RANT - Old people on our roads

[4Vman]

Originally Posted by RTSW

Where did you pull this from? The local tip? Where has this idea of activist hippy teachers of the modern age spawned from? What a load of garbage. Not one teacher has ever told me anything of the sort, nor any of my friends, relatives or known people from school. You've been told an absolute WHOPPER there.

Thankyou, my points proven....

[Full Noise]

Originally Posted by RTSW

Ok...? I could obtain my learners at the earliest age of 16 so I got them then. I got my P's at 18 because that was the earliest I could get them.

You’ve got a lot to learn, ol mate.

[eb_5litre]

I still havent seen a valid argument as to why testing the elderly is such a bad thing. Whats the harm? If you dont pass then you shouldnt be on the road..... hell, bring it in for everybody I dont care.... its just the poll was asking about the elderly specifically and it appears that 85% of people that has visited this thread agree.

[flappist]

Originally Posted by eb_5litre

I still havent seen a valid argument as to why testing the elderly is such a bad thing. Whats the harm? If you dont pass then you shouldnt be on the road..... hell, bring it in for everybody I dont care.... its just the poll was asking about the elderly specifically and it appears that 85% of people that has visited this thread agree.

And if you had actually read the thread you would know that the elderly already require medicals and on going testing.

[aussiblue]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Quote:
Originally Posted by aussiblue
"It would be nice to get a further break down of the 70+ stats i.e the same 19 year interval as for the other groups that is the 70 to 89 and 90 to 109 to see how/if it changes."

Reply:
Not sure what the point of that is, its obvious that there is a continual diminishing level of driving competency from age 70 onwards...

Actually it isn't obvious and you actually cannot validly conclude from those graphs and figures that driving competency declines from 70 years onwards. Yes there is a marked decline from the 50 to 69 year old group to the 70 plus group but this could simply mean that while the 70 to 89 accident rate continues to improve, levels out or declines slightly, the dramatically worse performance (as you would expect) of the 90 to 109 year old over weights and grossly distorts the 70 plus figures. OK I accept it is probably not the case that the 70 to 89 year old perform better than than the 50 to 69 year old group but perhaps they are not as bad as the graph indicates. In any event it would be nice to know the breakdown.

[russellw]

It's Victorian data only - and it is for the 20 year period ending December 2007 so there should be sufficient statistical data to iron out any variations.

For the purpose of the exercise I have used 2004 population data as I have it broken down by individual year (scary how many people are over 100).

Unlike the previous set this data is for fatalities only comparing Males and Females by 10 year age groups except the 18-29, 60-74 and 75+ groups. Once again a higher figure is better.

As the numbers aren't terribly clear in the graph here is the table they are based on:



On this basis we would conclude that 75+ males are almost exactly as safe as 30-39 year olds, the 60-74 year olds a little better and the 50-59 age group the least likely to be killed in a road accident.

For females it is a similar pattern except the 60+ group have less fatal accidents than any other age group except the 50-59 one which is better again.

The simple inescapable fact is that the 18-29 males have a three times greater chance of being killed in a road accident than the 40-59 age group; two and a half times greater than the 60-75's and 1.8x that of the 75+ group.

[4Vman]

Pretty hard to argue with the FACTS.

[outback_chick]

I like those statistics.... if I'm correct then in reading... it shows
18 - 29 yr old FEMALES.... are least likely to be killed in a road accident than
18 - 49 yr old males.... ner ner :P and have less chance thereafter
Looking good fellas :P

[xbgs351]

Originally Posted by outback_chick

I like those statistics.... if I'm correct then in reading... it shows
18 - 29 yr old FEMALES.... are least likely to be killed in a road accident than
18 - 49 yr old males.... ner ner :P and have less chance thereafter
Looking good fellas :P

Less likely. The least likely are the 50-59 females.

[russellw]

If we go a step further and look at serious injuries as well as fatalities (just in case the improved survivability of modern vehicles is slanting the figures) we get the following table:

[4Vman]

Those figures are even more conclusive..

Its rather quiet in here now...!

[xbgs351]

Why do the population figures have two decimal places?

[outback_chick]

Originally Posted by xbgs351

Less likely. The least likely are the 50-59 females.

Sorry... Youll have to excuse my grammer I'm young and stupid.. he he he.. but I'm not afraid to admit I'm wrong.. :P

[Fev]

Are these statistics taking into account that there are less +70 drivers on our roads then 50-69 yr old drivers??

[4Vman]

Originally Posted by Fev

Are these statistics taking into account that there are less +70 drivers on our roads then 50-69 yr old drivers??

? did you read the stats??? its based on deaths or injuries per head of the nominated age demographic...

[gtxb67]

Originally Posted by Fev

Are these statistics taking into account that there are less +70 drivers on our roads then 50-69 yr old drivers??

probably not, but i would think most people have seen more young to middle aged people waiting beside a crashed car than an older one. older people in general have smaller accidents which results in less deaths and injuries.
do we have figures of how many older people made exclusively older people mistakes, like foot slipping of the brake etc. compared to young people doing their normal stupid thing on the roads

it is true that all people can be dangerous, no matter what their age, it only takes less than a second of inattention for disaster to follow. more tolerance should be given to older people though, due to the debt society owes them, freedom, etc.
exactly how much tolerance we give them, i do not have an opinion on. however, it seems to me that young people get too much tolerance. it is the idiots doing wheelspins and driving like morons, that get the police and rule makers on the backs of the responsible people who's crime is to drive a nice looking car. and then those same people complain that everytime they drive their fully sick piece of crap, they get targetted by the police, even if it is the one time they are driving normally. older people are not responsible for the endless round-a-bouts and speed humps that go up everywhere and make it close to impossible to drive my car down a particular road - they are the fault of the morons, who are generally the young

[xbgs351]

I'm still amazed that the proponents of compulsory licence testing for older drivers don't seem to realise that one day (if they are lucky) they will be older drivers themselves.

