It keeps getting worse

[spacesailor]

Offender was above average height  & slender build ! . ( security guard ).

Also it could have been a 22 calibre blank cartridge . 

The sound would fit , as no compression of discharge. 

spacesailor

[red750]

A report on MSN news says they are considering banning driving for over 80's in Britain. Jerry may know more.

 

Is this the beginning of the end?

[octave]

22 minutes ago, red750 said:

A report on MSN news says they are considering banning driving for over 80's in Britain. Jerry may know more.

 

 

I had a bit of a search and I believe it is a bit premature to think that over-80s will be banned from driving in the UK.  Here are some news quotes from the most alarmist and sensational news sources. https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/cars/2094131/maximum-driving-age-over-80s-banned-roads

 

An expert has suggested that a new “maximum driving age” should be considered, with motorists forced to get off the roads past a certain age.

In other words, an expert has suggested it.  Experts make all kinds of suggestions that are not put into practice.  Ths same article goes on to say:

Labour is understood to be looking into a crackdown on road rules, including the introduction of mandatory eyesight testing for over 70s.

However, officials are not believed to be looking into a maximum cut-off point for licences, with campaigners believing this was the best way forward.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Marty_d]

Probably not unreasonable to expect drivers to be able to see.

[red750]

Here's an eye test for you. Find the 5 in all the upside down 2's in 30 seconds.

 

[Marty_d]

Got it.

[Jerry_Atrick]

Same

[facthunter]

It's NOT that simple. Peripheral night vision and glare sensitivity and reaction times count too. IF the Powers were serious they wouldn't allow adverts all along the roads. Some drivers have never reached a good standard either and have a poor attitude to safety and road manners and don't put the effort required into the Job.  Nev

[onetrack]

A major factor that affects driving skills, that comes with advanced age, is muscle and joint flexibility. Many older people have trouble turning their heads to 90°, and more than than a 90° head swivel is required for looking back at angled intersections. Where slip roads join at T-junctions is a classic place where you need adequate head-turning ability to be able to see approaching traffic.

 

Another interesting feature of aging is becoming single-focused on the problem of the moment - which often leads to excessive time spent on the problem, while ignoring peripheral problems, and not keeping up situational awareness of other traffic. The classic case of, "where the hell did you come from?" common statement of older drivers, right after a collision.

 

 

Edited Thursday at 12:52 AM by onetrack

[facthunter]

You HAVE to know what you are doing at Multi Lane roundabouts and not hesitate. Nev

[spacesailor]

Hence my thoughts on going EV , with all the safety features,  like slamming on the brakes 

before you drive over the peasants. 

spacesailor

 

PS. : don't forget ( like oldies do ) speed sign recognition.  Lane keeping ,

Red stop light , side collision avoidance,  with heaps of other safety features 

 

Edited Thursday at 02:14 AM by spacesailor
PS added

[facthunter]

You don't need an EV to have those features. Not ALL Oldies drive in the Manner you describe..   Nev

[Marty_d]

2 hours ago, spacesailor said:

Hence my thoughts on going EV , with all the safety features,  like slamming on the brakes 

before you drive over the peasants. 

spacesailor

 

PS. : don't forget ( like oldies do ) speed sign recognition.  Lane keeping ,

Red stop light , side collision avoidance,  with heaps of other safety features 

 

I'm glad you avoid driving over the peasants, Sir Spacey!

[rgmwa]

3 hours ago, spacesailor said:

Hence my thoughts on going EV , with all the safety features,  like slamming on the brakes 

before you drive over the peasants. 

You mean you want to skid over them to make sure you've got them?

[onetrack]

I read an authoritative article recently, about aged drivers, whereby a medical professional stated that any driver over 80, will be suffering from, on average, 5 long-term physical ailments, any one of which affects driving ability to some extent. Take your choice ....

