The issue here is that some people (old or young) are just not competent enough to drive. The standard test only ensures the driver can operate a car and follow a few basic conventions in ordinary town traffic.
Make the test harder. Put in some proper tests of skill - skid pan, emergency stopping from 70mph (not the joke emergency stop they currently test), emergency obstacle avoidance, etc. And re-test these at age 70.
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Mattster
Boycott shoddy build and reliability.
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Re "the police said they had very little power to take his licence off him - that was up to the CPS", this is nonsense, in a case like this the police should and could visit the drivers doctor and get him to do an exam, decide whether he is fit to drive, and write to DVLA expressing medical doubts as to his fitness to drive, this is the only way to get these people off the road, it does happen from time to time, but not often enough
CPS is inappropriate as he will likely only get small fine and 6 points, even if he had killed your father in these circumstances
Sad but true
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and if police will not approach the GP go and make a formal complaint against the police, dont be talked out of it but the inspector would will try and give some soothing words
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i guess you could even write to DVLA yourself quoting drivers name and address stating that he does not (to a lay man) appear to be fit to drive, what are they going to do about it ? I think you'll find they will insist on a medical if you do this and have reasonable witnesses
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During a visit to an ornamental garden in Pool, Dorset, a few years ago, I met the man who drove his automatic off a 30 foot high cliff car park. His first words were something like, I am the chappy who . . . . .After we got chatting I discovered it was not the first time he had done this sort of thing. His age? My guess, 50 or so. My point? Some people are just accident prone. Age is not the main feature.
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Re "the police said they had very little power to take his licence off him - that was up to the CPS", this is nonsense, in a case like this the police should and could visit the drivers doctor etc...
The police are not judge and jury, and I doubt they have the authority to proceed thus. Surely it is up to the magistrates to decide upon a suitable course of action. Perhaps one of our resident lawyers could comment.
As far as the GP is concerned, in my experience, he will only act upon the instruction of his patient and not from a third party.
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well i know for fact that GP's can be nudged into this action after a friendly word from the local bobby, they have no desire to see carnage on the road either
if you are medically unfit to drive its not a court matter, DVLA will take your licence away
seems in this case bloke was medically unfit from description
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if you are medically unfit to drive its not a court matter, DVLA will take your licence away
Precisely, and it is medical evidence that decides. Your local well meaning bobby has no more medical expertise than my cocker spaniel, apart from, possibly, being a qualified first aider.
Some years ago I had occasion to visit the GP of a client who was clearly schizophrenic. His mother was nearly as bad and thought his behaviour was hilarious. The GP made a complaint about me as he asserted I was medically unqualified to make such a diagnosis, although I possessed certain other professional qualifications and expertise. I was admonished for this. However, the following day I was asked to attend a visit with the GP and a consultant psychiatrist when the patient was sectioned. My client's bizarre behaviour, in public, had drawn numerous complaints following my visit.
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Precisely, and it is medical evidence that decides. Your local well meaning bobby has no more medical expertise than my cocker spaniel, apart from, possibly, being a qualified first aider.
Correct, which is why a friendly word with the GP is necessary, the GP probably isnt even aware his patient is driving, and will often be horrified to be told
Letter from GP in such situations are listened to, and there are medical review panels to review any decisions, so there is an element of fairness
Some years ago I had occasion to visit the GP of a client who was clearly schizophrenic. His mother was nearly as bad and thought his behaviour was hilarious. The GP made a complaint about me as he asserted I was medically unqualified to make such a diagnosis, although I possessed certain other professional qualifications and expertise. I was admonished for this. However, the following day I was asked to attend a visit with the GP and a consultant psychiatrist when the patient was sectioned. My client's bizarre behaviour, in public, had drawn numerous complaints following my visit.
So the GP was having a bad day, happens to most people
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Correct, which is why a friendly word with the GP is necessary, the GP probably isnt even aware his patient is driving, and will often be horrified to be told Letter from GP in such situations are listened to, and there are medical review panels to review any decisions, so there is an element of fairness.
A "friendly" word with the GP will usually not evoke a response. Unless the patient requests a visit, or the patient is clearly unfit to do so, the GP will not act. If the patient refuses to see the doctor there is little he can do.
So the GP was having a bad day, happens to most people
Not at all. If my client had not subsequently caused mayhem locally, I would not have been exonerated. The GP had told me, quite plainly, I had no business requesting a visit.
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well we have different experiences
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The issue here is that some people (old or young) are just not competent enough to drive. The standard test only ensures the driver can operate a car and follow a few basic conventions in ordinary town traffic. Make the test harder. Put in some proper tests of skill - skid pan, emergency stopping from 70mph (not the joke emergency stop they currently test), emergency obstacle avoidance, etc. And re-test these at age 70. -- Mattster Boycott shoddy build and reliability.
As has been stated before it is not the lack of driving skills or poor reactions that causes most accidents; it is inappropriate attitude.
As for a harder driving test. Well what is difficult in braking from 70mph or more in car with ABS and Brake Assist?
Also it is perfectly legal for anyone to drive in UK with a driving licence issued by a host of other countries. It would be easy to get round any UK test made too difficult(and hence more expensive) by obtaining one from abroad. Years ago some wealthy people unable to pass a UK test (Diana Dors was an example) used to obtain a USA licence - which then did not require a practical test.
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