Motorists over 70 who are in poor health are facing ban on night time driving in a licence shake up. They will only be able to travel up to 30 miles from their home.
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Considering that the statistics show that more 18-25yr old males are involved in accidents (both fatal and non-fatal) than us oldies, why not propose similar bans on them at the same time?
That will be a shame for some drivers who are over 70 and competent , I don’t drive more than 10 miles these days so I should be ok :-).
Having once driven anywhere in the UK I have ‘lost my nerve’ and this is not improved by lack of practice 
I don’t feel safe driving far with bad mannered ‘racing driver’ types around everywhere these days .
With the retirement age being forever raised, people will need to travel for work. This proposal appears agist and discriminatory. Poor health is a different thing and can effect people of all age groups, not just the over 70s.
That said, I think most of us know people of a ‘certain age’ who should no longer be allowed behind the wheel of a car.
What I would prefer to see is a more stringent regular assessment of capability to drive once licences require to be renewed at 70.
I suppose it comes with years of experience. Older drivers, while often causing accidents, seem to have the knack of not actually participating in them. They just do something totally unexpected, and then trundle away from the mayhem they have left behind them. I’ve not mastered the skill yet, so I need to get a move on, as I will be coming of age in the not too distant future. 
That is very true. The boy racers who travel at 70 down our 30mph limit road on a regular basis are all young.
I don’t disagree with the present system of over-70s being checked for suitability to drive safely every three years, especially with regard to eyesight.
I actually lost the right to drive for four months due to that ruling - unnecessarily (but due to my own fault for being too honest) as it happens. I shall not go into that now, having mentioned it elsewhere on the forum before now.
However, unless there is an actual reason why over-70s drivers shouldn’t drive, I can see no logical reason why we (er, I’m only 68 yet) should be limited to the distance we may drive.
I fall into that group, age and medically. I know my limitations, so driving for me is rare and only involves short distances, I think I read somewhere that most accidents happen within 30 miles of the home anyway. Come the end of lockdown or the easing of the rules I might be tempted to get back out though.
The distance limit for the elderly should be set so that they are never more than 15 minutes away from their own toilet. Unless, of course, their driver’s seat has been fitted with a commode conversion.
in poor health??? who decides that? the police- doctors- family disputes.
Does that mean because you have a bad cold this will apply all year?
Yet another brain dead politician no doubt who can’t think through all the situations.
As I had a bad time in hospital a few years back does that mean this should apply? Wot a load of BS to make some little shrimp look big
You ran over my foot on a crossing, three days ago. :shock:
You’ll have to be more specific than that if you want me to recall the incident, Longdogs. Were you the one with the white stick, the one who shouted wer, or the one who threw a half house brick at me, and also shouted wer?
Ooh it might have been, I can’t remember all of it. :-p
Well it couldn’t have been two days ago. That was the man who was still on the pavement, tying his shoelace. You wouldn’t be able to use your computer keyboard had that been you.
I don’t know what the fuss is about.
NSW Drivers 75 or over require a medical certificate each year to continue driving, additionally their eyesight is also tested when they renew their licence (every three or five years) though it is part of the medical certificate.
Once a driver reaches 80 they need to take a driving test every year to continue driving trucks.
At 85 every driver has to pass a driving test every 2 years or they have to accept a limited licence for use within 10km of their house.
All that assumes that they receive a medical certificate as mentioned in the first item.
I’m over 75 now and still driving, only in daylight hours, and usually local, but when I am out it’s the young racers with the loud exhausts who scare the sh— out of me …I don’t know how some of them passed their driving tests…
Night driving is becoming difficult for me so wherever I am I always leave well before dark. I have cataracts but am told it will be at least 2 years before I’m referred . I have tried yellow glasses and they sort of help. I drive a mini and am low to the road and the lights glare especially if its wet . Some car lights actually hurt my eyes especially those really bright ones which shouldn’t be allowed.
I think we all know when we feel safe to drive in good or failing health
Unfortunately nothing is done about them, although I’m sure that not only their speeding but also their removed silencers are illegal.
Police too busy taking the knee to certain people, I suppose.
I am almost 78 and keep myself in rather good shape, but after both cataracts were replaced with plastic lenses, I do not drive when dusk sets in until it’s light again the next day. My night vision is very good, but the oncoming headlights do cause a ring effect in my vision, so I will not drive at night. I have spoken to others who have undergone cataract ops and several have noticed the same effect as me, but most still carry on driving at night so are a hazard to other road users.
Right on Herbal !!
Donkeyman!
Isn’t that what empty cola bottles are for? 