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Danny_b
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Posted: 07 Oct 09 13:51
Post subject: Elderly Drivers
Organisation name: n/a
Issue type: Comment |
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I agree with more regular testing. 2 years after getting my licence, I had my eyes tested, and was told I was below the legal limit for driving. 12 months before renewal, I lost (misplaced) my licence and had to get a new one made with a new photo. As my photo was not that old when the renewal came up, a new one got sent to me.
It's now been 15 years that I've been aware I'm below the legal eyesight requirements for driving, yet I've never even had a vision test at the VicRoads office.
Regular retesting (or the fear of it) would make safer drivers, as a lot of people would take more of an interest in keeping up to date. |
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CDMS
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Posted: 04 Oct 09 12:42
Post subject: Elderly Drivers
Organisation name: n/a
Issue type: Comment |
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rwc1 said, "Just reading your comments sugest to me that you were drunk and mad when you said that you want elderly and infact all drivers to submit to a driving test every year".
Maybe rwc1 needs to learn about reading. Kadee stated in her first post that only drivers over 70 maybe should be tested annually. In her post on 2/10 she only suggested regular testing for everyone, not specifically every 12 months. After reading all posts there is not one that stated that ALL drivers should be tested every 12 months. |
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kadee
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Posted: 03 Oct 09 15:53
Post subject: Elderly Drivers
Organisation name: na
Issue type: Comment |
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ohhhhh ok then. Well thank you rwc1, your insight is very helpful and appreciated by all I'm sure. |
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rwc1
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Posted: 03 Oct 09 15:38
Post subject: Elderly Drivers
Organisation name: Not Applicable
Issue type: Comment |
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Just reading your comments sugest to me that you were drunk and mad when you said that you want elderly and infact all drivers to submit to a driving test every year. 
A medical test for drivers over the age of 70 will be just fine. |
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kadee
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Posted: 03 Oct 09 15:20
Post subject: Elderly Drivers
Organisation name: na
Issue type: Comment |
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Not sure what drinking, smoking and swearing has to do with the issue?  |
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rwc1
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Posted: 03 Oct 09 15:06
Post subject: Elderly Drivers
Organisation name: Not Applicable
Issue type: Comment |
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what a load of bull. sitting down for a test drive every year or at a particular age won't make a better drivers, it will only rase more revenue, kadee will feel safer on the road?? realy? will it stop drivers texting or talking on the phone if you'll do a test drive every year? I don't think so!!! kadde sounds like a person who drink smoke and swear, and must get her way or watch out. |
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computerflyer
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Posted: 03 Oct 09 09:21
Post subject: Elderly Drivers
Organisation name: n/a
Issue type: Comment |
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Shillard, et al,
When convenient, accessible, cheap public transport is available for everyone, perhaps you have a point. In a practical sense that may not happen until teleportation is perfected.
When you are at the mercy and costs of taxis 24 x 7 to travel to the grocers, doctors, and anywhere else, you might reconsider the practical matters, as noble as theory may be. Are there even taxis in very small regional centres? (Everyone is not able to walk a distance.)
Consider the new 'lawless' generation that would probably result, and what you do about them in the overall context of the legal (justice?) system.
Bottom line, if you cannot make a viable control that is seen to be, and is, fair, equitable, manageable, and enforceable, you have a bad law. If you have a bad law, ... Eureka! |
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kadee
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Posted: 02 Oct 09 22:12
Post subject: Elderly Drivers
Organisation name: na
Issue type: Comment |
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Me too. I'd feel a lot safer on the road knowing we all had regular refreshers. People become far too complacent and road rules change. In the last 12 months I've put two teens on the road and I have learnt a number of things I didn't know. |
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shillard
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Posted: 02 Oct 09 20:16
Post subject: Elderly Drivers
Organisation name: Not Applicable
Issue type: Comment |
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All drivers, regardless of age, should submit to regular re-testing to retain their licence - I would happily sit a written or practical test tomorrow.
Would you?
If you're not completely confident of passing one, and 100% up on current road rules - hint: you shouldn't be driving. |
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Topdog
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Posted: 01 Oct 09 16:27
Post subject: Elderly Drivers
Organisation name: n/a
Issue type: Comment |
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I think rom memory in WA at least there is a requirement to advise the licencing authority of any medical condition or medications which they need to know about, but I think it applies to ALL drivers..Anyone like to add to that or confirm?? |
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computerflyer
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Posted: 01 Oct 09 13:23
Post subject: Elderly Drivers
Organisation name: n/a
Issue type: Comment |
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> why is it not made compulsory for doctors to advise the transport department if they feel a person is not fit to drive.
Sounds like a capital suggestion, but consider that it w/could inhibit some oldies from getting routine or even necessary medical attention for fear they might be reported. |
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TheLoanMan
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Posted: 01 Oct 09 09:43
Post subject: Elderly Drivers
Organisation name: Not Applicable
Issue type: Comment |
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I know this will not make a lot of people happy, but why is it not made compulsory for doctors to advise the transport department if they feel a person is not fit to drive. I realise that there are privacy laws that prevent this at this time, but a change in law could overcome this.
It would then be up to the Transport Department to contact the driver concerned and give them say 60 days to be tested, or lose their licence.
This way it would target the ones at risk, and fewer tests would need to be done.
Who would know better than the persons doctor. |
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kadee
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Posted: 30 Sep 09 20:03
Post subject: Elderly Drivers
Organisation name: na
Issue type: Comment |
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Interesting. My dad is in his early 70's and like most of his friends, is often on a cocktail of medication. He also has MD and at least knows when he shouldn't drive.
His ophthalmologist was telling me how frustrating it is when people he tells not to drive still go ahead and do so. |
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Danny_b
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Posted: 30 Sep 09 19:35
Post subject: Elderly Drivers
Organisation name: n/a
Issue type: Comment |
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Kadee, I sympathise completely with you. I have a similar debate frequently with my father who is always complaining about 'old codgers' on the road. He doesn't seem to realise he is in his (early) 70's, and like them, also struggles. While his eyesight is fine, his reflexes are very slow, and he does not seem to be able to drive smooth to save himself.
I think our licensing system needs a complete overhaul for all drivers (including the elderly), but like computerflyer says, how would it possibly be funded. Let alone the political backlash any party would have for creating a hindrance to some drivers.
If someone had to hand in their licence (regardless of age), or didn't get their licence because a political party changed the rules, they'd certainly cop it.
But you do only need to look at any European country to realise how poorly skilled the average Australian driver is. |
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computerflyer
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Posted: 30 Sep 09 16:50
Post subject: Elderly Drivers
Organisation name: n/a
Issue type: Comment |
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Perhaps this should be in Ask NGE not automotive.
> I personally feel after a certain age, perhaps 70, we should have to sit for our licence annually.
This debate is being held in many locales. (In the US it always fails because of the grey voter backlash.)
Most (not all) oldies I have known are generally still spry and on top of things into their 70's. As a practical matter retests at 75, 80, and then annually or biannually would probably timely identify those who should retire from driving.
However, consider the additional queue you are asking the licensing authorities to create. Do you expect the governments to add staff without taking from somewhere else?
If an oldie ignores losing the license and drives anyway, possibly now without insurance or even rego,, what punishment do you recommend? Many have no/few assets, not much income, and do you want to jail them when Really Bad People and DUI drivers are routinely put on community orders? Bottom line - impractical to enforce.
<Now, about those feral, immortal youngsters and inattentive adults ....> |
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