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Unsafe to drive?

(118 Posts)
middleagespread Thu 28-Apr-16 11:04:30

I have a dear friend but we only meet as members of the same group. The subject of his driving has been, over the last couple of years , much discussed but not directly with him. As we all car share then it has become apparent that no one will share with this lovely man because of his erratic, sometimes dangerous driving. We all offer to drive and he says he gets it,he understands that no one will drive with him. However last night he came to a meeting and left his car outside, keys in engine running! A neighbour told us. I left before it came to light. We are seriously worried for him and other motorists but what can we do. He lives alone and relies on his car and won't accept our so far 'Joking' comments.

Diddy1 Sat 30-Apr-16 18:25:53

I will be 75 at the end of the year, last summer I bought new car, I was then 73, I love my car and the freedom it gives me,we live on a bus route, buses running everfy half hour, but it is the waiting for buses, which are rarely on time, and the carrying of parcels shopping etc, which makes me grateful I can still drive, I dont go into Town as they are always changing traffic directions, and it is total chaos, I use my car mainly to shop locally or travel to my Grandchildren on non motorway roads.
In Winter I try to drive during daylight, occasionally when I really have to, I drive in the dark, but dont enjoy it, especially when it is raining.
I dont feel I am soon to be 75, but occasionally I have to remember, and realise people think I am going to do something stupid, when they see a little white haired lady behind the wheel!
I hope I have many years ahead to prove old ladies can still drive sensibly.

wot Sat 30-Apr-16 15:51:25

I was silly and never learnt to drive until I was 49! Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway....is what we should do ?? I had to learn when I moved to the countryside.

rosesarered Sat 30-Apr-16 15:02:52

Most older people lose some confidence in their driving as the years go on, at least everbody that I know.I haven't driven on the motorway for a few years now, and like some others, don't like driving at night ( although I have to.)
Hate to think of not being able to drive, but luckily live where there is a regular bus service.

Jalima Sat 30-Apr-16 14:48:25

There is usually another way round - my BF would never drive on motorways but we managed to get out and about (if it was a motorway trip I usually drove).

wot Sat 30-Apr-16 14:46:47

Crikey, motorways! I'll be lucky to go on a dual carriageway!! [joking aside, I do agree with you]

Jalima Sat 30-Apr-16 14:40:19

That's a good idea wot, having a few refresher lessons.

I think a lesson on how to drive safely on motorways should be compulsory before a new driver is granted a full licence.
(off piste again, sorry)

wot Sat 30-Apr-16 14:34:00

I am now seriously considering having a few lessons to give me confidence to drive further afield. Yes, it may be expensive but then I will get much more use out of my car. And stop telling myself off. I've got to go to a dentist on 18th May and I've been fretting how to get there. I get on my own nerves with my fears; when I was young I was a daredevil.

Charleygirl Sat 30-Apr-16 14:11:31

i do apologise middleagedspread we went slightly off piste but are back on track again.

FarNorth Sat 30-Apr-16 12:59:56

It's clear that granjura's comments were prompted by unhappy memories of her relatives and by underlying anxiety about this neighbour's situation.
gj, I hope you will take action concerning the neighbour, if only to find out whether he has been told to stop driving completely, or not.

I hope middleagespread will get back to let us know how things are with her/his friend.

Alea Sat 30-Apr-16 11:30:20

That was meant to read "his insurance would be revoked" -sorry!

Alea Sat 30-Apr-16 11:29:14

Granjura yoU quoted this from the DVLA
You can be fined up to £1,000 if you don’t tell DVLA about a medical condition that affects your driving. You may be prosecuted if you’re involved in an accident as a result.
Surely there is a similar requirement in Switzerland? (e.g.epilepsy?)
It is not enough to say a driver's insurance would bevr voted, as anyone who has ever been involved in an accident with an uninsured driver will know. Who would meet the bill for medical expenses in the event of injury?
If you know that a person is breaking the law by continuing to drive you are legally as well as morally obliged to take action.

Charleygirl Sat 30-Apr-16 11:24:13

anno thanks again, all of this support is very much appreciated.

Galen Sat 30-Apr-16 11:23:15

gj
Since when have you become an expert in ophthalmology?
You are quoting from various sources completely out of context.
To paraphrase a biblical quote ' look at the plank in your own eye rather than the speck in anothers!'

annodomini Sat 30-Apr-16 10:38:20

Charleygirl, you have done your utmost to continue driving safely. I'm quite sure that if you had any doubts about your safety you would make the decision to give it up and I'm glad you haven't had to make that decision yet, a car is a lifeline to many of us. I've always loved driving but, like many over 70s, I am also wary about night driving which I now find stressful. Charleygirl, just ignore ill-informed criticism. Some people just can't help their judgemental genes!

Charleygirl Sat 30-Apr-16 09:47:37

Thank you

janeainsworth Sat 30-Apr-16 09:44:58

Please don't be upset Charleygirl.
Granjura's posts said a great deal about her, and nothing intelligent about you flowers

Charleygirl Sat 30-Apr-16 09:08:42

janeainsworth, Ana, phoenix, Bellanonna, and Jalima thank you so much for your support as I was extremely upset about Granjura's nasty comments to me. I am sorry to hear that her mother had AMD but not everybody with this awful condition has the same outcome.

phoenix Fri 29-Apr-16 23:43:28

Bravo, Jalima !

Jalima Fri 29-Apr-16 23:14:17

The Maire knows, the Councillors know- everyone here
His GP is fully aware
So how will everyone feel if he kills a pedestrian - perhaps a child?

Charleygirl you are being very sensible and conscientious - would that everyone was like you.

Bellanonna Fri 29-Apr-16 23:10:33

I read charleygirl's posts as saying that she never really enjoyed driving and uses her car for shopping and other local trips. Perfectly reasonable. She also dislikes driving at night as indeed do I. She stated that she has annual compulsory DVLA checks which have always been ok, and I'm sure she herself would be the first to stop driving if she felt her sight was impairing her driving, as opposed to a lifetime of not particularly enjoying driving. I'm sure you meant well GJ but your messages were a bit dramatic where cg was concerned. Perhaps your neighbour has checks, too, and is deemed safe to drive.

phoenix Fri 29-Apr-16 23:02:58

Damn, my post was lost, so I will go again!

I am really angry with you, Granjura how dare you say that Charleygirl shouldn't be driving when she has taken every sensible measure, opticians, doctor, dvla etc, when you have a neighbour who would seem to be far more of risk to himself and others! Shame on you, seems like double standards to me.

janeainsworth Fri 29-Apr-16 22:32:01

That is the first time in four years I have posted a angry

Ana Fri 29-Apr-16 22:31:12

Quite! hmm

janeainsworth Fri 29-Apr-16 22:30:42

angry

janeainsworth Fri 29-Apr-16 22:29:54

So, the doctor knows, the maire knows, the councillors know, you know gj, and you all know that everyone else knows, that this person has epilepsy and drives and if he has an accident as a result of having a seizure, his insurance would be invalidated, and none of you are doing anything about it?
You are all complicit in what any reasonable person would regard as criminal negligence.
And you have the barefaced impertinence to lecture Charleygirl and tell her to stop driving shockshockshock