there is loads of fir brigades, police ambulances near cathedral tram stop in sheffield centre, anyone know what all the fuss is about?? yeah im nosey!!

I saw a car parked on the tram tracks, it looked like the front end had been smashed (not too bad) and there was an old fella being helped out of the car. Don't know what exactly happened though - the engine was smoking so that could explain the fire engines.

some bloke in a car ran onto the tram tracks apparently. saw him being put into an ambulance and he seemed ok.

i've seen loads of people drive down the tracks over the years.

numptys all of them

The area around the cathedral is now cordoned off with police tape. Dont know if it is the same accident, but it is due to a bollard being knoecked over, however this is on the side of the cathedral opposite the employment agency and the old AA shop.

Three Ambassadors stood round just looking at it, probably want to fine the person responsible £50 for dropping a bollard on to the floor.

an old man passed out behind the wheel and careered into a bollard, flew down the cathedral steps and skidded onto tram traacks. someone i work with pulled him out of car but apparently he is ok

Im glad the old fella is alright. Admittedly i dont know exactly what happened but the number of accidents that old people in cars seem to be involved in is crazy!
I dont want to provoke the wrath of any silver surfers so I will qualify that point....
Older people DO have a lot of experience and the vast majority are safe, curtious and considerate drivers but there does come a point where these skills begin to fail and that puts everyone in danger.
My grandfather continued to drive well into his 80's and in his case he should really stopped in his 70's cos he started to lose his eyesight and his ability to control the car as he got more frail.
Wouldnt it be sensible to have a compulsory re-test when people get to pension claiming age then say every 5 or 10 years after that. Maybe it would help to make the roads safer.......?

Originally posted by poimaster
Wouldnt it be sensible to have a compulsory re-test when people get to pension claiming age then say every 5 or 10 years after that. Maybe it would help to make the roads safer.......?


It would be a good idea for all drivers to be re-tested every five years irrespective of age.

Only problem would be that the government would decide to implement a tax and once again the motorist would be fleeced.

would have been far worse if the weather was hot, area was packed yesterday with office workers having lunch in the sun.

i was sat right in that spot yesterday with my mate.......cant image the carnage if it had happened yesterday!!!!:gag: :gag: :gag: :gag: :gag:

should old people be allowed on the road? I think not - one ran into me (well one's car ran into me) - he had got out of it after hitting another vehicle and left it in drive and it came to rest against my parked vehicle - and he had the cheek to suggest it was my fault , the other car he'd hit fault or a fault with his handbreak - took ages for the insurance company to sort it out as he tried to get away with giving false details - got him in the end however - just can't trust them...

I heard he took ill at the wheel - could happen to anyone.

Should anyone under 25 be allowed on the road its them that cause the majority of accidents not the oldies.

Originally posted by Internetowl
should old people be allowed on the road? I think not - one ran into me (well one's car ran into me) - he had got out of it after hitting another vehicle and left it in drive and it came to rest against my parked vehicle - and he had the cheek to suggest it was my fault , the other car he'd hit fault or a fault with his handbreak - took ages for the insurance company to sort it out as he tried to get away with giving false details - got him in the end however - just can't trust them...
I'm only hoping some of this is tongue in cheek? Old/young/male/female.. can all be dangerous on the road. Ageism, along with sexism, racism etc is an unqualified and generalist ignorance. There are many old people on the road who are safe, experienced, legal and honest drivers.. equally there are many drivers, young and old who are none of these, but let's not label someone just because they are 'old'!

Now reported in The Star (http://www.sheffieldtoday.net/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=58&ArticleID=1066813)

Originally posted by levogyre
an old man passed out behind the wheel and careered into a bollard, flew down the cathedral steps and skidded onto tram traacks. someone i work with pulled him out of car but apparently he is ok

Perhaps they should put signs up in the city centre rather like those on the motorway. "Take a break - don't drive tired!". These could be embellished with arrows to the nearest tea shop.

Originally posted by poimaster
Wouldnt it be sensible to have a compulsory re-test when people get to pension claiming age then say every 5 or 10 years after that. Maybe it would help to make the roads safer.......?

They already do, when you reach 70, you have a re-test, then i think its one every year after, or it it every 2 years.

Joel

the doctor (normally his own gp) decides - a lot of these drivers have never took a test in their lives....they are not likely to start at 70 are they...