 

1. High blood pressure

2. Deteriorated eyesight

3. Hearing loss

4. Chronic joint pain

5. Diabetes

6. Obesity 

7. Arthritis

8. Heart disease

9. Joint stiffness

10. Depression

11. Mental acuity

12. Recent medical/surgical operations

13. Excessive Hair loss..... no, sorry, that one's made up... 😄

 

Overall, it's a gloomy picture, especially when you know you're being counted in that group..... 😞 

 

[spacesailor]

NOT.to worry I only  manage four out of thirteen !.

but  have to say fat  & stiff & first aches of arthritis.

Down to one doz ' touch toes / knees bend / stretch .

My half K jog is a litte quicker than a walk. Pus only five doz push-ups.  ( please excuse the English ) .

spacesailor

[Jerry_Atrick]

We all have GPs.. they can be given the minimum requirements to maintain a licence. They can sign us off once a year, or if they deem more regular check ups required, do so accordinglly.. Just make sure you book your check up 3 months in advance so you can get seen.

 

[nomadpete]

On 13/08/2025 at 7:08 PM, red750 said:

banning driving for over 80's i

 

Bring in BFR's........

 

Oh, sorry. If we are going to have to suffer a bit of inconvenience, lets not bother saving lives on the road.

 

Besides, if it costs me, I'm not going to do it. Saving Lives shouldn't have a price.

Edited Thursday at 10:26 PM by nomadpete

[facthunter]

The general  run of BAD drivers I see, Don't have the excuse of being old. and it's getting worse.. Nev

[spacesailor]

Those BadDRiver's , do need a car with good road sense .

Our old dumb cars need constant attention.  ( Lane Keeping . )

Fast reflexes,  ( Auto Braking ). 

And More .  ( automatic geared cars now need a driving licence ) when learning to drive . Will , we need one for gear less electrical cars ( license ) 

spacesailore

 

Edited Saturday at 06:25 AM by spacesailor
Spelling

[facthunter]

  The "Roadranger" Box needed a special endorsement didn't it?   I drove MY Grape bin trailers behind the tractor on the road with NO clutch once I was moving. You just have to  get the revs right. We "Heel & Toe'd" in race Cars too. People who drive Autos Only wont drive a Manual that well. Electric is easier again.. Any Galah thinks HE Can drive without much effort. They are the ones that run up your Backside when you stop at RED Lights.  Nev

[Jerry_Atrick]

On 13/08/2025 at 10:08 AM, red750 said:

A report on MSN news says they are considering banning driving for over 80's in Britain. Jerry may know more.

 

Is this the beginning of the end?

So far, the only changes that are coming in are, IMHO, fairly reasonable. Anyone over 70 will require a medical at each license renewal. It will incude cognitive, eyesight, and checks for heart disease, and some others where is you suffer acute episode, it could be curtains for you and anyone on the road around you. I think it is eminently sensible and it forces you to get your health MOT (MOT is the UK equivalent of RWC). which is free for over 40s.. which canhelp diagnose issues anf fix them before it is too late. 

 

A licence lasts 10 years here.. and after 70, three years; so every three years after 70 you will have to get a medical - ant it is free at point of service. 

 

On another note, the UK CAA is implementing exercise based cardio vascular ECG testing as there has been an uptick of heat problems in air linked to accidents for older people.

[facthunter]

Stress ECGs are dangerous and not much good at predicting a heart attack. That's been proven over a long period of time.  Round and round we go.  Makes it look like you are doing something .Nev

[onetrack]

I believe the medical experts have refined calcium tests to gain better information about heart and circulation health.

 

Specifically, they measure the coronary artery calcium (CAC) score, because this measures the amount of calcified plaque in the hearts arteries, and therefore is a better indicator of looming heart problems than a cardiovascular ECG test.

[spacesailor]

Just more work for those bureaucrocrats .

I don't think my age is a driving problem .

but my " back-seat " driver could be ! .

Always telling me how I should drive ' is distacting ' .

spacesailor