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Old guy driving dangerously - should old people retake their test periodically?


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I followed an old guy driving his car in Wath this morning.

He was all over the road icluding on the wrong side round a blind corner.

He had no idea what he was doing.

What is the law about old drivers ? This guy was a danger to himself and anyone else around him.

Should old drivers have to retake a test every couple of years to make sure they are still ok ?

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I'm not absolutely certain about this, but I think it's right;

 

at 70, you have to sign a form declaring that you are medically fit to drive. You don't have to prove it; just sign a form.

 

After that, you can carry on driving until you drop dead. Even at 110, there are no laws to prevent you.

 

Legally, it's your responsibility to inform the DVLA and rescind your own licence if you are no longer fit to drive, for whatever reason; but, as is always the case, a law which isn't enforced is no law at all.

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Most people over 50 would not pass a driving test today,i know i for one would find it very difficult, one saving grace is that you tend to slow down as you get older unlike younger people,insurance companys think older people or a lot better risk than boy races.

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I'm not absolutely certain about this, but I think it's right;

 

at 70, you have to sign a form declaring that you are medically fit to drive. You don't have to prove it; just sign a form.

 

After that, you can carry on driving until you drop dead. Even at 110, there are no laws to prevent you.

 

Legally, it's your responsibility to inform the DVLA and rescind your own licence if you are no longer fit to drive, for whatever reason; but, as is always the case, a law which isn't enforced is no law at all.

That is correct, with the addition of the fact that they then have to do it evry 3 years. There are certain illnesses where you have a legal duty to inform the DVLA, but unfortunately, old age and infirmity are not amongst them!

 

I've said before, and I'll say it again, when it comes time to re-apply for the licence at 70, then some kind of re-test should be made compulsory.

 

I also think that everyone should have to take some form of re-testing every 10 years anyway, not necessarily a full driving test but at least a theory/aptitude test, which if failed should then lead to a driving test being made compulsory.

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I think there are also illnesses where your doctor has a legal responsibility to inform DVLA.

 

Think this was the case with my Grandfather, he sufferred from glaucoma for years. Kept trying to get the doctor to accept how bad it was for him and then complained "they've taken my licence off me!"

 

Got to admit, I'd been in the car with him not long before this. It was a frightening experience. He thought he was OK even though he was just doing 20 in a 40mph area and not maintaining the same position on the road.

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That is correct, with the addition of the fact that they then have to do it evry 3 years. There are certain illnesses where you have a legal duty to inform the DVLA, but unfortunately, old age and infirmity are not amongst them!

 

I've said before, and I'll say it again, when it comes time to re-apply for the licence at 70, then some kind of re-test should be made compulsory.

 

I also think that everyone should have to take some form of re-testing every 10 years anyway, not necessarily a full driving test but at least a theory/aptitude test, which if failed should then lead to a driving test being made compulsory.

 

Nothing to do with the fact that people might fail the test every 10 years and have to come back to you for lessons, eh? ;)

 

Nice business plan, that one! :)

 

Old people should be banned from the road. Once you get your free buss pass, they should take your driving licence away.

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I get a lift to work by an old driver (70) and the ammount of crap he courses is embarssing, pulling in front of people (not at low speeds, i mean when a cars coming up from a distance at 40mph) and he just pulls out and expects him to slow down, He users bus lanes, he can't see cyclists and always nearly knocks them off, theres been times where ive had to close my eyes.

 

 

I think older drivers think they have more rights on a road.

 

WHAT A BUNCH OF NOUNCERS

 

(p.s I CANT SPEEL)

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