves the question about the local chap with the epilepsy.

Are you going to do anything about it? I appreciate that he has a family to support, but, as you yourself have said, (although in other words) there is surely a duty of responsibility to other road users?

its great to see posters supporting Charleygirl and so many honest comments about the impact of ageing on driving confidence.

My father continued driving too long but an accident that wasn't his fault shook him so badly he got rid of his car. Reduced mobility meant he became virtually housebound. He felt isolated and useless, depression followed. We need to be sensitive and non judgemental where we can, I hope not to worry my children but I expect I will however unintentionally. I worried About them charging about in my car as soon as the passed their tests. Fifteen years later, they're still safe, well and driving faster than I do these days.

annsixty one wonders if she knows where she lives?

My son has just taken me to M& S for a few food bits. The little white haired old lady in front of me( a mirror image of myself) had bought the Dine in for £10 offer. The sales girl told her she needed a side dish or the till would not accept the offer. She had no idea what she was saying. I got involved and eventually took her to the shelf and explained again. She said she liked the new potatoes but would not take them today as she didn't need them. Through gritted teeth I explained again and she took croquettes. We went back to the till where she couldn't find her purse, I always have my card out ready, she then admired the tulips on display, decided which she liked and then said but she would leave those until the weekend.
I am sure I don't need to tell you that when I got outside she was getting in her car and driving away. To say I was shocked is putting it mildly, she wasn't fit to be out alone.

I am truly and sincerely sorry if my post uspet you Charleygirl- and I do hope you will realise that it was NOT PERSONAL- and that my post had a big IF in it.

Having been through this with both my parents- my dad didn't have MC but he drove until he was 94- for exactly the reasons you stated, eg living our in a rural area, and also because my mum became blind (a combination of MC and glaucoma) a few years after her car accident, the last time she drove. Dad also wrote his car off and ended up in a lamp-post- neighbours phoned me in the UK and said all in the village were concerned that he really should not be driving anymore- and it was a miracle no-one was hurt. I talked to him on the phone- and the next day neighbour phoned to say he'd bought a new car, much more powerful than the previous one... It just wouldn't listen to anyone.

In the end, the GP and police visited and told him to give his keys up to them- and he blamed me and my neighbour for interfering. I've sworn to our daughters that if they ever feel the time has come, we would agree to go for full visual and medical + driving skills assessment- and act upon the advice. We have chosen to live near a rural bus stop with excellent service- and swore we would get used to use it if ever necessary. I suffered too much worrying like crazy about my parents' dangerous driving to ever inflict that on my own children.

Yes, I can get on_line shopping! I'm only 15 miles from dear old Norwich, but no buses near.

TriciaF and wot I am aware what it is like living in the countryside- I was brought up in the wilds of Scotland and hated it. I was determined that I would be close to civilisation when I started working many years ago. There is a good bus route but the bus stop is around 12 -15 minutes away at my pace.

I do on line shopping and the heavy items such as cat litter are delivered. I doubt if you two would have that luxury. I am fortunate that I have not been in a position yet to think about moving- I would like to think that this is my last stop but who knows?!

This getting old lark does make one think.

It would be almost impossible to live where I do without a car frightening really. .the old man who used to live next door cycled everywhere,

Tricia, that's the problem with living in the countryside. If/ when I can move to a town again I'd give up my car. £285 tax £300 mot, repairs and service etc etc. I'd make full use of me bus pass which I did when I was on holiday and thought it was marvellous. Groceries delivered, taxi when necessary and I'd walk more although I don't like walking (too slow!)

This thread has made me think again - I had a car accident about a month ago. My car was a writeoff but luckily no-one hurt - I had a passenger. My first accident in more than 25 years of daily driving. It was mainly my fault, I was distracted, but that so often happens.
I think I should go for some lessons.
Husband had a similar accident 10 years ago, went to the doctor who arranged a brain scan and it was normal.
We're very isolated here, with no public transport. I haven't driven at night for a long time, since a wild boar ran into our van on a dark wet night.

Bit close to home this. My father had MD only drove locally and on familiar roads. He only gave up when he pulled out in front of another car he had not seen. He carried on driving because mum was blind and he wanted to keep them independence. The family rows were horrific and he was prickly and argumentative to say the least. We, apparently, had no business interfering! Interestingly following his 'grounding' they travelle in style by private hire car with the money released from motoring costs.

Subjects such as this are really emotive with pros and cons on each side of the argument.

My dh (sadly passed away) began to make errors in driving when he began to fall ill. He failed to see cars on his left and forgot to put the handbrake on more than once. He very wisely gave up driving as his illness got worse. He was 67.

My dear auntie made the decision not to drive when she had an eye problem. She missed driving very much but it was the right decision.

Middleagespread - you could tell your friend stories of others who very sensibly gave up driving for various reasons, if the quiet talk doesn't work.

Perhaps your neighbour has had assurances from his GP and the driving authorities in your country that he's OK to drive, granjura. If not, surely you should report him?

My DH had 2 epileptic night time seizures 13 years ago he did everything by the book and informed the DVLA straight away. He takes regular medication and has not had another seizure since, so after a year he informed the DVLA and he was given his licence back.on the plus side it meant I had to learn to drive pretty quick as being without transport was a pain.

The key word in your quote is

IF

Charleygirl later explained that it was not the case, and I replied that I was delighted.

Not driving at night is an easy choice- but if your macular degenaration makes you feel uncomfortable to drive on non-familiar roads- but truly really, you should NOT be driving.

Your post, granjura.

Galen, my quotes were from the gov.uk website- as I am indeed no expert.

Nowhere did I say Charleygirl shouldn't drive- but that I was concerned that her post in a thread about driver safety, about not wanting to drive on unfamiliar roads due to macular degeneration (which is as it sounded to me in her original post- which was about driver safety) concerned me, and seemed to indicate it was because her sight is affected. After her explanation stating here sight and driving are NOT affected by MD- that I was delighted. I never ever said she should not be driving- just that I was concerned.

DH always drives on longer journeys (he will be 77 soon) and I feel he is much safer now than he was when he was younger; a bit slower and more careful!

I got the impression of a sort of Gallic shrug in GJ's post about her lovely epileptic neighbour..........
you mean 'c'est la vie', unless, of course, he has an accident and .....

You will be fine Diddy my H was 78 when I stopped him driving and he had bought a new car 3 years before but he developed Alzheimer's and that was the turning point. We have friends in their late 70s I would happily drive to the ends of the country with.

I agree, phoenix.

Diddy1 I hope that you have many years of driving your new car. It sounds as though you are very sensible re your driving. Like me your brain is probably 29 years old but your body has raced ahead. People make assumptions on what they see- ignore them and enjoy what you are doing.

It is of course almost impossible to get the feeling behind posts, but I could swear I got the impression of a sort of Gallic shrug in GJ's post about her lovely epileptic neighbour..........