[agentorange]

Originally Posted by davyk31

What is he doing driving an old Freelander anyway, thought they would only drive fresh stuff.

I guess explaining how to keep a low profile in an anonymous vehicle is going to be tough on a BMW forum.

[F30Andy]

Originally Posted by davyk31

What is he doing driving an old Freelander anyway, thought they would only drive fresh stuff.

An SVR would have probably been harder for him to get in and out of.

[F30Andy]

Originally Posted by agentorange

to keep a low profile in an anonymous vehicle

You would think so but his grandsons are fans of Aldi and have had a few RS's between them.

An RS5 sitting on 21's being driven by a potential future monarch with a fleet of unmarked RPOs following is not exactly keeping a low profile in an inconspicuous car.

It was said that when Prince Billy developed a penchant for motorbikes in his younger days, a number of officers who had the appropriate bike licenses were seconded to RPO duties as most of his existing team were unable to ride bikes.
These officers were also given bikes with the appropriate power to keep up as HRH was a fan of breaking speeding laws. But then his vehicles are equipped with blues and toos so I would imagine he is probably allowed drive at speed.

[djcowlin]

It's interesting to see how this item on the BBC news web site has developed over the course of the day. Initially there was no reference to the possible cause of the accident, then a paragraph was added to the effect that the DoE had been overheard blaming the sun for dazzling him, then that paragraph was deleted. In the meantime, an image was added showing a replacement Freelander being delivered post haste to the Sandringham estate. Perhaps the royal family have GAP insurance? Or perhaps they get unlimited refills just 'cos they're who they are?

[JNW1]

Originally Posted by Goneinsixtyseconds

No 97 year old should be driving.

Originally Posted by gr4z

I agree no 97 year old should be driving

I understand your feelings and sentiments but out of interest at what age would you chaps stop people driving then? Simply using age alone seems very arbitrary to me (and is arguably discriminatory as well!).

[Wills2]

We don't know the specifics of the situation that lead up to the accident or if it was Nick the Greek's fault and if it was his fault whether his age played a part in the accident, which it could of.

I'm not sure I get all the angst against older drivers as it's not based on them causing more accidents as they don't, it's the 17-24 year olds that do that.

[Goneinsixtyseconds]

Originally Posted by davyk31

What is he doing driving an old Freelander anyway, thought they would only drive fresh stuff.

Seen them photographed plenty of times driving older cars on or around their estates. I guess they don't do many miles and will last ages.

[Goneinsixtyseconds]

Originally Posted by JNW1

I understand your feelings and sentiments but out of interest at what age would you chaps stop people driving then? Simply using age alone seems very arbitrary to me (and is arguably discriminatory as well!).

Let have 12 year olds driving as well then.

[MashinBenzin]

Originally Posted by JNW1

I understand your feelings and sentiments but out of interest at what age would you chaps stop people driving then? Simply using age alone seems very arbitrary to me (and is arguably discriminatory as well!).

For me it would be enhanced testing of observational skills, reaction times and perhaps motor skills. Simulation software is a cheap and simple way to do this.

Score below a certain score and you have to take a real test.

Test at 65 or 70. Score then determines how long before the next test, and so on.

[Isow]

Originally Posted by MashinBenzin

For me it would be enhanced testing of observational skills, reaction times and perhaps motor skills. Simulation software is a cheap and simple way to do this.

Score below a certain score and you have to take a real test.

Test at 65 or 70. Score then determines how long before the next test, and so on.

Yikes !
I’m 65.

[Lincoln61]

An interesting and difficult topic. As a Social Worker who works with the elderly I have in the past had to recommend people have their driving licence withdrawn. The risk to others is just too much and they are dangerous.

The impact of this can often be devastating on the person. Loss of independence, that little trip to the Spa may be the only social contact they have, or the trip to the social club where they meet their last surviving friend. Not even able to get to the doctor on their own results in delayed treatment and becoming dependent on others.

While it's the right thing to do, the consequences can be much more severe than you may think on first glance. So that question "why does he even bother to drive" needs putting in context. If you had retired from a busy job, felt your usefulness and purpose drifting away, wouldn't you like to do something simple that we take for granted like getting in the car?

