Meet the oldest Air Ambulance Nurse in Australia

Over 85 Medical test - some drivers can cope with fast lane. Others, cope with daily driving to shops, church etc (daily activities) maybe a restricted licence for those who cope daily and need their vehicle. But! Not OLD AGED PLATES - (S - senior or is that senile) 

I live in Hervey Bay and we have many elderly drivers. Recently there has been a couple of fatal accidents in a shopping centre car park where the elderly driver became confused and put their foot on the wrong pedal and instead of braking actually accelerated and killed a shopper. Also my father in his mid 70's was suffering alsymers and would start driving in traffic and would forget where he was going and would pull out at intersections in front of oncoming traffic causing traffic chaos. 

My comprehensive car insurance with Youi is $500.00 cheaper than Coles Insurance quoted me. No, I don't think people over 85 should have to have driving tests. They don't use their cars too much through the day and hardly ever drive at night. 

I just hope that they can get discounts to ease the pain that the elderly are experiencing with the high cost of living with Rates, Insurances, Electricity, Petrol etc especially for the self funded retirees. We receive no benifits from the Government only only a kick up the bum and made feel worthless. 

When comparing statistics about driving and collisions, all of the facts must be taken into account. I am 69, retired, and like most in the over 65 age group, do not drive nearly as often, or as far as I used to when employed. Whilst I drive long distances to visit family once or twice a year (I live in a country town) my daily driving is mostly around areas that I know well, and for only short distances, say less tha 40km. Young people are rarely out of their cars, driving constantly for work and leisure. So the statistics have not taken the hours driving into account. This makes a huge difference to the outcome. I agree that young drivers can be irrisponsible, but so can the over 80's, just in a different way. My mother continued to drive when I now realise she shouldn't have as her eyesight was defective, then she pulled out in front of a car on her right that she just didnt see and collided with it. She was injured and that injury stayed with her for the rest of her life. (She died at 96 years of age) Had she been tested at 85 she would have failed. Bite the bullet folks, we all consider ourselves to be 'good' drivers but our reflexes deteriorate whether we like to admit it or not, same with our eyesight. I will gladly submit to a test, for it may save my life, and more importantly the life of a child or young person with all of their lives yet to live. I couldn't live with that. 

Regarding driving tests, due to a disability at 50, I had to redo my driving test after a number of lessons. I learnt so much from those lessons and realised like most of us, I had some very bad habits which are now recitified. For example, the blind spot which most people think can be seen in their side mirrors! I do think everyone should be retested at 85. I am also an advocate for regular driving checks for us all. It seems most people consider themselves excellent drivers, so I wonder why we have so many accidents? 

I suggest older drivers should avail themselves of the services of RACV (or the equivalent in other states) to have a regular (every 2 years) driving check - this will provide an independent assessment of their suitability to be in charge of a vehicle (weapon) on the road. It's not expensive and will alert them to their bad habits and problem areas with their driving. It may well enable them to stay on the roads for longer and alert them to when the time has come to hand in their licence. They shouldn't cause their family to worry about having to 'dob them in'. I'm 74 and consider my licence to drive a very valuable entitlement, but I'm aware there may be a time when I will be irresponsible if I continue beyond when my level of competence is not appropriate. 

My Budget Direct policy is $3 cheaper than Coles Quote 

It is about time the government stopped selling our companies and jobs of overseas. I found one Australian owned red energy electricity company and will stay with them so our younger generation can work and they even give good discounts 

I'm hoping the 50up club will get more companies on board to give the 50+ discounts on everyday purchases, maybe a 50+ card !