Driving the wrong way down the A1...

Firegod · 19 May 2006 at 11:29

Enfield said:
She then indicated to go round the bends!!

hah I love that one, you'll probably find that she doesn't indicate on round-abouts though. :rolleyes:

Ukadder · 19 May 2006 at 11:34

I'll have to look out for her next time I'm in Dunmow

Sagalout · 19 May 2006 at 11:45

I'd be in favour of a retest at 65, but then again, despite the comedy driving of a few oaps there are still far more accidents caused by young men aged 18-25. Personally I'd like to see a bike style system in place, so you can only drive a car up to x bhp until 21 or something. It would need to be a bit more complex than that though and have be bhp/tonne or something.

iCraig · 19 May 2006 at 11:58

I don't know what it is about old people, but they seem to enjoy driving over things. I remember a few years ago, a really old man (probably about 160 years old) drove the wrong way onto a business park car park. The spikes that are the deterrent burst both is front tyres and his left rear. He stopped. Reversed back onto the road and drove off. :confused:

DannyDan · 19 May 2006 at 13:18

Sagalout said:
Personally I'd like to see a bike style system in place, so you can only drive a car up to x bhp until 21 or something. It would need to be a bit more complex than that though and have be bhp/tonne or something.

Yup, this would definitely stop old people driving the wrong way down A-roads and motorways

Dutch Guy · 19 May 2006 at 14:56

iCraig said:
The spikes that are the deterrent burst both is front tyres and his left rear. He stopped. Reversed back onto the road and drove off.

Just thought about that, why don't they use those spikes on offramps on the motorways?

Anyway, a test every 5 years when over a certain age sounds a good idea but I think the younger drivers are for more dangerous though so it might only stop a few bad cases like in this thread.

milgo · 19 May 2006 at 15:27

Bit off topic but, sagalout I don't think that bike style would really work. Well in my case, I have a golf mk2 gti 16v as my first car. I know my car has the power when I need it for motorway driving to do last minute maneuvers safely. I have been driving a Ka the past week and find myself in some real sticky situations because of its lack of power and peoples lack of respect for the car. Some people will just drive like idiots even in a slow car, sometimes even more so because they feel they have to compensate.

Phantom · 19 May 2006 at 15:32

exchange driving license for bus pass. problem solved.

JRS · 19 May 2006 at 16:07

Anyone still think speed cameras are a viable alternative to traffic police?

[TW]Fox said:
Come on guys, why should she be banned?

She was only driving the opposite direction down a dual carriageway causing oncoming cars to swerve, not like she was doing something reckless and dangerous like cruising in the outside lane at 100, now that WOULD have got her a ban.

The_Dark_Side · 19 May 2006 at 17:23

Vertigo1 said:
Nope, been saying that for years (although I think a forced retest every 10 years would do) and I've yet to hear a convincing argument against it.

i don't agree with the 10 years you suggest, i feel five years is a good time frame as your eyesight alone can deteriorate significantly in a period such as this.
although a re-assessment may be enough and not necessarily a full-blown re-test.

Dr Who said:
No, just old farts, who probably never took a test in the first place...

i doubt there are many drivers in the 93 yrs+ bracket still on our roads.

Sagalout said:
Personally I'd like to see a bike style system in place, so you can only drive a car up to x bhp until 21 or something. It would need to be a bit more complex than that though and have be bhp/tonne or something.

i've said a smiliar things for a long time.

Dutch Guy said:
Anyway, a test every 5 years when over a certain age sounds a good idea but I think the younger drivers are for more dangerous though so it might only stop a few bad cases like in this thread.

perhaps because it could stop traffic exiting the slip road due to some twonk blowing his tyres out?

rG-tom · 19 May 2006 at 17:26

The_Dark_Side said:
i don't agree with the 10 years you suggest, i feel five years is a good time frame as your eyesight alone can deteriorate significantly in a period such as this.
although a re-assessment may be enough and not necessarily a full-blown re-test.

i doubt there are many drivers in the 93 yrs+ bracket still on our roads.

i've said a smiliar things for a long time.

perhaps because it could stop traffic exiting the slip road due to some twonk blowing his tyres out?

would you prefer a stopped car at the end of a slip road, or a car travelling towards you at 70mph whilst you're doing 70mph?

Tom.

Indy500 · 19 May 2006 at 17:28

Isnt there a re-test at 70 already?

Jet · 19 May 2006 at 17:33

Why not make her do a new test?

She made a ridiculous error and she should have to prove that she is competent on the road. I wonder how many in their 70's and 80's would pass a test if taken tommorow.

The_Dark_Side · 19 May 2006 at 17:38

rG-tom said:
would you prefer a stopped car at the end of a slip road, or a car travelling towards you at 70mph whilst you're doing 70mph?

Tom.

i'd prefer one of two things to happen.
1.compulsive reassesments would ensure drivers were still upto date and focused enough to hold a license.
2.if even after re-training/re-assessment said driver is still stupid enough to drive the wrong way down a sliproad, at least when the penny finally drops he can move his car out of harms way while he works out what to do, rather than immobilise it right at the top of the slip road.

The_Dark_Side · 19 May 2006 at 17:39

Jet said:
Why not make her do a new test?

She made a ridiculous error and she should have to prove that she is competent on the road. I wonder how many in their 70's and 80's would pass a test if taken tommorow.

probably not much less than those in their 20's or 30's.