MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
We will be in touch
I regularly ride through Sandringham and West Newton either on the way up to or back from the coast. Might have to find an alternative route now just to be on the safe side.
Stop the duffer driving I'd say. Bet he won't face any 'charges' if at fault.
"Young, predominantly male, drivers are much more likely to crash within six months of passing their test than older drivers within six months of hanging up their keys.
What?
Old bloke (similar age) down the road from us managed to flip his car onto its roof on a dead straight road in a 30 zone with no other vehicles involved. Christ only knows how he managed it! It was a shitty little Punto too
It's madness that there aren't retests as you get older. Maybe should face one every decade after passing?
Stop the duffer driving I’d say. Bet he won’t face any ‘charges’ if at fault.
Yup!
Doubtful his wife would prosecute him
My FIL was a liability in his later years. Kept 'chips away' busy with minor repairs to a new car.
I wouldn't be surprised if he wasn't supposed to be driving,
I was told by someone in the know , nudge, nudge, that he was totally senile
Let's not make this an issue about this particular driver.
ALL drivers should be retested, say every 10 years up to the age of 60, then every 5 years to 70, then maybe every 2 years.
The bottom line is that young drivers kill and seriously injure many more than older drivers.
How many young drivers are there conmpared to older drivers?
I think we should all take a test every 10 years and over 60 every 5 years.
Driving without duke care
The bottom line is that young drivers kill and seriously injure many more than older drivers.
Then test them more as well. And limit the power of their vehicles. They already lose their licences easier and have high insurance premiums.
Is the lead suspect a Mrs May of London? She has a royal baby on the way, this would have given here a week or so
I think we should all take a test every 10 years and over 60 every 5 years.
So how would people perform in a driving test knowing their livelihood depends on it? People might be required to give up employment and move house because of nerves on the day. It might even end marriages.
So how would people perform in a driving test knowing their livelihood depends on it?
Sounds like a good test then, how do these people cope with a complex and dangerous task such as driving now?
Mrs Nobeer is an ophthalmic nurse, mainly elderly patients in for macular degeneration.
Treatment generally involves eyeball injections, which has obvious side effects on vision. Most of them drive in and home, there's no mechanism to stop people driving, the onus is on the driver.
Utter madness.
How many 97 years are still driving? I too wonder if he was meant to be. If there was any 97 in the country with no need to actually do the driving himself and the removal of the ability to do so would not limit his ability to get around and be independent you'd think it would be that one. Photo on the BBC about the story is of Philip driving the Obamas and queenie in a range rover at 94 - that must have generated some teeth sucking with the US security types.
He needs to be prosecuted if found at fault. Either that or given immunity which would play rather nicely for us anti royalists.
He needs to be prosecuted if found at fault.
Wonder if there were witnesses?
Sounds like a good test then, how do these people cope with a complex and dangerous task such as driving now?
They would ordinarily cope well. I still disagree though.
Imagine the shame and heart ache caused when you tell you partner that you may have to give up your employment and the family move house and cut back on the types of meals for the kids because you clipped a kerb during a parallel parking manoeuvre after 25 years of driving with no accidents.
Somehow I doubt he will be found at fault, wonder whether he was beathylized.
I cycle through West Newton / Sandringham on the way to see my folks in Hunstanton. I'll check whether Philip is in residence before I do it again.
i know it's possibly not fashionable, but shouldn't we wait a while before blaming either party?
He is old, but we don't know anything about the other people in the accident; knowing the area, they could well be even older!
He needs to be prosecuted if found at fault.
How many car accidents where nobody was seriously hurt end up with anyone being prosecuted normally ?
Assuming no breath tests failed.
So how would people perform in a driving test knowing their livelihood depends on it?
I passed my last one.
we don’t know anything about the other people in the accident
The other driver has apparently been identified as a Mr Al Fayed.
Let's see how willing you bunch of ****s are to hand in your licences or take tests every couple of years when you get older.
because you clipped a kerb during a parallel parking manoeuvre after 25 years of driving with no accidents.
Is that a fail on current test? Nobody said there would not be a retest. But most importantly driving is not a right.
Let’s see how willing you bunch of **** are to hand in your licences or take tests every couple of years when you get older.
Happy to. If you are not safe you are not safe.
shouldn’t we wait a while before blaming either party
BURN HIM!!!!!
