General Chat

wouldn't bother me either

So back to the original subject. I'm for regular fit-to-drive tests.

May I just add a thank you to everyone contributing to this debate about people's fitness and ability to drive as they get older (and is certainly not about what speed to drive at).

No I don't think that but it was not me who brought either up.

Plus, they are two entirely different scenarios and I don't particularly agree with either being used in this debate although one is possibly more relevant than the other.

However, as they were brought up by two other members then it should elicit a response.

As you say, Tec, if other drivers decide to speed then it's up to them. In fact I've quite often thought that I could catch them up down the road when they crash.

I ttry to drive a little lower than the maximum speed limits allowed and always drive in the left lane where possible. They are maximum speed limits - try going above them in the presence of a policeman! What kinds of fines are applicable nowadays?

I like to think that I have enough experience and tolerance to cope with what used to be called Sunday drivers. I may be one of them some day.

And come off it, Errol - if you think it's OK to agree (Precisely ...) to the mention of one tragic accident and not another may I ask whether you are trying to stir things up a little?

Isn't that a different subject altogether?

Personally I think that the penalties meted out for driving whilst under the influence (drink and drugs) often lack parity.

However, back to the actual topic - I don't see why anybody would be against the notion of compulsory assessments for fitness and ability as drivers get older. If you are fit to drive then what is the problem? I do, actually, tend to be a strong advocate for some form of aptitude and ability measuring for all drivers but that would be nigh on impossible to introduce and/or finance.

I don't call 60 on the motorway inside lane "pootling"

and I'd be most interested to hear your views on drink/driving

driving too slow, is it dangerous?

It can be due to two main reasons. On a high speed road such as motorways or dual carriageways, excessively slow speeds effectively creates a hazardous obstacle that other motorists must avoid. Drivers may not correctly assess a much slower vehicles speed in time resulting in abrupt braking or evasive overtaking. This can be particularly hazardous for large vehicles such as HGV’s that need a good deal of time to prepare in a change of speed or direction.

http://www.drivingtesttips.biz/minimum-speed-limits-driving-too-slow.html

The article suggests that anything between 50-70mph on motorways is the accepted standard, providing conditions are suitable.

JoyLouise says we aren't traffic police. Quite right - neither are the middle or outer lane hoggers travelling at or below the speed limit. If another driver wants to exceed the limit, thats up to them, not the driver obeying the law.

Claire in Wales - Precisely!

And I thinhk it is a little off to use the tragedy in Merseyside in a debate about driving ages.

They were clearly fleeing from a crime and desperate to get away - a totally different set of circumstances and I doubt whether for one nano second that they were overly bothered about adhering to the Highway Code.

Incidentally, paying tax, insurance etc does not entitle you to use the road, as Rollo correctly pointed out earlier on the thread.

The motorways are a high speed network to enable people to get to their destinations as quickly and easily as possible within the law (of course).

If people don't feel comfortable travelling at that sort of speed and prefer to pootle along (which causes accidents, tailbacks and financial loss) then there are plenty of alternative, less intimidating or scary routes.

But the bus which drove into Sainsbury's killing 2 people was being driven by a 77 year old man.

I'm not saying that the accident was his fault but he should have been enjoying retirement at that age.

well said Joy - 60 on the motorway, inside lane is comfortable for me, seems to bother no one and I'm not alone at that speed - others are whizzing by at way over the limit

and today we've had that awful story of a policeman being killed by a stolen car - you can bet your bottom dollar that wasn't driven by an elderly person

North to South. It doesn't matter where one is but I've always believed that a little tolerance goes a long way. Also, as long as you've paid your tax, insurance etc you're as entitled to use the road.

We aren't all traffic police!

Thank you for reposting AnnCardiff.

Having just driven back down from the north of England I have seen some pretty outrageous and arrogant driving by all ages but the worst had to be the obviously elderly person driving along the motorway at less than 50 mph.
Absolute danger to others but completely oblivious to it.

Rolling back the years, Rollo. I'm feeling younger already.

Wondered what had got Errol's posting called in, Ann.

You bought back some memories for me Rollo. When I passed my test we had an old Hillman Minx. I loved that car - built like a tank. I developed arm muscles turning the wheel as, of course, it didn't have anything like power steering.

A few years and two children later we had a slightly better income and OH decided to get a little second car for me. He got a Hillman Imp at the car auction and I drove it for years. With the engine in the back the front had to be weighted down with bricks in winter or it slithered all over the place. By then my daughter was becoming quite an accomplished musician and I had to drive her and her instruments all over the county. One of her instruments was a baritone sax. Have you ever tried to put a baritone sax into a Hillman Imp? She used to have to climb in behind the driver's seat (car was 2 door) and I would have to feed it in through the tiny back window while she turned it to lay across the back seat.

Happy days indeed, Brenda

thank you GR for removing Errol's appalling slur on my character "people like Ann are arrogant and unfit to drive" :-D :-D

I remember Double declutching...pulling out the choke to start...

having tappets on the engine block which we had in our first car...a 1938 MG 2 litre saloon bought in a car auction in 1956....would be worth a fortune now...but I still have the Rolls Royce mascot that was on it...don't know why ,but don't think people realised then as we didn't until someone noticed it!.
It came off immediately as the car was left outside.

We used to check the tappets with a small instrument to check the thous.

It had Walnut fascia with chrome surrounds...and I lined it with red velvet.
Had this during the Suez crisis and petrol rationing and it was quite thirsty.
It was the fashion among fellow musicians to buy old cars.
One I remember had fancy blinds on the windows...think it was an Austin.

Happy Days!

I promise to give up cycling just as soon as I hear Jeremy Corbyn sing the National Anthem - all the verses & solo, of course. :-D

Hand signals, jack in the box indicators and on the floor dip switches are no longer legal. I never understood what was so difficult about double declutching and if needed it was only on bottom gear anyway.

Back in the day I had a Hillman Minx, 1958, my first car. Along with bench seats and on-the column-shift ( ah, bench seats ..... :-) ) it had a floor dip switch. Driving back one Sunday evening from way out in the sticks the weld failed and the spring in the switch dumped it on my lap. I then had to drive with a choice between no beam/high beam until I was back in Greater London with street lighting. I was so annoyed I rewired it into stalk operation.

Thought this may be related to this thread

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-34442039