I started a web poll on the newspaper website about older drivers. Do people think drivers over 60 are better, worse or the same as others?
The question followed a series of incidents in the space of a few weeks.
These included a 93-year-old man driving into a parked vehicle, an 88-year-old unlicensed driver crashing into a fence and an elderly motorist crossing the footpath and smashing into a clothing store.
Call me alarmist if you like, but I saw a pattern developing here.
Fact is, I’ve always been concerned whenever I see a motorist in a hat crouched over the steering wheel. I have a sneaky suspicion they really shouldn’t be on the road.
I know young men without fear cause most accidents, but as a proportion of the population I suspect the geriatric brigade are significant contributors.
I’ve long felt it should be an offence to drive at 20 percent under the speed limit on open roads.
People doing that without a good reason (eg towing a trailer) cause impatience and push reckless drivers to take risks. Not to mention there is no justification for it and no real safety benefit.
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