Thread: Have I done the right thing?

My elderly father in law just passed his age related NSW driving test. There is a distance limit on his licence now, I think 10ks from memory, just enough for him to drive to town.
I expect the mother in law to fail next year, if she is still alive. She will hate that.

Definitely tell police. Cheers

Stupid laws “can only drive 10km”..
Here that would mean you can have an opportunity to hurt or maim the entire city population.

Either you’re safe to drive or you’re not...

Going to throw in my 2 bobs. Around 25 years ago my father was pulled over by police as he was driving erratically. This was on the Melba Highway at Yering, which in those days was a 100K road, frequented by school mums and interstate lorries. Dad was 89 at the time. We all breathed a huge sigh of relief. Someone else had taken the responsibility. Dad lost his DL due to his inability to pass the medical that VicRoads required. Damn good thing. Trouble is, we, my sisters and I, all had the same thought that your bloke's daughter did. Poor old bloke, he'd lose his independence. Well, that cop did us and the world a favour, and I found myself to be ashamed that I couldn't tell dad that his time was up, as I knew it really was. But, it's a hard call, and a tough decision to take.

Fast forward to January, 2014. I was travelling on Mt Dandenong rd, Croydon Vic. I approached a set of lights which changed to green almost as I arrived. I was hit by an elderly gentleman ( 94 ) who was trying to beat the red right turn arrow. He was hale and hearty, but his judgement was off. I was transported to hospital with neck trauma. He lost his licence as well. I don't know if he got it back.

I know that I am going to hate it when I'm told I can no longer drive, as, like you, it is a part of me. But I think I'll accept it.

If your bloke can pass the various tests and drive again, well and good. If not, it's better for him, and the rest of us, if he's off the road.

Absolutely you did the right thing.

Originally Posted by Tombie

Either you’re safe to drive or you’re not...

Not quite. I know two people who have 'self restricted' as they have serious trouble with driving at night. It's a glare thing, something that I believe you understand. It's made worse for the two of them with these modern headlights.

Agree 100% about a distance qualification though. What difference does that make?

The idea of the distance qualification for my FIL is 10 kms is just far enough for him to drive a couple of quiet country back roads and get to the shops and bank at Lismore, but he can't go anywhere else. Without it he'd be stuck in the bush most of the time.

Originally Posted by DiscoMick

The idea of the distance qualification for my FIL is 10 kms is just far enough for him to drive a couple of quiet country back roads and get to the shops and bank at Lismore, but he can't go anywhere else. Without it he'd be stuck in the bush most of the time.

I get it, and have some sympathy. There used to be similar dispensations for DUI disqualifications. No longer. I don't want to see your FIL stuck at home either. It's a question of where do you draw the line, I guess. My old man was going to kill someone one day. If your FIL does that how will you feel? It's a serious question, Mick. I'm a great one for giving people the chance to live out their lives. I have given up work and spent all my money trying to see mum die in her own home rather than some institution. Unfortunately, though, that cannot always happen.

I agree, in part, but unless you’re telling me no other motorist uses any of the roads occupied by a driver that’s less than capable then I have to say No!

My wife had a crash due to an old woman who couldn’t move her foot quick enough to change between brake and accelerator and had misjudged the turn she wanted to make and turned directly into the path of my wife.

After the accident, it took the woman 5 minutes to turn in the seat, and 10 minutes to walk off the road. Not from injury but just her age and health.

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