Tiggy Posted November 2, 2010 Share Posted November 2, 2010 an elderly chap backed into my car yesterday at work, he didnt realise he had done it, & has offered to pay for the repairs he really did not want me to tell the insurance company. Trouble is he's 85 & bumps peoples cars a lot, Im not sure he should be driving, his eye sight dosnt seem all that good. He is such a nice chap and I dont want to cause him any trouble, and I was happy just to get it fixed & give him the bill until one of the receptionist pointed out that if he cant see my car then he prob cant see a child behind him either oh dear what do you think Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted November 2, 2010 Share Posted November 2, 2010 I can see your dilemma, but really, for everyone's sake it might be best if he was no longer driving. Hard, as there will be a loss of independence - but what price a child's life? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SarahJo Posted November 2, 2010 Share Posted November 2, 2010 Hard one Tiggy - our neighbour still drives (in late 80s) and car is s"Ooops, word censored!"ed and dented etc. She cannot judge distance very well and knocked the dividing wall between our properties down I am sure the only people who can intervene are doctors (reporting them to be unfit to drive) or the police- if they attend an accident they have been involved in and suggest surrender of licence. Apparently even if a family member says to the DVLA that "X" should not be on the road - they do not/cannot do anything This is such a hard situation as often driving is the last real piece of "independence" some older drivers have. This is irrelevant of whether they are deemed unsafe or a liability by other road users. I still panic everytime our neighbour takes to the road - and the boys know to stand well clear when she is negotiating our road. Personally I would feel awful if she killed anyone, but even her family seem to just let her be so theres little I can do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chicken bark Posted November 2, 2010 Share Posted November 2, 2010 A horrible situation. Doctors seem to be very generous in their assessments of people and I don't think really tell people not to drive. As SarahJo said it is an 'independence' thing. Unless the person chooses to stop driving there is little anyone can do. I don't think telling the insurance company will make much difference. It will just put the old chap's premium up. The cynic in me thinks insurance companies want to keep dodgy drivers on the road as long as possible. So I don't think that would stop him driving. I suppose it boils down to your relationship with the gentleman in question. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted November 2, 2010 Share Posted November 2, 2010 I dont know what to suggest _ I agree dads gp after his TIA was happy for him to drive and dad told everyone he could"she (me) wont let me drive" I was fuious with him. Could u tip off DVLA anonmously (say you witnessed him hitting your car) if hes a patient youre in between devil and deep blue sea I'm afraid. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted November 2, 2010 Share Posted November 2, 2010 No question, you have to inform someone. He is not safe to be driving and for the sake of other road users and pedestirans he needs to be investigated to ensure that he should still be allowed to drive. Not a pleasant thing to have to do though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted November 2, 2010 Share Posted November 2, 2010 Totally agree with Chucky Mama on this one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiggy Posted November 2, 2010 Author Share Posted November 2, 2010 Ive just sent a message to his GP, passing the buck i know, but his Doc knows him well, Im sure you need to re register for your drivers license after acertain age, Result his GP just got straight back to me & is seeing him tomorrow, Doc thinks its time to bring up the subject. I'll get my car repaired & give him the bill, I'll get my Dad to see if his friend can do the job at a reasonable cost. Thanks for the support guys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 2, 2010 Share Posted November 2, 2010 me too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 2, 2010 Share Posted November 2, 2010 Ive just sent a message to his GP, passing the buck i know, but his Doc knows him well, Im sure you need to re register for your drivers license after acertain age, Result his GP just got straight back to me & is seeing him tomorrow, Doc thinks its time to bring up the subject. I'll get my car repaired & give him the bill, I'll get my Dad to see if his friend can do the job at a reasonable cost. Thanks for the support guys what a lovely, caring person you are xxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SarahJo Posted November 2, 2010 Share Posted November 2, 2010 Glad you have a good result - even if the DVLA are "tipped off" they cannot remove someones licence unless the police are involved as a result of an accident. Prevents me saying for example person X should not be driving - and they lose their licence ( I might just have a grudge ) The fact that you have an ongoing "claim" with the gentleman will make it easier for the GP to broach the subject. Hope it all turns out well and you get your car fixed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlo Posted November 2, 2010 Share Posted November 2, 2010 Check your insurance as you may be obliged to let them know - even though it is not your fault and you have no intention of going through them. I think that you have handled it really sensitively though and hope that it all works out ok. Edited to add that after 70 people need to get a new licence every three years and need a sight test for that - I believe. Also - I have a way to go before I reach 70 but if you looked at my car you might think that I need to be taken off the road too!! When we took it for valet parking last week, the chap took about 10 minutes counting up all the bumps and s"Ooops, word censored!"es! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted November 2, 2010 Share Posted November 2, 2010 How about suggesting he invests in rear sensors for his car. I haven't hit any lamp posts or bollards since I've had them. And before you think it I wouldn't dream of reversing with small children around! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted November 2, 2010 Share Posted November 2, 2010 There is a programme on this very topic tonight on BBC1. 