Let’s see how willing you bunch of **** are to hand in your licences or take tests every couple of years when you get older.
Doesn't matter if your willing or not. Take the test and pass it or stop driving. ****.
Edit: except my father in law. He is needs to drive to collect my kids from school
Imagine the shame and heart ache caused when you tell you partner that you may have to give up your employment and the family move house and cut back on the types of meals for the kids because you clipped a kerb during a parallel parking manoeuvre after 25 years of driving with no accidents.
Imagine the heartache/shame of going home to tell your partner you've ****ted some poor sod on a bike because red means "just two more"
It wouldn't have to be the same test.
First stage... Produce doctor and eyetest results stating you are medically capable.
Second stage... theory and hazard perception. If you fail this you can retest.
With a three month window to achieve this before your 10yr is up.
And a random fail mode to get rid of the unlucky drivers.
So how would people perform in a driving test knowing their livelihood depends on it?
Somehow every taxi / bus / truck driver manages on a regular basis.
Even many (myself included) were annually checked by boss, and routinely checked by others.
I'd happily take a test, particularly when you consider the responsibility that driving requires. It may also make people realise the priveledge it is.
I'm sure there could be a simple 'three attempts and you're out until you pass one' rule.
If you are not safe you are not safe.
There's no idea whether he was safe or not at the moment. Only those involved will know. Anything else is speculation; similar to 'the other car driver had a heart attack' or 'the other car driver swerved to avoid a deer/barn owl/cyclist'
Course, I may come out of this looking silly in a day or so.
Let’s see how willing you bunch of **** are to hand in your licences or take tests every couple of years when you get older.
No bother. Did we hit a nerve?
Assuming no breath tests failed.
Do breath tests work on people with blue blood?
Let’s see how willing you bunch of **** are to hand in your licences or take tests every couple of years when you get older.
How long would you put up with a colleague who couldn't do thier job because they are really crap at it?
If you're not good at something, the answer is not to side into even more crapness, it's to get lessons and improve. Unless of course you are happy to have sh*t or blind drivers on the road.
Producing a medical or eye test result is one thing I see nothing wrong with. I would not call that a 'retest' though if that happens to be the criteria.
A complete retest every 10 years does nothing to tackle the main problem of a high level of serious accidents caused by people under 25.
We also forget that the UK has amongst the safest roads in the world, especially considering our relatively high population density.
A complete retest every 10 years does nothing to tackle the main problem of a high level of serious accidents caused by people under 25.
True but as we are able to look at more than one think at once we can look at both. It's possible to address both topics.
A retest would have to be different as said a thorough medical, but then you do you weed out those ****s who can control a car perfectly well but just drive in an uncaring and dangerous manner?
That's the flip side. If a driving test is involved, what about the idiot who drives like a lunatic 9 years and 364 days of the time, but is cool as a cucumber during a test.
True but as we are able to look at more than one think at once we can look at both. It’s possible to address both topics.
Lots could be done. We could drop the speed limit in 30 zones to 20 and make the limit on motorways 50mph. Medicals are fine, but a retest every 10 years will not make better drivers.
We assess our drivers at work every couple of years regardless of what their driving history is. We have a variety of vehicles all shapes and sizes. Obvioulsy we can't revoke their driving licence but we can prevent them from driving company vehicles. Can't say I've ever heard of any one complaining about it, we've taken maybe 4-5 people off certain vehicles as well.
They put my MIL in her 80s through a driving awareness course after an accident. She was pulling out of a doctors car park and a delivery van pulled in, she swerved and ended up in the wall. She loved the course, passed with flying colours. Gut-feel the van prob pulled in a bit quick without looking properly. Not always the oldies fault.
then how do you weed out those **** who can control a car perfectly well but just drive in an uncaring and dangerous manner?
Snipers. Definitely snipers.
Bus and truck drivers have to do driver cpc, regular training courses and (in my company, at least) assessments of driving standards by a driving instructor.
People who drive for a living should have little problem passing the standard driving test.
That’s if they take pride in driving well of course.
Driving is a privilege, not a right.
I hear Sandringham is going to add a new amateur horse event to their country fair - there’s no real skill involved, all you need to be able to do is jump to conclusions...
