Old drivers

Steeps · 30 Mar 2006 at 02:41

normally when in this situation i just hold back with enough space for cars to overtake me if they feel like having a go, as there isn't much i can do in a car with 68bhp without a hill and a long clear straight.

zain · 30 Mar 2006 at 03:03

I always try to see the drivers face; as soon as I see an old face I know to slow down and keep my distance. 9/10 times they pull out on me or do something that poses a danger if I didnt slow down. My worst was doing 60 on a dual carriageway and he pulled out, I just missed the barrier and he moved back in time, stayed calm though I didnt give any abuse. If anyone hurls abuse at an old person, shame on you and I hope you get it back!

Dr Who · 30 Mar 2006 at 06:04

[TW]Fox said:
Yup, thats very annoying.

Whats even more annoying is when you get 5 of them together.

All 3 inches from the guy in fronts bumper. So there is no way of overtaking them one by one, you've got to either:

a) Wait for the worlds biggest gap and get all 5
b) Buy an Evo

Trouble is by the time you have pulled over and bought the evo, insured it and got back on the road, they will have long since gone

William · 30 Mar 2006 at 09:15

Pho said:
You can also get to Manchester via the Peak District and through Buxton. Very nice open roads but they have police helicoptors patrolling the area every once in a while .

(I went from Ashbourne to Manchester the other day, came back and couldn't see 10 meters in front of me due to very thick fog, not fun ).

Yeah I did in Saturday, Monday and Tuesday both ways, on Saturday is was totally fogged up, not nice.

I was driving to Alderwasly, which is somewhere past Belper I think, I was coming down this huge hill and the whole valley was flooded with fog, Alderwasly school is this big old Castle and it was being stuck in Transylvania or somwhere.

Sp00n · 30 Mar 2006 at 09:33

I wouldn't like to generalise on the old population but gman has a point, dont get me wrong though, i see plenty other drivers who SUCK hard, not indicating, not looking where they're going, on the mobile etc... and to be honest i see more 'commuters' driving badly than i do old people.

mauron · 30 Mar 2006 at 10:19

sp00n - Thanks for sticking up for us oldies

mrthingyx · 30 Mar 2006 at 10:20

JRS said:
I do wonder if all the people who say "old drivers should have their license taken off them" will willingly hand their license over when they become old enough for someone to deem them "too old to be driving"?

Happily, because by that time I will either:

1) Have my own 'James'
2) Not live in this country
3) We'll have a good enough public transport system not to need cars
4) I won't be able to afford one anyway
5) Go for a retest

As somebody posted further back, being a rubbish/unsafe driver is not dependant on your age/sex. I know and have experience of plenty of drivers from all age groups who I'd consider extremely unsafe, but that's academic.

Being old will generally not help as it can lead to a deterioration in eye sight, joint mobility, marbles, etc. and a predisposition to get indignant about all sorts of things. Just as being a young driver can lead to a desire to impress one's mates, taking chances, too much faith in youthful reactions and inconsiderateness (word?). Along with a penchant for getting indignant about all sorts of things.

Yes, I get stuck behind people that really hack me off; yes, I have had people jump out of side-roads, etc. without looking. But I'm sure I'm no flawless gem when it comes to driving: I drive to the utmost of my ability 95% of the time but that 5% is what gets other people annoyed and me in to trouble*.

*Just so you know, I've not been caught speeding for six years (first and only time) and not had any accidents: I have a clean license and have never made any insurance claims or had any claims set against me.

edwardcasbon1 · 30 Mar 2006 at 14:24

your all moaning about old ppl doing 10-20mph. Why dont you just overtake and be done with it?

It annoys me too, but you either a) overtake or b) relax and take it easy

Simple

Smiley Man · 30 Mar 2006 at 17:30

members of the 45mph club really get on my norks, i think they should make those diamond things that say "warning doddery old fart onboard"

not all old drivers are bad, just the ones that are are awful

Muban · 30 Mar 2006 at 17:54

Bad drivers annoy me - age doesn't really matter.

As many under 25 drivers annoy me as old drivers (lads on NSL roads and girls in car parks). Mums in 4x4s too - thinking that because they have their precious cargo in the biggest car they could purchase means they are immune to all hazards (usually risking you in the process).

These days unless they have very nearly involved me in an accident I tend to just ignore them and don't let them get to me.