topic Re: Elderly drivers - if and when should they be re-tested? in Community Spirit

Elderly drivers - if and when should they be re-tested?

givemeaspell — Fri, 15 Jan 2016 08:11:02 GMT

I used to be a regular poster on these boards, however been MIA for a while. However just wondering what peoples thoughts are on licences with elderly. There have been quite a few accidents recently, accelorator being mistaken for brake etc. I know there are also alot of accidents with P Platers. However, when should someone give up driving? Who makes that decision? Speaking to a local shop owner the other day and he told me about a guy that is very unstead on his feet and in his opinion should not be driving, is it the shop keepers responsibility to report him? Have people had to tell elderly parents they should no longer be driving (when the time comes?)

interested in thoughts.

Re: Elderly drivers - if and when should they be re-tested?

kopenhagen5 — Fri, 15 Jan 2016 08:31:20 GMT

Seems to be an increase in those acc/brake mix ups.

I did a little research amongst the local community and I found one of the main causes. If not THE cause.

Many elderly, being tired in their limbs have resorted to using left foot on the brake and the right foot on the accelerator. (auto car)

Aleviating the need to lift the leg.

Therefore in a situation needing quick thinking the driver will spontaneously use the foot they are accustomed to from many decades of driving, being the right foot thinking they are going to brake as that is what they might have just done seconds before, but not realizing they braked with their left, the "new way". They think their right foot is ON the brake.

I am in the process of forwading my findings to VICROADS and RACV.

There needs to be a service set up within the licence provider for elderly to be tested at a certain age (possibly regular tests afterwards) and for family members to be able to recommend a test for a loved one should they need to be tested at an earlier age.

Re: Elderly drivers - if and when should they be re-tested?

givemeaspell — Fri, 15 Jan 2016 08:43:57 GMT

that makes sense. we are in this situation at the moment. However we had him tested at the docs and he passed the memory test (count backward by 7's, what day is it etc) but that was a good day. he doesn't want to give up and it is very difficult to take away someone's independence, its heartbreaking actually. 83 years old, reflexes not what they were, mind not as sharp, doc says just drive locally....very frustrating.

Re: Elderly drivers - if and when should they be re-tested?

kopenhagen5 — Fri, 15 Jan 2016 08:53:40 GMT

Definitely a tough one.

Lets hope it comes to him admitting he should hang up the keys before something happens.

Perhaps check to see if he is using both feet and also look at the routes he uses to make suggestions for less traffic and easier parking. In other words help him to find easier ways of doing what he needs to do. That's what I do with my father.

Re: Elderly drivers - if and when should they be re-tested?

cee-dee — Fri, 15 Jan 2016 10:14:06 GMT

We've not long ago had this discussion in the UK so I thought you all might be interested in what was said over here:-

http://community.ebay.co.uk/t5/The-Round-Table/Should-drivers-over-70/m-p/4521349#U4521349

By the way, people who drive a car with auto transmission should have learned LONG ago to only use ONE foot.

Re: Elderly drivers - if and when should they be re-tested?

imastawka — Fri, 15 Jan 2016 10:19:37 GMT

Drive with your foot on the brake, you'll kill your transmission quick smart

Re: Elderly drivers - if and when should they be re-tested?

givemeaspell — Fri, 15 Jan 2016 10:24:10 GMT

my fathers doctor is as old as he is, no wonder he thinks he should still drive.

Re: Elderly drivers - if and when should they be re-tested?

lurker172602 — Fri, 15 Jan 2016 10:43:42 GMT

My FiL had his license taken off him a while ago. Not because anything had happened, but as a precaution before it did.

He was VERY cross and had no hesitation in telling the world about it. It's a hard thing to do, but necessary sometimes.

Regarding there being a mandatory age, as was suggested here in NSW recently, I don't agree. Why 70? Why not 73 or 68? I deliver meals on wheels and some of our drivers are over 70 and extremely capable drivers.

Maybe everyone's driving ability should be tested on a regular basis, not just the elderly?

Re: Elderly drivers - if and when should they be re-tested?

lind9650 — Fri, 15 Jan 2016 11:07:39 GMT

My husband has been a professional driver all his adult life. He still has his Bus and Heavy Vehicle liscence, but he had to go for medical and drivers tests when he turned 70, as he was still driving Buses at that time. He is 78 now and still a confident driver, but he agreed to stop driving when I start to get nervous when in the car with him.

My next door neighbour used to drive her car well into her late 80s. Once upon a time I enjoyed to go with her shopping or to meetings, but eventually I realised that her reflexes were not as they should be and her concentration on traffic was questionable. I gave up going with her as it made me nervous and insecure. Eventually her family convinced her to get rid of the car. She will be 91 this year, but I think if she had continued driving, she may not be here anymore.

It is not only a medical check that people need once over 70, I believe a drivers test is absolutely neccessary as roads and road rules change all the time.The rules that were when my husband was 18 and got his liscence have long changed since then. 60 years ago there where no Freeways, no Toll zones, not so many different speed limits.

My suggestion would be for everyone to have a compulsory medical and drivers test once over 70 and then every two years after. People suffer with vision impairment, hearing loss, angina attacks etc. etc. and need to be made acountable for their actions. If the law takes their drivers liscence way because of failing the tests, then no family or friend can be blamed. Only the driver will have to admit to Police that they are not fit to drive safely any more.

It's a hard thing to take away what a driver thinks are his/her legs, but something sensible has to be done by the Government to change the driving laws.

Erica

Re: Elderly drivers - if and when should they be re-tested?

lyndal1838 — Fri, 15 Jan 2016 16:08:33 GMT

I chickened out when it was time for my father to stop driving.

When he was due to get his medical done I had a word with his doctor that his sight was not as good as it should be.

