when are the government?

Question

going to start compulsary re testing drivers at say 60yrs old?
I am 44 and have MS. I had to have a driving assesment and was then issued a 3yr license. I dont have a problem with this, as I fully understand the reasons. but, how many olderr drivers have you seen that are, in short, a danger to other road users.. a lot of older drivers do not have the speed of reaction to deal with todays driving conditions. when are the government going to wake up and smell the coffee???

wiz, reaction time was one example, I am refareing to driving ability in general.
ed. why not try answering the question instead of nit picking? or are you so in need of 2 points?

diane, actually, yes. I would be more than willing to ferry my father about if he was un able to drive. and a point to all. you choose. re testing of drivers, or having someone, (whatever age) who is unfit to drive kill or injure one of your kids/relatives. bit of a no brainer really.

it also has to be taken into account that the driving regs in the UK are all over the place in general. a new bike rider is limited to 33bhp for 2 yrs, whereas a newl car driver can go out and drive a 192bhp cleo. retesting of older drivers is just one area that needs reveiw.

Answer 1

I agree, but based on the standard of driving today it would be better to have some sort of retest at regular intervals rather than based on an arbitrary age. I know someone from Chile was is amazed that we don't already do this, at home she would have some sort of re-assessment every 10 years.
My licence is also for 3 years for medical reasons, but I will only have to re-apply and fill in a medical form/declaration to renew it.

Answer 2

Well let me see, if they take driving prilvages away from the older generation, then they should look at the younger generation they are also giving driver's license to. Its the same things....the older generation is getting slower, yes, and they do cause accidents, but so do the younger generation of kids that are getting their license and driving carelessly, and don't pay attention niether. The goverment needs to wake up and smell the office, that there is a lot of drivers young and old, that need to retake driver's test, and need time to learn more.

Answer 3

This is just so old hat....what on earth have slower reactions got to do with it....generally older people drive slower so dont need those lightning reflexes the youngsters do who fly around like lunatics....age brings experience and the ability to anticipate danger...why do you think such things have now been included in the driving test.....Yes such things as failing eyesight, and other conditions should be reported to DVLA anyway ......and your own GP should inform you if he feels your ability to drive is affected.....I see Older drivers who are going slowly and carefully....and of course this is not good enough for eager young turks.....that's life. Check any accident statistics anywhere and see who is responsible for the serious and fatal accidents...not the over 60's...

Edit
Here Here Diane....how do elderly people get about in rural locations with a bus every hour and shopping to carry....many only use their cars rarely and on journeys they make on a regular basis....60 aint that old you know....

Answer 4

Currently in the UK the retesting age is 70 years old. My drivers licence expires the day before my 70th birthday. You have to go for a health check up and then they will issue you with a new licence, luckily you don't have to take a driving test again. 53 years of driving imagine all the bad habits you would of picked up.

Answer 5

Watch for the Owners whom hire the Car Dealers
and the ones whom invented the latest on that
You Drive cause if i was One of them you wouldn't
even get a ticket to Ride any TRANS AM. ATLANTIC
belonging to the U,S Governor's of any State,
ever ride a Converter belt on a Narrow road
Well here we do,,in the Traffic We run on Electric
Speed limit and green & red lights [Some as old as EDISON AND BELL...!! And Strange some people
do not drive as here in This City they can afford not too
or take transit to Arrive yea !! Real Loaded And
Far SIGHTED AT MY AGE,!!

Answer 6

Don't know when, but i agree with you 100%.
Although, some 60 year old drivers are still excellent. But im sure they wouldn't mind being retested if it helped the not so good get off the road.
But the more people that drive, the more money the government make, they couldn't care less who or how many die on our roads.
Sadly it's all about the money

Answer 7

I think they should be tested at 60 then every 5 years after, it`s not only the speeders who cause accidents it`s the dodderers as well, as soon as you pass your test you pick up bad habits, I have always thought this was a good idea, all those who don`t must be nearing the said age and know they aren`t as alert as they used to be and may fail the set tests

Answer 8

Some states are already doing this for drivers over a certain age. Perhaps they may end up with restricted licenses such as teens have. The main problem is that if we no longer allow older people to drive who is going to get them to the doctor, church, grocery store, bank etc. Do I hear you volunteering to help out?

Answer 9

Do you really think testing will make a dfference? TO check Reaction speed?

Age allows ability to recognize a situation before it requires reflexes to fix the problem.

Answer 10

I don't know where you live, but in Canada, in the province of British Columbia, they already do, if you are flagged as a potential problem by doctor, you automatically are screened for re test.
too bad they don't do it for potential road rage and stupid driving habits like tailgating, leaving lights on hi beam and running red lites!!