Prior to the pandemic, local councils in the borough contacted registered organisations for those over 60 and provided literature to be passed around members and on to non-members. It was very successful, since those who had taken the opportunity for appraisal relayed their positive experiences to friends and relatives - I was informed by a friend.
This may be out of date now but, in the North-West, driving assessment centres were easy to find:
I think the individual would have to recognise that their driving standards were falling short of what is acceptable, not easy if you have no one to tell you
I have two friends who, in general discussion, have questioned whether their elderly fathers should still be driving. However, they also realise that if their parents were no longer able to drive then the onus would be on them to taxi their parents about!
I am also aware of another friend who approached her parent’s GP and requested his help in persuading her father that he should give up driving, but the GP wouldn’t ‘interfere’.
Surely the answer would be for those over a specified age to be tested for eyesight and speed of reactions every so often?
I lost all confidence when I was “ordered” by the eye surgeon never to drive again .18 months later I took the DVLA eye sight test and passed easily so got my licence back., What I really want to know is can an eye surgeon order you not to drive? mine did and said the DLVA would be informed they never were but stupid like I surrendered my licence to drive
Last_Tango there is already a requirement to have an eye sight test every 3 years if over 70 to be able to drive and also not allowed to drive a vehicle seating 15+ people without a driving test for that
purpose
Far better to test youngsters after first 2 years as they have very little road skilled up to then
My driving skills are legendary, I had an Annual High Speed Driving test until I took early retirement and then for the years after that when I could have had to return if necessary.
I sailed through it, even though I have minimal vision in my right eye.
When I say my driving was legendary, it was, but not in a positive way.
I was and still am, useless at parking.
It was the subject of many jokes and some video pranks.
I think another problem many older drivers have, is their flexibility. Many cannot turn their neck/body round too see what’s coming when pulling out, or reversing into the kerb for parking.
No Mups, when I drove vans you couldn’t see out of the back so you had to get used to using your mirrors. When I went to work for Royal Mail it was one of the requirements if you wanted to drive their vehicles.
Yes, I forgot I’ve got those sensors which bleep too, but only on the back, not the front as well.
I wonder what it would cost to have front ones added now?
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