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| Thread ID: 97489 | 2009-02-17 20:38:00 | 89 yr old failed eye test, still drives. What to do? | Strommer (42) | PC World Chat |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 748827 | 2009-02-18 00:56:00 | A guy I know was told in no uncertain terms by his doctor that he cannot drive a car any more because his eyesight is so poor. He already has had several accidents (damage to his car but not to other cars, property or people) due to his poor eyesight. He is still driving, stubbornly saying that he still holds a legal license. Picking on him a bit aren't you? He hasn't as you say, hurt anyone or anyone elses car. He knows he will lose his license and then he'll be stuck relying on other people or even worse, public transport. I don't suppose he got to the age he is by being a total idiot, I'm sure he takes extra care knowing his sight is failing. Who are you to report him like criminal? I'd be more worried about the boys, like my neighbour who isn't at all bothered he got a ticket for doing 17kph over the limit, he was pointing out he had been going faster than that. All the young guys in my neighbourhood are the same and try and impress each other. That bothers me more. They haven't got the experience your old guy has. |
pctek (84) | ||
| 748828 | 2009-02-18 01:09:00 | I totally agree with what you have done Steve_L. I do work for The Royal New Zealand Foundation For The Blind and I remember going to a members home to see them but they were not there. The members mother was and I asked her where the person was and she said oh he is at such and such place which was 2 miles away. I then asked how he got there oh she said he drove his car there. :) |
Trev (427) | ||
| 748829 | 2009-02-18 02:35:00 | He already has had several accidents, not hurt anyone, probally due to the fact other people have been swerving out of his way. Only a matter of time, ticking time bomb. I do feel sorry for him, having to give up driving would suck big time. |
Rob99 (151) | ||
| 748830 | 2009-02-18 03:24:00 | He already has had several accidents, not hurt anyone, probally due to the fact other people have been swerving out of his way. Only a matter of time, ticking time bomb. I do feel sorry for him, having to give up driving would suck big time. I am sure you will fell a lot worse if he caused a fatal accident. I am sure his inusurers wouldn't be happy either that he is still driving. It is up to the doctor to inform the authorities/ltsa, and it is then up to the authorities to get him off the raod. |
robbyp (2751) | ||
| 748831 | 2009-02-18 07:14:00 | There are some conditions like epilepsy or heart problems that may respond to treatment where the doctor will tell the patient the mandatory stand down period without necessarily informing LTNZ. This trust by doctors already results in idiots continuing to drive when they shouldn't. Where it is something like eyesight that won't improve I don't know why the doctor didn't follow through. |
PaulD (232) | ||
| 748832 | 2009-02-18 22:00:00 | I share your concern however is there any evidence that a blind geriatric would be any more dangerous than all the other crazies out there, licenced or otherwise .... I wonder Presume he drives relatively slowly. Each to their own personally older people who cant quite see are the worst on the road I find particularly for anyone who rides a motorcycle. |
razzarphenix (2626) | ||
| 748833 | 2009-02-19 02:39:00 | There are some conditions like epilepsy or heart problems that may respond to treatment where the doctor will tell the patient the mandatory stand down period without necessarily informing LTNZ. This trust by doctors already results in idiots continuing to drive when they shouldn't. Where it is something like eyesight that won't improve I don't know why the doctor didn't follow through. Yeah, if it is a permanent problem (which it sounds like it is), then his doctor should be doing their job. If the old man caused an accident, the doctor could potentially be liable for costs, if he doesn't inform the proper authorities, as he has a duty of care. The biggest problem with these old blind drivers, is at intersections, they often just go straight through without looking. The old man sounds like he is beingreally selfish, and he is forgetting that it is a privaillage to drive, not a right. I wonder how many accidents are actually caused by those type of people? |
robbyp (2751) | ||
| 748834 | 2009-02-22 02:59:00 | I'm actually involved in the process of vision testing and relicensing people. The regulations state that if we are of the belief that a person is unsuitable to drive, but continues to do so, that we are to inform the Director, LTSA in writing. This over-rides the individuals rights to privacy. It's not easy though. If someone is in the city, with access to public transport, then fine, definitely stop them driving. If they're on their own and living in an isolated area, then it's a lot harder to leave them stranded at home. However, this guy sounds like quite a danger, and he needs to be stopped. Sorry, you won''t feel good about dobbing him in, but the rules and standards are there for the protection of all of us. Losing his licence still may not stop him. Who needs a plastic card to drive a car? It's just one more small step on the way to trying to get compliance out of the non-compliant in our society. At least if he then comes to the attention of the cops, it'll cost him $300 plus if he gets pulled over. |
Paul.Cov (425) | ||
| 748835 | 2009-02-22 03:06:00 | In the old days you could take the rotor out of the distributor and that stopped people driving. Although smart buggers carried a spare in the glove box. Since new cars dont have a distributor you cant stop them. |
prefect (6291) | ||
| 748836 | 2009-02-22 06:42:00 | These days we could use wheel clamps or impounding a vehicle. | Sweep (90) | ||
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