Jump to more content from this blog
About this blog
The blog for the afternoon news and current affairs programme presented by Eddie Mair.
Subscribe to PM
You can stay up to date with PM via these feeds.
PM Feed(RSS)
PM Feed(ATOM)
If you aren't sure what RSS is you'll find our beginner's guide to RSS useful.
Listen to PM
© MMX~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~10~RS~)
Comments
Sign in or register to comment.
Definitely better than that, Eddie, but the issue of competency in driving isn't limited to older drivers. What about the 'professional' drivers (i.e. those for whom driving is a part and parcel of their work) who often develop very bad driving habits, ignore road signs, and are distracted by communications on their mobile phones (hand held or otherwise)?
However, that much said, there have been some horrific accidents caused by elderly drivers who are not competent to drive. I can remember the delicacy of convincing my mother, who has glaucoma, that she should consider carefully whether or not she should be driving. Sadly, the glaucoma (which had been under treatment for years, and for which she had operations) had damaged one of her eyes, and she discovered she had a blind spot. This wasn't discovered immediately, but in the meantime there was a high profile case of an elderly driver who killed a woman crossing the road with her grandchild, and I used that case to discuss the matter with her, along the lines of 'how would you feel if you were that driver?' It was an extremely uncomfortable discussion, but I felt it was my duty, as her daughter, to have it with her because I had concerns for her driving and could not have lived with myself if I hadn't, at the least, expressed those concerns. I hasten to add that she had not had any near misses or accidents, but it was clear that she was beginning to struggle.
As somebody who had driven since she was 17, who loved driving, and whose independence derived from being able to drive, this was the hardest of decisions for her, but she agreed that she might be unsafe, had an eye test, was declared unfit to drive, and had to give up her car. But she has never regretted that as she accepts that, as a driver, she had huge responsibilities towards others as well as herself.
Nowadays she is dependent upon the kindness of others, or taxis, to get around, but as a very elderly person she accepts this is the case. She taught both my brother and I to drive, and she was a very fine driver. I hope that both my brother and I will have the courage and good sense to know when we should reconsider our status as drivers.
Complain about this comment
I performed to what has become my usual "standard" yesterday. A slice off the first Tee, landing in the rough to the right, half way down the fairway. And so on...
As with other forms of driving I do, I'ts apparent that with age, things are not improving...
Complain about this comment
I used to be very good at parallel parking but I've got worse in the last few years. Having driven 4 different cars in the last few days (my clutch went on christmas morning - ouch!) I feel I could drive almost anything!
Complain about this comment
Charlie (2), check your stance and your grip. make sure the club face is addressing the ball correctly. Keep your head still and smoothly follow through!
DiY
Complain about this comment
DI@04
I appreciate your advice. Truly.
Although, I'd've appreciated it even more if you'd given it me about 3-hours ago. That's when my friendly Golf-Pro, in the spirit of Christmas, relieved me of £30 for the same!
Incidentally, I addressed the ball in a most appropriate manner...
Complain about this comment
I cannot drive, Eddie. So I would score badly against a drive off with the likes of the Stig from "Top Gear".
Talking of Top Gear - apart from Clarkson and Co acting - allegedly - like they are on the stuff - sort of "top Mike McGear". Formerly of The Scaffold.
And a football player just reported arrested.
What always surprises me is it is NOT any every day occurence. Someone on FiveLive stayed legally tactful about that particular instance. So I too will NOT be commenting on THAT incident.
However those well known - allegedly - must have daily detractors and be baited unmercifully. It may go on for months or even years and then a reaction.
Sorry - I am just remembering national Ex's Press coaching I had today. Where was I? Oh yes.
Never having experienced such attention myself - I am surprised how more celebrities aren't arrested for inappropriate reactions to unwanted interest. I hope never to BE TESTED.
I was on Eric Cantona's side you know? That famous jumping into the crowd time and am thoroughly ashamed of myself as it seems to condone boorish behaviour.
I sometimes hear what hopefully very few football fans say to players on the pitch via my TV mikes and know I wouldn't stand for such treatment too quietly for very long.
Just for the lenght of the Mighty "Drive" perhaps! 3 hours is it?
'ell Plates still needed then, Eddie?
Complain about this comment
As a professional driver trainer and assessor, I find that driving competence, or lack of it, knows no barriers of age or sex. I have assessed 'expert' high-mileage company car drivers, whose last mirror check was when they brushed their teeth that morning; elderly drivers, worried about their standards, with whom I have felt quite comfortable in heavy traffic; and youngsters ranging from the lunatic to the amazingly mature and capable. There are no two drivers alike, though it is all too easy to categorise 'white van man' (some truth); 'school-run Mum or Dad (more truth); BMW man (a great deal of truth); and mini-cab man (virtually all true!)
The essential fact is that everyone thinks they are 'good drivers', often pointing to a history of no accidents, or an IAM badge earned in 1965, or merely a lack of damage to the car.
In my daily work I deal with drivers who:
1 - don't know even a fraction of the Highway Code
2 - don't understand speed limits
3 - Fail to observe even the most obvious things (signs, hazards)
4 - Don't understand their own vehicle
5 - simply don't take driving seriously, or
6 - simply don't care!
Complain about this comment
View these comments in RSS