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Ma's driving

(55 Posts)
Lisalou Sun 10-Jun-18 18:33:12

Dear Gns,

I could use your help. My mother is now in her early eighties and still living independently, she is in good health overall, with the odd ache and pain, but capable of doing pretty much everything for herself. My only problem is her driving - she used to be a good driver and, to my knowledge, no accidents; I went for a drive with her recently and was terrified. She is hesitant, drives far too slowly and she tends to hug the shoulder. She says she will probably give up driving when she is around 85 unless the car (very old) gives out first.
I dont know how to tell her that her driving is appalling, I suspect her eyesight (which she tells me is perfect, and is clearly not) should take some of the blame, but whatever the reason, she should no longer be driving. I wouldn't hurt her feelings for the world, but I would like her to be around for a good bit longer. I am afraid she will have an accident and get herself and/or others killed.

I could tell her, or I could "kill" the car (I use it quite regularly)

How would you wise ladies deal with this?

maryeliza54 Wed 13-Jun-18 07:30:03

Jal but my guess would be that over-75s drive a lot less miles - what is needed ( but probably doesn’t exist ) is accidents per x miles driven.

Jalima1108 Wed 13-Jun-18 13:46:20

Perhaps, yes - I couldn't find any relevant statistics or even up-to-date ones.

M0nica Wed 13-Jun-18 17:20:00

I think all the stats are there maryliza54 and we are a lot safer by all measures than 18 - 25 year olds. Apart from anything else, older people, especially the very old, drive a lot slower than average so accidents tend not to lead to severe injury and death.

Yes, those 'driving the wrong way down the motorway' incidents grab the headlines if the driver is elderly, but if the driver in such an incident - and there have been many - is a drug dealer or young man high on drugs it seems to be of local interest only.

Menopaws Wed 13-Jun-18 17:46:22

We dealt with this with my dad and I was the only one that took control as my mum and sister didn't want him to give up his pride and joy. Looking back we can see the beginning of his dementia but at the time I eventually pinched the spark plugs and he didn't have the mindset to look properly but I also said to my mum how would she feel attending the funeral of the child he kills, brutal but true.