Re-test older drivers, say family of M1 wrong-way crash victim

[DB11]

It was somewhat of a mini discussion in the "What's annoyed you on the roads" thread but the family of the lad that was killed on the M1 in Leicestershire when an elderly driver was going the wrong way down the M1 have spoke out for the first time about how they think elderly driver's should be re-tested. I read somewhere that the slower reactions are mitigated by the fact that elderly drivers are more cautious. I think that might mitigate reaction time, yes, but being cautious does not necessarily mean being safe.

 

 

The family of a man who died in a crash involving an 87-year-old driving a car the wrong way up the M1 have called for regular testing of older drivers.

BBC Inside Out spoke to the family of Michael Luciw, 27, who was killed on the motorway in Leicestershire in the early hours of Monday October 12.

Albert Newman, 87, who was driving north on the southbound carriageway, also died in the crash.

Mr Luciw's brother, Simon, said: "It doesn't feel as if we have lost him - it feels as if he has been taken away from us.

"There are so many things that should be put in place so things like this could be avoided.

"People are driving that shouldn't be on the road. The older you get, the more your reactions slow down.

"There needs to be some sort of test introduced, in a car with a driving instructor, so you get a true reflection of how good a driver you are."

His mother, Andrea Shelton, said: "He had only just turned 27 and he had his whole life ahead of him."

She said her son, from Nottingham, who worked as a delivery driver, was on a long-distance journey with a colleague, Andy Harrington, when the crash happened at 2am near Kegworth, Leicestershire.

Mr Harrington, who was driving a Ford Transit, said he had not seen Mr Newman's car until the last second.

He told the programme: "I managed to swerve slightly towards the crash barrier but there was nothing I could do.

"You couldn't even blink that fast. It lives with me. I still get sleepless nights. It's not something I will ever forget.

"It's up to the Government whether they listen to us. But if that driver hadn't been on the road that morning, Michael would still be here with his daughter."

The Inside Out East Midlands story is being screened on BBC One at 7.30pm on Monday.  It will be available on the BBC iPlayer for 30 days after that.

 

 

[davieG]

Discussed here DB

 

http://www.foxestalk.co.uk/forums/topic/102874-m1-accident/?hl=drivers#entry3606611

[DB11]

The accident's discussed there but the news article is only come out today - http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/Driving-tests-mandatory-elderly-says-family-man/story-28599016-detail/story.html

[StanSP]

definitely agree they should be tested again.

 

it's ridiculous how bad some older drivers are and their inability to understand what speed to go on any given road. 

[Stadt]

@@Thracian 

[Thracian]

There was reference to some scientific driving reaction tests on television today which conclusively showed that of young, middle aged and elderly drivers the elderly were considerably safer. Their reaction times are a little slower but because they drive slower and allow a greater safety margin they are significantly safer.

Regarding driving the wrong way I've seen a whole stack of people drive the wrong way down a one-way street into the market and every one of the drivers looked from 20-35. Furthermore at least four fifths were foreign and clearly hadn't got a clue what they were doing.

If you doubt me go look for yourself most any day.

I don't even think the debate is really about the elderly being less capable drivers. This country on is being filled with incomers courtesy of the social engineers and the roads are getting ever more crowded. The elderly population is growing and living longer.

Many have retired and use their cars for pleasure rather than work and are therefore easy targets for victimisation. The idea is to reduce numbers on the road by turning elderly people into second class citizens. The sooner the elderly get together and show the government - any government what they think of being victimised the better.

I drive every day and don't believe some of the people on the roads have proper licences at all or have any competence to drive on British roads. I followed a four-wheel drive motorist this evening and they clearly couldn't see in the dark. Their constantly unnecessary breaking and eratic drivingline showed as much. The driver was a woman and clearly under 40.

[Strokes]

If retests are required, everyone should have to sit them periodically, it's not just age that can deteriorate your reactions.

[Rincewind]

I  thought there was a retest after a certain age. I  have no doubt that quite a few older drivers are capable but I would think that as you become older your reactions slow down. For example footballers  are not so quick to react towards the end of their careers. How many 40 plus players are in the PL? It is also true that drivers gain experience after many years on the road. They do things they would not do on a test. A driving instructor  once said to me don't drive like me when you pass. I never did because I do not have quick reflexes and co-ordination. I have accepted this and believe I would be a danger to other users if I had somehow passed.. Older drivers may have took their tests when the roads were clearer and one was able to trundle along and not worry about the many idiot drivers of all ages and genders.

[Strokes]

Older drivers may have took their tests when the roads were clearer and one was able to trundle along and not worry about the many idiot drivers of all ages and genders.

Well all us younger generations had to learn of an elder driving generation and it's not like the roads became busy overnight, so that's pretty much horseshit. In my experience their are no particular trends to bad drivers, most folk are utter shit at it.