[R0B]

He will hang up his boots now. It just won't be announced. I'm sure a lawyer has been to see the third party, coined them up for enough to clear their credit card debts and made them sign a very water-tight non disclosure.

I recently reported an elderly neighbour to the DVLA for clearly being past it. Felt a bit shit doing it but h s hit just about everything in the road (including my driveway furniture) and I just felt it was time he was checked before it's a child he hits instead. (We live 200 yards from the school).

[MashinBenzin]

Originally Posted by Isow

Yikes !
I’m 65.

Sorry! Doesn't feel like it will be long before I get there, to be honest

[MashinBenzin]

Originally Posted by Lincoln61

An interesting and difficult topic. As a Social Worker who works with the elderly I have in the past had to recommend people have their driving licence withdrawn. The risk to others is just too much and they are dangerous.

The impact of this can often be devastating on the person. Loss of independence, that little trip to the Spa may be the only social contact they have, or the trip to the social club where they meet their last surviving friend. Not even able to get to the doctor on their own results in delayed treatment and becoming dependent on others.

While it's the right thing to do, the consequences can be much more severe than you may think on first glance. So that question "why does he even bother to drive" needs putting in context. If you had retired from a busy job, felt your usefulness and purpose drifting away, wouldn't you like to do something simple that we take for granted like getting in the car?

Yes, it's a very serious subject. That's why I think testing, rather than an age-based cut off, makes sense. Some 80 year olds will be better than some 70 year olds.

It just feels like we have ready technology to handle this, so why not implement something? I'd have no problem if they said that everyone had to take a simulation based test every five years from the point of passing. Appreciate that's overkill, but if the sharpening of skills saves a few lives...well worth it.

[Lincoln61]

Originally Posted by MashinBenzin

Yes, it's a very serious subject. That's why I think testing, rather than an age-based cut off, makes sense. Some 80 year olds will be better than some 70 year olds.

It just feels like we have ready technology to handle this, so why not implement something? I'd have no problem if they said that everyone had to take a simulation based test every five years from the point of passing. Appreciate that's overkill, but if the sharpening of skills saves a few lives...well worth it.

Very good point. there is no cut off, its about ability not age. If you lack the ability at 60.......its time, but there needs to be the support to recognise the impact.

[Consett Mag]

Originally Posted by MashinBenzin

Yes, it's a very serious subject. That's why I think testing, rather than an age-based cut off, makes sense. Some 80 year olds will be better than some 70 year olds.

It just feels like we have ready technology to handle this, so why not implement something? I'd have no problem if they said that everyone had to take a simulation based test every five years from the point of passing. Appreciate that's overkill, but if the sharpening of skills saves a few lives...well worth it.

If the BBC's data is accurate it could be argued that if the under 24s drove as safely as the over 70s we'd have roughly a quarter of accidents!

Their stats didn't go into the accident data of the over 90's though!
But the bottom line is that over 70s are low risk for causing accidents.
Having said that, it's not unreasonable to require over 70s to have regular eye tests.

[dopper99]

Said on the ITV news at 10 that a new Land Rover had been delivered to Sandingham although no one is sure if it’s the Dukes replacement.

They also said there have been reports about the Dukes driving from the public near Sandringham and Balmoral.

Time for him to hang up the car keys I think.

[dazzapb]

Just some light relief was sent to me.

[TodmordenLad]

Originally Posted by dazzapb

Just some light relief was sent to me.

And probably not far from the truth, sadly...

[Broncho]

Do we get a day off when he finally croaks or is it just the queen?

[JustChris]

Originally Posted by dazzapb

Just some light relief was sent to me.

One has watched Bird Cage

[Techno 9000]

....the bottom line is that over 70s are low risk for causing accidents.
Having said that, it's not unreasonable to require over 70s to have regular eye tests.

I would point out the number of people of all ages with eyesight that requires correction to be up to driving. No different just because your 70+.

A colleague of mine started to need glasses in his 40's, by which time turned out to be quite strong. No wonder he had thought we were nutters when driving him, it appeared he could have hardly seen the end of the bonnet clearly before he got his glasses.