Old drivers create chaos on the roads

In my local area I have nearly been hit twice In the last month by elderly drivers , luckly I know my local area very well.

I really think If young drivers have to take the theory test the eldery need to aswell because they are even more dangerous simply this Is how It should work In my oppion when you reach 65 your made to retake the hazard perception test and If you fail you don't get your licence back until you pass It.

the eldery help raise insurance premiums and make everyone else suffer as much as young drivers.

I agree with the original poster however flashing your lights, blowing your horn, tailgating won't get them to change what they're doing.

It's worse when you're being tailgated for doing the speed limit but i'm afraid such situations will only prolong the 'hell' for the person tailgating/flashing because i'll just keep on going at the same speed. In fact, just thought of something even worse. Being tailgated when you're going over the speed limit. In which case, i'll slow down.

Whilst speed plays a part in RTA's, it's not just down to speed that they happen. People who don't concentrate or are miles away are equally to blame for not focusing on the road ahead and their surroundings.

I do get frustrated at people who insist on not maintaining the speed limit, especially in the national speed limit zones of a single carriageway. The fact they're going slower poses more danger I reckon because people who want to do the speed limit who are following the slower drivers get aggitated and that's when people attempt dangerous and risky manouvres on blind bends, blind summits etc or too close to cars approaching.

Oh and I don't believe in accidents, accident's don't just happen. Somewhere along the chain of events is someone to blame, who caused the chain to occur in the first place.

I'm a 23 year old car (and occasional bus) driver of 5 years and not had a collision yet, touch wood, that hasn't been my fault. The one collision happened 4 months ago where a female driver in her, at a guess, early 60's pulled from a queue of standing traffic into my lane, I had just passed her when she pulled out and took a swipe at the nearside rear quarter panel, bumper and rear wheel. Plenty of my other gripes are listed on here somewhere and it's such a comfort to know that i'm not the only one with such gripes.

Very few people so far have got the facts correct. Older drivers do indeed know their limitations and drive accordingly. This is far better than haring along to meet your destiny with the mortuary slabs that others have talked about. There is no law against driving 5 or 10 mph below the limit.
However, a few statements highlighted problems that are a typical facet of modern life....the bullish salesman rushing to cover as many miles as possible in an hour; couriers fitting two day's work into one........that shouldnt be happening anyway. People are being pressurised by bosses into taking risks on the road that really shouldn't be taken....tailgating, light-flashing, etc etc.....all I say, when this happens to me when I'm doing 65 on a road is b****r off.
Older people, having retired, don't have those pressures. But that doesnt take away their right to use the road, so... all you speed-merchants, on yer bike, cut down the adrenalin-fix and remember.....you will also reach age 70 one day, and I'll bet you'd fight tooth and claw to keep yer driving licence! So don't foist the idea on everyone else who's heading that way.

I would,nt say ryan was mentally challenged,I would say just plain thick, if he is a driver,which I very much doubt, I only hope his driving is a lot better than his spelling, if it is,nt, and he lives in the north, I have no doubt we will meet someday although he wont know anything about it ..

I think Ryan should be banned from using a computer because his spelling and English in general is pretty poor! There again, maybe he is only four years old or perhaps even mentally challenged. Yes, that's it - he's mentally challenged!

I think old people should not drive cos there reaction time and they dont know where the foot peddle is they think the brake pedle is the throtale peddle THANK YOU .

I would say that all the car adverts and over sized engine capacities are the cause of poor driving.
Remember"The one in front is a *oyoto"and Topgear encouraging people to drive cars capableof 200 mph.
Motor cycleadverts that show machines weaving in and out ,a lot of drivers do this at 70+mph.
Personally I,m 63 and would prefere to get there in one piece not just a couple of minutes before anyone else.

Freddie
I agree 100% with your comments, however, afew years ago I was employed as a long distance driver making deliveries to all parts of the country, and indeed to other countries.I never had much time to spare and was rarely at home, it was through this rat race that I decided that enough was enough, when I took the job I have now I must admit I had profound reservations, my first encounter with a victim of an RTA was an 18yr old youth and his female passenger, I learned later that owing to the speed he was travelling he ran into the rear end of a stationary HGV,it was a waste of two young lives and from that day to this I rarely drive over the speed limit.I often think that if some of these young drivers were able to see what both you and I have seen it may have the desired effect, It would be a harsh lesson to learn, but maybe worth it.
Regards

Personally...and having attended numerous RTAs over the years, I can speak with some authoriy on this, I don't believe speed is the cause of accidents. I believe that accidents are caused by individuals that exercise poor judgement when driving. As you get older you become more aware of your own and your vehicles limitations. You take less chances!
In order to create balance though it is important to recognise that there are drivers out there that are dangerous because they drive so slowly. Whilst most elderly drivers are as safe as anybody else there are those that should no longer be driving but continue to do so. These drivers often cause frustration in others that results in poor decision making and risk taking. Younger people tend to drive faster because the pace of their modern lives is generally faster. The sales rep has to cover a lot of miles to do their job and cannot afford to dally. The courier that has to fit two days work in to one every day etc. etc. When stuck behind a slow driver that does not need to hurry they will inevitably exercise poor judgement.
Young or old there are bad drivers everywhere.

Well said Handyman. Facts are facts, and the facts show that in the main it is young or younger people who end up on your slab due to an RTA.

Disgruntled driver, for someone who works in A+E I would think a little more tolerance would,nt come amiss.I also work in a hospital,although not in A+E but as a mortuary attendant.It is surprising how many young drivers pass through our department on their way to the motorway in the sky, some as young as 15 who should,nt have been driving in the first place,Iwould go as far as say that 70% of RTA accidents that result in a visit to my department are all under the age of 30. I dont think it fair to say that once a person reaches the age of 70 their licenses should be recinded.I would imagine in both our jobs we have seen some gruesome sights that should never have occured,but I say live and let live, matterless of age.
Kind regards.

Yuri, I have been to your homeland on several occasions delivering xmas parcels,(no,not santa clause) but as a long distance driver.Some of the cars I,ve seen on your roads dont look capable of reaching 60 kmh let alone travel at that speed.I,m afraid you,ve spent to much time in orbit.