I reckon he was doing a rehearsal for Meghans "accident" and messed it up slightly!
It is actually amazing how many old duffers you see on the roads who are literally an accident waiting to happen. Lots have absolutely no idea what's going on around them & seem completely oblivious to anything beyond the bonnet.
On the other hand I see young drivers with the ability to make the car go but little else & a lot with little or no consideration for anyone else.
I'm an old duffer to some people (62) but managed to pass my MIDAS (minibus) test last year & hopefully will do again in 2022.
It is actually amazing how many old duffers you see on the roads who are literally an accident waiting to happen.
Is it? I see obvious cases like this very occasionally. However, I'm 65 and poodling along in a 30 limit (at 30) the other evening I had a car glued to my back bumper for half a mile or so before his patience gave way and with much downshifting and throttle stabbing shot by me and accelerated off into the distance at some speed. Who is more dangerous?
Who is more dangerous?
The anecdote every time
Who is more dangerous?
The one who's not paying attention.
The one who's oblivious to other road users, like cyclists for instance.
My dad gave up his licence when he knew it was time to. A lot of old folks don't though. 🙁
As a cyclist, I wish all drivers were women or men over 60. Whenever I experience a driver slowing down behind me and waiting for a proper place to overtake and give me plenty of space, it's almost always one of those two groups.
The shit passes and close overtakes near me are generally not the elderly (and I ride through Harrogate). They’re invariably late middle aged angry overweight white men in PCP cars, breaking the speed limit and getting frustrated at everyone.
You add to that the number of drivers texting (usually van drivers but about half the road in slow traffic), and the recently retired couples driving home from a boozy lunch, and somehow a 97 year old who has one accident is suddenly the biggest threat?
"anagallis_arvensis
Member
A retest would have to be different as said a thorough medical, but then you do you weed out those **** who can control a car perfectly well but just drive in an uncaring and dangerous manner?"
Traffic cops? Thing is, it doesn't matter, we shouldn't tolerate one preventable form of unsafe driving just because there are other ones that are harder to target. The point is to make the roads safer, not to be sporting about it.
Houns
Member
Driving without duke care
It's not heirless driving, but under the circumstances it might as well be.
I see all the usual driving God's and general haters of anyone daring to overtake or slightly speed are out in force on this one.
The fact is, and it genuinely is a fact, that there are a huge percentage of people on the roads who would fail a retest, not just old people, people become blase about their driving ability and actually sticking to the rules that helped them pass in the first place, such as not using Snapchat whilst on your test or going to the pub for four pints before your test.
I know quite a few of both types of drivers and I'd happily dob them in if I knew when they were up to either.
Traffic cops?
Very good point. I forgot such a thing used to exist!!!!
‘Traffic cops?’
Well yes,
I wear a white shirt and epaulets for work, and it’s quite noticeable how people’s driving changes when they see me.
Those people overtaking me (when im in my car) on the motorway (who, absolutely genuinely, are probably within the speed limit) but catch a glimpse out of the corner of their eye and immediately brake.
To the young **** driving past perth bus station the other week who dropped his phone when he saw me sitting behind the driver of the citylink coach because he saw a white shirt.
People know what they are supposed to be doing, but they only choose to behave when they think they might be caught.
More visible policing would help imo.
I DGAS how old, OR young a driver is, I’ve seen shite driving from every type of driver.
There are clearly a lot of bad drivers out there. The young boy racers cause more accidents because they are typically speeding, cornering too fast etc,. while the elderly drivers cause chaos due to inconsistent driving, swerving around, going up wrong lanes etc,. (all stuff I have seen just this week). They cause less accidents because they are typically going slowly but mainly because the drivers around them are taking evasive action.
I think simple retests would catch the bad elderly drivers as I don't think they would drive any differently as they are not aware their driving is bad whereas the boy racer having only relatively recently passed their test knows how they should be driving.
I should not have been allowed to drive until I was around 25 as I was a maniac
My dad shouldn't have been allowed to drive from about age 75 onwards (and he drove a lorry for almost 50 years) but was simply not safe so we stopped him driving.
