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Should he still be driving at 97?

(625 Posts)
MawBroon Thu 17-Jan-19 18:59:14

www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/duke-of-edinburgh-in-car-crash-near-sandringham-estate-a4042131.html

If anybody else turned their Land Rover over at 97, would you expect them to be allowed to keep their licence?

MawBroon Thu 17-Jan-19 22:00:30

Was this on the estate then Anniebach?

MawBroon Thu 17-Jan-19 22:07:01

It was a public road, quite a busy one and I understand he was turning onto it from a side road.
Speed of reactions or lack thereof would seem to be the likeliest reason. TG nobody was hurt.

merlotgran Thu 17-Jan-19 22:14:23

It's a very fast road. He was attempting to cross it from a private entrance so he had already crossed half of it before being struck by the other car. My guess is he didn't see the oncoming car and they didn't have time to stop.

So lucky that nobody was hurt.

ayse Thu 17-Jan-19 22:17:11

Should not be driving on a public road. If he drives on a private estate, that is up to him. It’s allowed but not necessarily a good thing.

EllanVannin Thu 17-Jan-19 22:19:36

I think that too merlotgran.

Anniebach Thu 17-Jan-19 22:22:14

No Maw, he had left the estate, I think it was said the accident happened on a B road.

Grandad1943 Thu 17-Jan-19 22:24:20

Under the qualities act 2010 ( that has done so much for women equality) it is an offence to discriminate against anyone on the grounds of age.

Therefore, anyone can renew their driving licence above the age of seventy by signing a self-declaration of fitness every three years along with the normal licence application.

HGV & PSV licence holders have to pass a through medical every year when they reach the age of six five.

In the recent case of the Midland Red bus driver who was 68 years old and lost control of the vehicle killing two people when it ran into the front of a supermarket, it was known that he had severe psychological problems but had still been able to pass the above physical medical inspection only a few months previous.

That incident is causing the Health and Safety Executive to review the extent of the medicals to included psychological fitness. Perhaps the publicity regarding this incident will bring about a medical inspection yearly for all drivers over the age of sixty-five or so.

We shall see

merlotgran Thu 17-Jan-19 22:28:41

It was on the A149, Annie He was returning to the Sandringham estate (two miles away) by crossing that road to continue along the B1439. It's an accident blackspot because it's a very fast road.

MiniMoon Thu 17-Jan-19 22:54:41

I don't think he'll be driving again! I hope the Queen exerts pressure on him to give it up.
I still drive, but then I'm 30 years younger than Prince Philip. I have a regular Friday night appointment to take DGD to the swimming pool for kayak practice. ? (not quite) ??

BlueBelle Thu 17-Jan-19 23:02:16

No no no of course he shouldn’t be driving he’s a stubborn and quite arrogant old bugger
Yes it was his fault he drove out of a side road onto a fast road and crashed into an oncoming vehicle Apparently he regularly drives these roads he is very lucky at this advanced age he wasn’t injured, the car was thrown onto its side that is the drivers side how he escaped injury goodness knows

BlueBelle Thu 17-Jan-19 23:02:59

Sally Morgan is a fake anyway I wouldn’t worry with anything she says

BlueBelle Thu 17-Jan-19 23:05:04

Just been an update on the radio to say his car flipped twice and there were two ladies and a baby in a car involved

MawBroon Thu 17-Jan-19 23:20:49

TG nobody in the other car was killed or seriously injured. Far from dining out on it, if that were my child or grandchild I would be pressing for a conviction for dangerous driving. ?

oldgimmer1 Fri 18-Jan-19 08:57:49

So would I, maw.

I think he either overshot the junction or mistimed the speed of the oncoming traffic.

As people were injured I hope there's an investigation into this, including a charge of driving without due care.

Stupid arrogant bugger.

Skweek1 Fri 18-Jan-19 09:41:14

I'm not sure whether or not PP should still be driving, nor who was to blame for the accident, but I see that the road in question is a terrible black spot with 5 fatalities and 40 accidents in the last 6 years. There is a review today and I understand that PP was "dazzled by the sun" - can happen to anyone at any age. Thank goodness the accident wasn't a lot worse.

Esther1 Fri 18-Jan-19 09:53:03

This should be a little wake up call, let us hope he can quietly be sensible, just drive on the private royal estates, and enjoy the privilege of never being without a chauffeur. He is so fortunate!

Frannytoo Fri 18-Jan-19 09:53:50

I think he is setting a worrying precedent for older drivers. I don' t think anyone of his age and often disabilities should be driving on public roads.

paddyann Fri 18-Jan-19 10:01:03

If he had a security man beside him why wasn't he keeping an eye on the road? Whats the point of having him if he cant speak up when needed.Mind you Diana's security let her travel without a seatbelt and then the press were blamed for her death .

NanaPlenty Fri 18-Jan-19 10:04:32

I'm sure it's really difficult to come to the realisation that you are too old to drive but then someone else in your family needs to convince you surely? Everyone's different but it can't realistically be safe. Has the Duke had to have a test to prove his competence?

glammanana Fri 18-Jan-19 10:09:39

I was pleased to hear that no one was seriously injured I am somewhat amazed that PP did not see the approaching car as a Range Rover is very high up with regard to visual checks but agree that with "sun dazzle" could be the cause as low sunshine at that time in the afternoon could be the cause,then again you would take extra caution wouldn't you.

Aepgirl Fri 18-Jan-19 10:11:04

It makes no difference whether it’s a member of the RF or a member of the general public - there is no law that stops people driving over a certain age; there are many much younger people driving who are a danger to themselves and others. We don’t know all the facts.

Hooligran Fri 18-Jan-19 10:12:15

Hi all, I don't usually post, but felt I needed to comment on PP's accident. I am glad that no one was seriously hurt, but why has no one mentioned the fact that PP left the scene of an accident. Is that not an offence? Or is that just for Joe Public.

Alima Fri 18-Jan-19 10:16:01

Do like your name Hooligran! Far as I know PP was seen by police at the scene, breathalysed in fact. At some point they could easily let him go with a pretty good chance of being able to find him again!

henetha Fri 18-Jan-19 10:16:13

I quite admire Prince Philip's spirit, but I do think at 97 he should confine his driving to the private roads at Sandringham, and other royal estates.
Sun dazzle is a problem, so a friend of mine recently gave me a baseball cap which is marvellous with the peak down low to blot out the sun.

EllanVannin Fri 18-Jan-19 10:18:10

People have to realise that reflex's aren't the same as you get older and as for the younger drivers, they just don't think ! So you have a dangerous mixture on our roads.