10.35pm. **Click** Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paola Posted November 3, 2010 Share Posted November 3, 2010 You really did the right thing Tiggy Spooky how the program was on the same day as this topic Did anybody watch it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted November 3, 2010 Share Posted November 3, 2010 Yes I did. It was very uncomfortable viewing. All were in denial about their declining skills. Two were assessed as competent, just, which was a surprise, as their driving was pretty grim and their physical strength non existent, and of the other 2, one was persuaded by her children to give up, and the fourth had it forced upon her, as her diagnosis of sleep apnoea was confirmed, although she refused to believe it. Scarey stuff, and very sad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willow Posted November 3, 2010 Share Posted November 3, 2010 I find it horrifying how little sight you need to be legally allowed to drive. Having recently had eye surgery with 3 weeks between eyes I was told by the surgeon that I was legal to drive in between I couldn't bring myself to drive again until a couple of days after the second eye was fixed as I felt my brain hadn't quite caught up with me having two good eyes until then. So in the end I was off the road for nearly 4 weeks which was majorly inconvenient but I couldn't have lived with myself if I'd had an accident. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted November 3, 2010 Share Posted November 3, 2010 Yes I did. It was very uncomfortable viewing. All were in denial about their declining skills. Two were assessed as competent, just, which was a surprise, as their driving was pretty grim and their physical strength non existent, and of the other 2, one was persuaded by her children to give up, and the fourth had it forced upon her, as her diagnosis of sleep apnoea was confirmed, although she refused to believe it. Scarey stuff, and very sad. Yes, it was scary and sad. I just could not believe that they were assessed as competent - I'm almost scared to get back in my car I was a bit sleepy and every time I opened my eyes there was th man with the maniacal grin on the screen Glad you had a good outcome Tiggy - a difficult situation for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted November 3, 2010 Share Posted November 3, 2010 I find it horrifying how little sight you need to be legally allowed to drive. Having recently had eye surgery with 3 weeks between eyes I was told by the surgeon that I was legal to drive in between I couldn't bring myself to drive again until a couple of days after the second eye was fixed as I felt my brain hadn't quite caught up with me having two good eyes until then. So in the end I was off the road for nearly 4 weeks which was majorly inconvenient but I couldn't have lived with myself if I'd had an accident. That is worrying isn't it? I know loss of independence is difficult for most people but the consequences don't bear thinking about. Well done for taking those weeks off, as you say, very inconvenient. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickendoodle Posted November 3, 2010 Share Posted November 3, 2010 Didn't see the programme but my Dad drove long after he was safe to do so with the blessing of his doctor - he had severe Parkinsons and a replacement knee that had't taken so he would never have been able to brake suddenly and his responses were shot anyway due to the Parkinsons. He wouldn't listen to any of us and was apoplectic when he eventually lost his licence. I used to work for an insurance company and I remember a chap phoning up begging us not to renew his Mother's motor insurance because she was a liability on the road. Nothing we could do because the Doctor and the DVLA were happy. I cringe when I see an elderly person almost staggering to their car using a stick and then getting in the driver's seat! Very difficult situation but well done for the way you handled it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenNutter Posted November 3, 2010 Share Posted November 3, 2010 I watched the programme last night too, I possibly wouldn't have bothered if I hadn't read the thread earlier in the day! I thought passing the married couple as competant was worrying, but I am worried about my own Mother (80) too, she has two artificial knees, so stopping driving would keep her virtually housebound - stopping driving will be a disaster, but I am concerned. There is no way she will give up voluntarily, we will have to wrestle the car keys out of her hand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted November 3, 2010 Share Posted November 3, 2010 I didn't watch the programme, and I do agree that drivers with slower reflexes/poorer vision may be unsafe, but can I just point out that the fact that somebody walks with a stick, or has low physical strength, does not necessarily mean they're unfit to drive! Their car may be specially adapted, and for people with physical disability the car can be their lifeline. I don't think it's just a question of age. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SarahJo Posted November 3, 2010 Share Posted November 3, 2010 My neighbours car is NOT adapted to her needs, she also never wears her glasses and frequntly now crashes into her own porchway as she tries not to come too close to the dividing wall, now it is rebuilt Her husband also has mentioned her falling asleep at the wheel when driving along a motorway - luckily she only collided with the verge. However this could have been fatal had anyone been on the hard shoulder or verge beyond. On a disability note - I know several drivers who walk with sticks or are in wheelchairs, and I have no doubts about their ability to drive. One person has a car so adapted it would be impossible to steal by an able bodied person - has no drivers seat for a start and no steering wheel I think most of the concerns voiced in this thread have been from 1st hand experience - and I would never want to see anyone labelled unfit to drive on anything other than personal circumstances presenting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docsquid Posted November 3, 2010 Share Posted November 3, 2010 You did the right thing, Tiggy! I was knocked off my motorbike a few years ago by a chap who pulled straight out in front of me. Fortunately I wasn't injured, but when the Police arrived he couldn't even see the CAR in front of him much less the number plate, so they did him for driving while unfit. Poor old chap - but he could have killed somebody, including me! Your old fellow could have killed somebody too - and there are alternatives such as taxis and buses. I had to stop both my mother and MIL driving over the past decade when it was obvious they weren't up to it any more. It didn't stop my mum and MIL getting out and about and they were actually better off using taxis on the odd occasion they went out than by paying all the upkeep of a car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiggy Posted November 5, 2010 Author Share Posted November 5, 2010 Im taking my car into vauhall tomorrow they are putting it up on a ramp to check the sub frame, there is very little damage on the bodywork & i would have missed it if another patient hadn't seen the incident, apparently my car rocked back & forth on the brakes as the old fella backed into it. He apparently didnt even see the other patient waving at him to stop He saw the GP yesterday & was adamant that there is nothing wrong with his driving and he will not hang up his car keys But he is due for a renewal of his license soon & I dont think any of the GPs are willing to sign him off but in the mean time he WILL be driving around Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