There'll be some MI6 operatives getting a telling off today as they failed to provide the public with a nice brexit diversion. 😙
I'm looking forward to self driving cars....... "CAR.... to the pub and don't spare the horses!"
car pulls away in a controlled manner
I thought this was going to be a thread about Season 3 of the grand tour. 😃
#amazonshitcarshow
You can report older drivers to NHS and they go out with a driving instructor and NHS Occupational Health I think. Relative does it and is very busy. Normally relatives report it. Some thank her when licence is revoked others hate her.
Traffic cops?
Got stopped lots of times when young but didn't work. As long as I humoured them and smiled at their "Hello Nigel Mansell" opening line I was sent on my way.
I see all the usual driving God’s and general haters of anyone daring to overtake or slightly speed are out in force on this one.
That's pretty pathetic mate, seriously.
Considering how much his wife drinks I'll bet he was over the limit
Biographer on R4 this morning reckons he might never have taken a driving test either !
(Something about learning to drive in the army pre-1930)
Been driving for 80 years & had a few prangs apparently, not mown anyone down , that we know of !!
(infact where is JHJ?)
IMO there should be a retest every ten years.
Imo the problems involving elderly drivers are mostly eyesight related.
The problems with young drivers are impatience, too many gagets, lack of concentration, showing off to mates in their car etc.
Elderly drivers have more experience and tend to be safer drivers, however I think driving over the age of 90 is a no no.
That’s pretty pathetic mate, seriously.
But true.
And you forgot to quote the rest of my post chastising various types of drivers.
I'm clearly in the driving god category though so I will pinch your overtaking slot 😉
The anecdote every time
Just a response to the blanket "old drivers are shit" assertions. Sorry.
I’m pretty sure my grandad didn’t take a test, iirc, before the test was introduced you just applied for a licence and it was issued. He started driving at 17, that was 1935, im sure he said he had his a matter of weeks before they announced that all new drivers would need to take a test after then.
He was born in 1918, so a little older than the duke.
EDIT: he got his licence less than three weeks before the test became compulsory.
He also drove for 74 years, the only accident in that time was when he reversed into his own tractor while manoeuvring in the yard.
But true.
Hatred of overtakers? What are you even on about? It looks to me like you are trying to be dismissive of anyone who doesn't like aggressive driving.
So he pulled into a road & hit an oncoming car.
The driver of the other car broke his arm & the child had minor injuries.
Was he breathalysed ?
Will he be facing charges?
Response of the authorities is that they'll lower speed limit on the road, presumably so if he does it to someone else, he's less likely to be hurt.
I think we should all take a test every 10 years and over 60 every 5 years.
Add to that a retest for all parties in any police or insurance reportable collision. Also, for speeding - 1st offence you get your speed awareness, next time you get points AND re-test. Automatic bans at 12 points (no hardship defence).
Also need a legal obligation on both Doctors and Opticians to report any patients who have conditions that should disqualify. My mother and father (now dead) both suffer alzheimers and we've had to fight to stop them driving and my mother still rants about it.
Regular re-tests should become routine - it's a £100 expense for theory and practical - Trivial amongst the costs of running a car. If people fight about the cost recover it through insurance or tax and make them free. Everyone thinks they're above average so surely they'd pass with ease. Cost of collisions is huge - it would probaby be a net profit for the country as a whole.
I’m more surprised that the Land Rover actually made it down the road without some huge electrical problem, or the gearbox seizing up 🤡
As a cyclist, I wish all drivers were women or men over 60.
One of my worst near misses was an 80-something geezer almost wiping me out by overtaking with a caravan across a mini-roundabout at about 35mph and pulling in too early. If I hadn't swerved left I might not be here typing this.
Had a fair few other gammon bellends in their 60s doing close passes and showing no remorse when I've told them off.
And this is also just my experience, but I sometimes suspect older drivers are more likely to close pass (without malice) just because that's what they've always done. More set in their ways, IYSWIM.
I liked the old guy on the Police intercepters program who always drove with a crash helmet on.
From BBC report...
The force said it was standard policy to breath test drivers involved in collisions and both had provided negative readings.
And...
And there will now be an investigation into the circumstances of the accident. It might be that the duke is about to be persuaded to give up the wheel.
By a judge in court as he gets sentenced hopefully (but not bloody likely).
Biographer on R4 this morning reckons he might never have taken a driving test either !
(Something about learning to drive in the army pre-1930)
Been driving for 80 years
He joined the army when he was 9?