Have I done the right thing?

**JDNSW** · 22nd March 2018, 08:13 PM

Originally Posted by Tombie

.....
If you can’t pass a driving test, you shouldn’t be driving - there’s Uber and Taxi for those people.

Definitely. But the question is, how frequently should you require these? Annually? (For all drivers, of course) Or just as they are leaving the pub? (or the dealer?)

Impaired drivers are impaired drivers, but the simple fact is that most of them are not impaired because of old age, but because of something they ingested, or because they have not had enough sleep, or because they are not well. While older drivers are more likely to die in accidents, the same applies to older passengers, simply because their bodies are not as durable as younger ones - for example, bones break more easily in many cases. The statistics show that elderly drivers are under represented, although this is probably partly because they mostly know their limitations and stay within them. Of course there are exceptions, but then there are also exceptions at the other end of the age range - some under twenty-fives are safe drivers!

**Grumbles** · 23rd March 2018, 09:05 AM

I see it all the time in town here. Drivers stopping in the middle of intersections for no reason and just looking around as if bewildered and at times even getting out to look around, crossing double lines to get a parking space or do a 'U' turn, ignoring the 40 and 50 kmh town speed limits - sometimes well over and others well under at crawling pace, parallel parking in 45 degree angle parking places, stopping in the middle of a 'Y' intersection and getting out to pick figs from a wild grown tree on the side of the road, driving the wrong way in a one way street.

No. These are not elderly drivers doing these things but generally drivers of both genders in the 30 to 60 age group and often with kids on board. No. These are not town residents but out of towners.

What I don't see are the towns elderly resident drivers and there are a substantial number of them living here [the town is basically a pensioner/retirement town] and they do nothing illegal or careless which would draw attention to themselves.

DiscoMick · 23rd March 2018, 10:22 AM

Young drivers have far more accidents than elderly drivers, I believe.

**JDNSW** · 23rd March 2018, 03:51 PM

Originally Posted by DiscoMick

Young drivers have far more accidents than elderly drivers, I believe.

Yes, as a group, statistically, older drivers are the safest and under 25s the least safe.

**ozscott** · 23rd March 2018, 09:26 PM

Doesn't change the fact that if you are susceptible to sudden onset fainting or you have insufficient eyesight etc to drive you shouldn't be driving.

Cheers

**JDNSW** · 24th March 2018, 06:05 AM

That is correct, but it is certainly not the case that these are unique to or even common with older drivers, especially ones in NSW that have annual medical examinations.

**trout1105** · 24th March 2018, 08:29 AM

Originally Posted by ozscott

Doesn't change the fact that if you are susceptible to sudden onset fainting or you have insufficient eyesight etc to drive you shouldn't be driving.

Cheers

At least most of the Old Farts haven't got their eyes glued to the screen of their smart phone 90% of the time.

**ozscott** · 24th March 2018, 09:05 AM

Yes all good points. But the smart phone thing is policing and education and as to young people with health problems there isn't enough money to fund health checks each year for the young when statistically the over 70's have a much higher prevalence of disqualifying medical conditions.

Cheers

**cuppabillytea** · 24th March 2018, 08:13 PM

I think I may have thrown in a red herring with the phone business. This thread started out with the question:Should I report an accident involving a potential Alzheimer's sufferer?
It doesn't necessarily follow that all old people are going to become incompetent drivers by default. Some, possibly even many, elderly people remain just as good at the task as ever they were right up until the fall off the perch.
Anyone could, at some stage in their lives, become incapable of driving with sufficient competency, either by physical or mental illness.
The point is that if we come across such an individual we should not let our compassion for them override our concern for the population at large. Give them up for the greater good.
As for all the other bad drivers, I think social media does a good job of bring their incompetence to light.

**martnH** · 19th June 2018, 08:11 AM

You did the right thing.

you may have saved many lives....

It seems his daughter would intend to keep the elderly gentleman driving. Now that is for the benefit of whom?

Thread: Have I done the right thing?

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