I think it is a case of younger drivers feeling that they are being picked on and then trying to make themselves feel better by picking on the next easiest target being older drivers.

[4Vman]

I think the point that allot of people are missing is that the system already makes allowance for demished capacity via the "elderly" persons doctor who can and do make recommendations regarding the mental and physical capacity of their patient to drive a motor vehicle, effectively forcing retesting, not to mention the care and concern shown by sibblings..
My mother has just "removed" the keys from my Grandfather, who at 89 hasnt had an accident in 40 years...
This does in most cases cover the demands made here already...
Imagine the uproar if parents and doctors did the same with some younger drivers!!!!
Statistically anyway the demographic in question are a long way from being a major issue compared to others...

[xbgs351]

I was just having a laugh thinking about all these people who would have Sambo (Brian Sampson) doing compulsory driving tests, but they are probably that young and naive that they don't even know who he is.

[Fev]

being young doesnt mean we're naive - also being young means we didnt get a chance to learn about racing drivers from the middle of the last centruy. And Why would a racing driver who has gotten older be exempted from mandatory old age driving tests? Just because he was a racing driver doesnt mean his eyes dont get cataracts, he doesnt become slower and doesnt become senile..

[FalconXR6]

I believe that elderly drivers should diplay "E" plates (as discussed here in Tas a few months ago).

The hypocricy from the elderly at the suggestion was incredible!!!
They claimed age discrimination.
Yet, it's quite reasonable for younger people to be age discriminated against in the form of insurance, displaying "P" plates with restrictions, etc.

The elderly displaying "E" plates would encourage tolerance IMO.
If I'm following an "L" or "P" plater travelling at 80 on the highway (the law) or driving slowly (learning), I am much more tolerant than I am of a fully licensed driver doing the same thing - which is what the elderly do.

I too will be old one day and would rather display "E" plates to encourage tolerance and let the world know that I'm no longer as sharp as I used to be...

[Fev]

of course its age discrimination - we arnt gonna go after 40 year olds for having mind deterioration problems etc are we!

[flappist]

Originally Posted by Fev

of course its age discrimination - we arnt gonna go after 40 year olds for having mind deterioration problems etc are we!

Well you might in a few years when your mind has matured out of the adolescent phase and you can actually reason and understand complex issues.
Of course you will not say silly thing like the above then.

[Fev]

ok next time i will have to put more depth into what i say for those who cant think for themselves and understand a simple statement

[flappist]

Originally Posted by Fev

ok next time i will have to put more depth into what i say for those who cant think for themselves and understand a simple statement

See as you are getting older you are getting better already....

[vztrt]

Originally Posted by gtxb67

everyone (not just on this forum) is quick to pass the blame onto someone else, anyone as long as it is not them
everyone should aim to be a better, more tolerant driver instead of blaming trucks, motorcycles, cars, bicycles, roadworks, taxis, old, young, people who turn without indicating, people who drive faster/slower, cutting through servo's etc. etc. etc. etc.
everyone should build a bridge and get on with becoming a safer and more observant driver

obviously i am one of the few people, who is not perfect and makes mistakes on the road. it is amazing considering how perfect everyone else is, that none of my mistakes have cost me in over 21 years

lol, good post.

Jeez its become whingefest 2008. People just dont wanna be accountable for their own actions.

[Rodp]

Originally Posted by FalconXR6

Yet, it's quite reasonable for younger people to be age discriminated against in the form of insurance, displaying "P" plates with restrictions, etc.

The elderly displaying "E" plates would encourage tolerance IMO.
If I'm following an "L" or "P" plater travelling at 80 on the highway (the law) or driving slowly (learning), I am much more tolerant than I am of a fully licensed driver doing the same thing - which is what the elderly do.

I too will be old one day and would rather display "E" plates to encourage tolerance and let the world know that I'm no longer as sharp as I used to be...

P plates isn't age discrimination though. It's a plate which signifies an inexperienced driver. If someone were to tootle to the RTA at the age of 50 having never held a licence and passes their driving test, are they exempt from wearing a P plate because they're 50?

More expensive insurance for young drivers is based on crash statistics. Look up a few posts. *At best*, 18-29's are twice more likely to be involved in an accident than any other age group (per head). I'd wager that if you were to drop it to 18-25, it would be even higher. 18-29's are statistically more likely to be involved in an accident, therefore insurance companies offer higher premiums to offset the increased cost of repairs in that age group.

We'll ask you how keen you are about the E plates in about 50 years time, shall we? ;)

[Fev]

we'll since they'd never get off their E plates as they can only get older, the plate should be allowed inside the car - that way no other thieving E platers will steal them just like what happens to all the p-platers..

[flappist]

Originally Posted by Fev

we'll since they'd never get off their E plates as they can only get older, the plate should be allowed inside the car - that way no other thieving E platers will steal them just like what happens to all the p-platers..

So you want to take the only excuse they have when they forget where they put them. You meany.......

[xbgs351]

Originally Posted by Fev

being young doesnt mean we're naive - also being young means we didnt get a chance to learn about racing drivers from the middle of the last centruy. And Why would a racing driver who has gotten older be exempted from mandatory old age driving tests? Just because he was a racing driver doesnt mean his eyes dont get cataracts, he doesnt become slower and doesnt become senile..

Now isn't that just showing your own naivety?

Maybe because he still drives in Formula Ford, Formula 3 and historics. It wasn't that long ago that he came third in the state Formula Ford Championships. I doubt anybody on this forum is posting lap times like Brian is.

As for being senile, I hardly think he would be running such a large company as Speco Thomas if that were the case.