[Rincewind]

Well all us younger generations had to learn of an elder driving generation and it's not like the roads became busy overnight, so that's pretty much horseshit. In my experience their are no particular trends to bad drivers, most folk are utter shit at it.

I was trying to be neutral. The roads have become busy over a number of years and testing has changed. I would say it is harder to pass now than it was a few years ago. Maybe drivers on here will confirm or say it is wrong. I do not know  just guessing. As a non driver  I cannot say who are the better drivers it varies and averages out depending on the numbers of each age group gender and nationality. I see nothing wrong with all drivers having some sort of recap every few years. It is obvious some take on bad habits as they grow more confident. It is human nature.

I must emphasise that I am not having a go at older people. I am sure that as long time drivers  they are better than most. It is other drivers that make mistakes  and a  driver's reaction has to be spot on  and as in many walks of life your reaction slows down with age as well as a slight deterioration in your sight.  My optician told me that many people over 40  need reading glasses. I do and I  am short sighted. I had always though because I already  wore glasses one pair would be OK.

[AyewJoking]

everyone should have to re-take their test every ten years. i passed roughly 10 years ago and doubt i would pass first time now

[kingcarr21]

Why not just bring in the hazard perception test say every 5 years for everybody and not just the elderly.

 

Or even some sort of medical with a reaction test of some kind (when you reach a certain age). Don't necessarily have to take a complete driving test again. There are a lot of good drivers that are older and some piss poor youngsters.

[RobHawk]

I think when a person gets to 75 they should trade their license in for a free TV License. They have a bus pass anyway - keeps the biddies off the roads and they get to stay at home and watch Telly on us! Win win! 

 

RobHawk 2020 - Let's make Britain great again

[Jon the Hat]

It isn't just about reaction times.  Caution is a result of slower ability to come to a decision, and that signals lower level of judgement.  Poor judgement causes people to drive the wrong way down a motorway, not slow reactions offset by more caution. 

[Wymsey]

Can understand why people are pushing for this.

 

But, I've seen many news articles throughout the UK mentioned young people getting killed whilst behind the wheel - perhaps they youngsters should be occasionally re-tested?

[Fox92]

I can understand why people want this to happen and don't necessarily disagree but I maintain that, regardless of age, you have to be an idiot to drive down a slip road in the wrong direction. It wouldn't even make sense because we drive on the left hand side of the road. 

 

There also must be something wrong with public transport if older people don't even want to get a bus into town or whatever.

[DB11]

Can understand why people are pushing for this.

 

But, I've seen many news articles throughout the UK mentioned young people getting killed whilst behind the wheel - perhaps they youngsters should be occasionally re-tested?

But they know how to drive and what to do, they just choose to take risks. That wouldn't be picked up on in a driving test because they'd drive to the system; to pass.

[davieG]

You can't keep bringing more and more rules and regulations every time an accident or cock up occurs no matter how bad it might seem especially relatively rare ones, accidents will happen and we sometimes need to accept that.

 

Half the reason roads are ever more complex is down to them being over engineered and over signed and some of this is down to selfish drivers lacking basic road courtesies and not doing some of the most simplistic things like signalling.

[Thracian]

Yes, get the elderly off the roads. That'll sort things!

http://myinforms.com/en-us/a/24157807-not-long-enough-speeding-driver-who-killed-two-young-sisters-jailed-for-just-four-years/

In reality it's a bitter but pointless debate. In 10-15 years most cars will be programmed to slow down or stop to avoid collisions and I'm quite sure there will be electronic technology to stop any vehicle the wrong way down any road. Drivers will hardly be needed.

[BoyJones]

Personally think a lot of younger people have slower reaction times, because they have to finish texting or finish talking on the phone before they focus on the road.

[Rincewind]

In  10-15 years the older drivers won't be the ones who started driving when there were no tests or tests where six cars was a traffic jam.

 

Remember It's Leicester Comedy Festival this Month.

 

Maybe everyone should have retests every few years. It will stop the one group is better than another group argument and treat everyone fairly as individuals. Young old women overseas drivers etc.

[MC Prussian]

Personally think a lot of younger people have slower reaction times, because they have to finish texting or finish talking on the phone before they focus on the road.

 

Imagine elderly people talking or texting on a phone whilst driving.

[Rincewind]

Imagine elderly people talking or texting on a phone whilst driving.

They would take the time up trying to turn one on.

[MrSpaM]

Arent re-tests for older driver already a thing?

 

https://www.gov.uk/renew-driving-licence-at-70

 

Looking into it, You just have to re apply every three years after you reach 70, and as long as you have the required eye sight, you are good to go. Wow, you learn something new every day, I was always under the impression you had to re take your test completely when you hit 70.

[DB11]

Came across an 89 year old man driving the wrong way round a large and busy roundabout the other day, one roundabout before an M1 junction!! If he'd gone the wrong way down the next one then he'd have been going the wrong way down the M1