Bigpower

Following a recent encounter with a dithering coffin dodger in Crickhowell, who I almost had a head on encounter with whilst he was coming the wrong way down a one way road, I started thinking.....at what stage in life do you suddenly lose all road sense and become a danger to other motorists?


It can't just be a case of 'old age makes you a shit driver' as the likes of Sir Jackie Stewart (74) and Sir Stirling Moss (84) demonstrate


and it can't just be eyesight related because there are plenty of motorists out there (myself included) who don't have 100% full functioning eyes.

Having said that it would appear that if the drivers eyesight is well below par it doesn't really matter as the passenger, who's eyesight is also cataract ridden (albeit not to the extent of the drivers) can act as a kind of co-driver come navigator and advise when it is a suitable time to pull out of a junction

*as my wife was to find out a few years back when said couple decided to pull out of a junction and 'T' bone the car......drivers excuse "My wife didn't see the other car coming"


and let's not even get onto the speed issue


it's almost as if suddenly they decide that the national speed limit of '60' is far too fast and that '32' is a far more suitable speed to be driving at despite it being a bright crisp morning on a clear open road (and not just on Sundays now by all accounts!)

The speed thing in my opinion is partially age related. As you get older you tend to move and do things at a slower pace but this becomes normal and relative to everything you do.
The other issue again my own opinion, is partially down to mobility. With age or illness it becomes harder to extend joints such as ankles and this affects how fast you drive. Or in my case just being a shortass:frown:

Whenever Alan drives the Frontera it always takes me a couple of attempts to reset me seat and i can always tell by if i'm driving faster or slower than normal.

Don't forget that many older folk simply don't give a fuck. No need to expand on that