He very kindly broke the news to Dad that he could not pass him medically fit because of his eyes. Dad was cranky but accepted the inevitable and gave his car to his youngest granddaughter.

Even if his eyes were better I doubt that his reflexes would have passed muster.

He had had a fall some months before and had not driven for many months.....I doubt if he realised how much he had deteriorated in that time.

Re: Elderly drivers - if and when should they be re-tested?

little-bits-of-happiness — Fri, 15 Jan 2016 17:20:41 GMT

Elderly drivers get a bad wrap. A lot of those accidents recorded are not the eldery persons fault.

Most elderly people only need their car to drive to the shops and such occasions and this car is freedom to them. Even if they are not perfect in their skills i believe they are good enough to be on the roads within reason.

There are ways around it for example. The elderly person could choose to travel to the shops at offpeak hours and park away from traffic. The difference between your own car and taxies and buses is multitudes away and i believe we should allow senior citizens a break.

I am not saying they can go driving across state, but from point A to B driving slowly and carefully and taking the least congested roads, i see no harm in it.

Re: Elderly drivers - if and when should they be re-tested?

givemeaspell — Fri, 15 Jan 2016 19:57:43 GMT

Every case is indeed different and thats why I believe after a certain age that mandatory testing should come in. Perhaps a limited licence can then be giving as you suggest only driving locally, between certain hours etc. It is not easy to suggest to a parent that they should not be driving anymore, even after a few near misses my father believes he is still okay to drive. twice I have spoken to the docs and he still has his licence. Im sure this goes on in quite a number of families and creates a lot of angst.

Re: Elderly drivers - if and when should they be re-tested?

lyndal1838 — Fri, 15 Jan 2016 20:31:29 GMT

But at what age do we decide that a person is not fit to drive....and why?

My husband is 73 and drives for a living. He is a courier and is on the road from 5.30am to 8pm and still has a lifetime maximum no claim bonus on his insurance.

Most couriers find it almost impossible to be on the road long enough to earn the maximum NCB, let alone a lifetime one.

With the government making the pension age higher there is sure to be more older drivers on the road. You can't tell people they have to work longer but only drive round their local area.

Re: Elderly drivers - if and when should they be re-tested?

jean2579 — Fri, 15 Jan 2016 20:33:43 GMT

It is very difficult living in a country or regional area where public transport is non existent.

In our case to get to the local bus stop involves a very long walk which my husband cannot manage.

The alternative of a cab involves a fee of $30each way making for a very expensive day out.

Once I can no longer drive we will be effectively isolated in our home.

I do not know the answer.

Re: Elderly drivers - if and when should they be re-tested?

givemeaspell — Fri, 15 Jan 2016 20:57:53 GMT

@lyndal1838 wrote:
But at what age do we decide that a person is not fit to drive....and why?
My husband is 73 and drives for a living. He is a courier and is on the road from 5.30am to 8pm and still has a lifetime maximum no claim bonus on his insurance.
Most couriers find it almost impossible to be on the road long enough to earn the maximum NCB, let alone a lifetime one.

With the government making the pension age higher there is sure to be more older drivers on the road. You can't tell people they have to work longer but only drive round their local area.

73 is the new 60 Lyndal! Your hubby is obv a good driver, I think 70's are fine, I think perhaps once you hit 80 then at least a thorough medical is required, testing reflexes, hearing, eyesight etc.

Re: Elderly drivers - if and when should they be re-tested?

givemeaspell — Fri, 15 Jan 2016 21:02:39 GMT

@jean2579 wrote:
It is very difficult living in a country or regional area where public transport is non existent.
In our case to get to the local bus stop involves a very long walk which my husband cannot manage.
The alternative of a cab involves a fee of $30each way making for a very expensive day out.
Once I can no longer drive we will be effectively isolated in our home.
I do not know the answer.

Jean, are you eliigible for half price taxis? think a doctor can organise this if one has medical issues. I know it can still be expensive but at least it's half the cost.

I understand where you are coming from as my mother is very upset at the prospect of my father no longer driving. As she hasn't driven for over 30 years (and we encouraged her to keep up her driving but my father insisted on doing the driving, she then lost her confidence). She is similar to you in feeling they will lose their independence, its very difficult I understand that.

Re: Elderly drivers - if and when should they be re-tested?

bluecat*dancing — Sat, 16 Jan 2016 01:07:02 GMT

Just wanted to say hello.

Accidents at the local shops tend to be caused by the elderly mistaking the accelerator for the brake and going through shop windows.

Re: Elderly drivers - if and when should they be re-tested?

opmania — Sat, 16 Jan 2016 01:23:20 GMT

Many things are twisted here,

Has little or nothing to do with knickers.

Re: Elderly drivers - if and when should they be re-tested?

bluecat*dancing — Sat, 16 Jan 2016 01:56:26 GMT

It must be hard to convince a loved one that they need to give up something that gives them a sense of independence. Neither of my parents made it past 74, so, we didn't have to deal with that issue but my ex FIL has only recently given up driving at the age of 91. It was his choice. He was worried that at his age, he was becoming increasingly at risk of having a heart attack and didn't want to cause an accident so he decided to give up driving. He misses the independence and feels redundant but knows that it is for the best.He has numerous children and grandchildren who are more than happy to drive him wherever he wants to go but it is not the same..

It varies from person to person.

Re: Elderly drivers - if and when should they be re-tested?

gec2002 — Sat, 16 Jan 2016 05:14:05 GMT

We should ban all drivers over 70

and if there are still accidents ban all over 60 year olds

and if there are still accidents ban all over 50 year olds

and keep dropping the age if there are still accidents

I guarantee this would eventually stop all accidents