The elderly are a tricky one, they should, in my opinion, have a FULL retest come 65. With me being a care worker i get to hear all the stories about their history (which believe it or not i love!) but most of them know im into my cars and enjoy telling me of their past driving experiences and one thing that all the stories have in common is the fact there was no no more then a hand full of a cars on any road..so when they were learning to drive and for most of their driving career there were over half the cars on the road compared to today.

 

Not only that, back then, when finance was not an option only people who had interest and a knowledge of driving, drove. Driving back then was an intellectual matter, not just any Tom, **** and Harry.

 

I respect old people immensely, admittedly they do get my back up but they have more right to be there more then anyone in my opinion.

 

Once i had a old lady inches away from taking out the front of my car when she didt realise i was behind her, i had to pull her over to explain what she nearly just did, and rather then tear my head off like most folk do today, she apologies and explained she think it is time to hang up the keys..i almost felt bad for being behind her.

 

Anyways back on topic, where was I?!

Road captains obviously  work both ways, some want you to go slower and want you to go faster.

 

 those that think they should dictate how others use the Public Highway.

 

Thats the thing though, if someone is going faster then me i have completely no issue what so ever on letting them past, most likely quoting 'Go on son!' Although yes when their overtaking on double whites or what have you fair enough but i have absolutely no issue with folk been faster then me.

 

Doing this road in question yesterday i was once again over taking a few folk here and there and noticed an Astra was following my every move, when the road turned into the Guisborough bypass he opted to pass me (i know coppers like the hide on that road so i dont push my luck) as he passed me slightly slowed down to clock me, smiled and on he went...people who enjoy driving are happy people! 

Are that many Elderly drivers that should be hanging up their keys, on the route that prompted the post &  driving Astons, M-Power BMW's and Porsche. ?

 

To me the OP was why do they buy cars like that.

& why do they not take them over 3,000 rpm,  well we know 3,000 rpm might have them 50% over the NSL.

Are that many Elderly drivers that should be hanging up their keys, on the route that prompted the post &  driving Astons, M-Power BMW's and Porsche. ?

 

I dont really keep a catalogue of who drives on that road but yes i suspect their will be a few. 

Sorry i thought by your OP you were keeping a record of the types of cars going slower than you want to.

 

'8-9 cars, Merc, Beemers etc etc'

OK, sorry, just winding you up really, as those with Faster and more powerful cars do.

 

I had a really nice time once between Ballater & Grantown on Spey playing with a Black Audi,

and when a second Black one got on my tail i thought i should maybe let them go.

I got a nice flash of their Covert Lights, just to let me know i had been playing with the Royal Protection Boys & Girls.

Well all manner of cars and all manner of ages, unless its a 17 yr old in a Corsa 'limited edition' who thinks they are clever.

Probably not the best idea to blast somebody with your full beam when they're about to have a head on collision with you 

No I did it to make sure that she had seen me

I often overtake at speed (normally 60mph, especially on my commute) where I've caught another car and there's been no need to slow down as the overtake is on and I've just gone round them. Just this weekend I did this to a chav in a Toyota Starlet who hadn't exited the previous roundabout quick enough. I went round only to find him dropping a cog and trying to stop me. I was in the Swift at the time so it could have been an issue. Had to brake a bit later at the next roundabout but no problem really. Just by taking good lines I pulled away but at no point did I break the limit. He eventually turned off but if I ever see a car/bike fly up behind me I'll make it as easy as possible to let them pass and with bike I almost always get thanked for it.

If you're not overtaking like a **** I'm quite happy to let anyone past. In fact I'll move over and flash my indicator to let you know I've seen you and I'm trying to let you go.

Same for filtering bikes, I'll move over and give you room if I can.

But if your 2" off my bumper with your **** xenons, drls, Halfords blue bulbs or anything else then don't expect any favours. I know every ripple in my commuting road and if I don't want to let you past you're not getting.

That's exactly what my Grandad did eventually, he said he started to feel very unsafe driving when it was dark/dull, so took himself off the road so that he didn't cause an accident. Very pragmatic and absolutely the right thing to do.

 

 

We had to hide the keys to grandad's Triumph Herald. There was hell to pay when he realised too... 

 

All for re-testing, if not to keep abreast of new laws and rules then  to remind folk that their individual interpretations of the HC aren't right no matter how indignant they get. 

Edited 4 February, 201412 yr by sparks03

Now we are getting onto licenses / testing etc there is a couple of issues that need changed and brought upto date. Not just a government discussion on it

1 - learners should be allowed onto the motorway, and if reasonable should be included in the driving test.

2 - there needs to be a mandatory resit / driving assessment done at say 65 years old and thereafter every 5 years. (My grandad could hardly walk - yet he could drive a car?? - completely baffling)

These 2 issues with the system need sorted yesterday!! Not today or tomorrow.

I don't see why we should restrict retesting to the elderly. There are plenty of eejits on the road under that age. 10yr retests for everyone I say!

 

But the elderly should have to get an annual/biannual fitness to drive assessment i.e an eye test.

I don't see why we should restrict retesting to the elderly. There are plenty of eejits on the road under that age. 10yr retests for everyone I say!

But the elderly should have to get an annual/biannual fitness to drive assessment i.e an eye test.

All they have at the minute is a form to fill out. I think its every 2/3 years starting at 70.

Also agree on the retest / assessment

On the subject of people who d*** around at 40mph on 60mph roads, this one really pushes my buttons. These people shouldn't be on the damned road if they can't drive at a reasonable speed. Do that on your driving test and you'll fail for failure to make sufficient progress.

 

One route I can take to work has a lot of nice flowing 60mph limit roads, which can easily be driven at much higher speeds than that if the mood takes. However there is no shortage of pillocks doing a steady 40 mph. And yes you guessed it, there aren't that many place where it's safe to overtake them, so you end up stuck behind these people.

 

I don't have any issue whatsoever with anyone who chooses to stick to the speed limit, but do the damned limit or close to it and stop holding everyone else up.

There just seems to be so many unconfident  drivers on the road. You see it in many forms, from the slow driving, the constant breaking at oncoming cars, slowing down to a crawl on bends, stopping at roundabouts that are quite clearly empty, etc.