Old People should be re tested.

[wanda]

Specially for eye sight. The Mrs had the car yesterday and was about to pull out of a parking space when "Old man Jenkins" forced his way through and reversed to the space in front of her. and reversed at Clio sport speeds and " CRUNCH "



Worst of all he tried to drive off. Luckily someone saw the incident and knocked on his window by the next traffic lights and told him to go back. Luckily for him the grey bumper bit saved him or......



Actually made me think, if I had a sports bumper like the ones on the R26 would it have been dented[:?:]

[anth_dci]

i think everyone should be retested every 5-10 years. People who took their test 10 years ago could pass at a much lower standard.

More people taking tests = more examiners = more jobs, + better drivers on the road, i dont see a down side.

[steve the postman]

Got to agree to a certain degree about retests but would that not be ANOTHER stealth tax on the motorist?
Would ensuring all drivers had valid tax insurance mot and licence be worth while?
Steve

[Toosh]

i dont see a down side.

I do, Cost of test?

Yet more money for the motorist has to fork out

[Ray]

i know in Hong Kong that normal licences are valid for 10 yrs, at 70 it then goes to annual.
that is just for the photocard though but i was told you need to do a refresher type course or similar just to prove you can still drive sensibily.

re: eyesight/health, the only way to make it compulsary is to have a medical similar to what private pilots have i guess.

[wanda]

I was thinking more of people over 70. But yes you are right if they start at seventy next thing you know every second year you have to re test at £100 a go. It a wonder, a bit like when you see pot holes on the road and you hear £80 billion was raised through motorists and under £10 billion was spent on roads.

[busternlouie]

A good argument for euthanasia methinks.

[nickbell69]

I was thinking more of people over 70. But yes you are right if they start at seventy next thing you know every second year you have to re test at £100 a go. It a wonder, a bit like when you see pot holes on the road and you hear £80 billion was raised through motorists and under £10 billion was spent on roads.

Best not get started on pot holes. after all the snow and frost over Winter the roads round here seem to be falling apart more than ever. Be interesting to see how many get filled over next few months(not many i suspect).

As for older drivers my dad recently had an episode and they took his licence off him for 12 months(medical grounds). Consequently my mum has had to start driving again so they can get around. Not too bad but she hasn't driven for about 20 years
Scary to think she can just get straight behind the wheel without any refresher.

[anth_dci]

i dont see a down side.

I do, Cost of test?

Yet more money for the motorist has to fork out

if it makes everyone on the road better drivers and safer than its worth it.

[Toosh]

i dont see a down side.

I do, Cost of test?

Yet more money for the motorist has to fork out

if it makes everyone on the road better drivers and safer than its worth it.

Agreed. Im not an old biddie by a long stretch but when i do get old i wont be wanting to pay for another test.
The test should be free at say 70 years old then if you fail then pay for lessons?

[wanda]

I agree. it should be free. Call it a driving check up.

[andywills]

when or if i reach 70, i wont be driving, i'll be milking that free bus pass

[wanda]

Well you work all your life inorder to enjoy your pension so would like to drive but only if I can

[Stranger]

At the moment once a driver is over 70 years of age they have to submit a letter from their GP every 3 years to say that they are still fit to drive and a simple driving check should be arranged.

I can't believe that it could not already be financially viable for government to fund this, what with the amount of money that the motorist pays

[Bumpy macaroon]

I will not be driving at 70, thats where my kids come in, Dads taxi will have a whole new meaning....