180 over 70's giving up their driving licences

Not me I live rural, but would be happy to take a test.

I think it’s just a statistic. Without being too bleak, how many of this number are due to death and not illness?..
I don’t know anyone in their 70’s who feel this way.
Sorry to be so negative 😳

Not me either!

My Dad gave up his licence in his early 70's when he moved in with us. Didn't need it as had us to drive him around!
He was physically and cognitively perfectly well, but I was glad he stopped as the last time he took me out in his car it was quite scary. I think he just didn't drive often enough to keep in proper practice so his skills deteriorated. He is long gone now though and I am now 71 and couldn't imagine not wanting/needing to drive anymore. If my kids ever tell me my driving is scary I will happily give it up.

It’s in the Express. Must be true 🤷‍♀️

I know one person over 70 who has given up their licence. She gave up last year when she was 89.

Mum still has hers but she sold her car last year. She’s 98.

I had to give up mine last July 82 years old because of failing eyesight. I have missed it daily ever since.

In the DE? It must be true, er,...

I’m in my 70’s and this past week have taken up driving in the US. I intend to hire a car next time I visit.

Number will increase when eye tests are brought in, medical tests will not have such a large effect because if they are too demanding many disabled drivers will be unable to meet the standard, that will be controversial.

I imagine that quite a lot of older drivers, who might otherwise have kept driving occasionally, have given up when faced with the medical questions that they face when applying to renew their licence.
As many on Gransnet have already discovered, the DVLA can keep coming back for more info, and then keep you on tenterhooks for many months waiting for their decision on whether or not they are going to approve your renewal.

Mind you, I strongly suspect from threads on the subject of licences that many of the people who say that they keep renewing their licence just so that they have ID must be selective with the truth about their medical conditions on their applications. And if someone has that licence and still has access to a car, you can bet that some of them (though hopefully very very few!) will still be tempted to drive sometimes!

All very well but public transport and taxis are thin on the ground in some places, especially rural areas.

Presumably because they needed to? Don’t see the issue.

Can't see why? Most 70+ year old I know are as "fit as fleas" and looking fabulous.
As it's reported in the Daily Express, it has to be true!!!

My issue here is 1) every case should be considered on its own merits, but no doubt a lack of staffing will impact this and 2) whether we are prepared to admit it or not, many of us might be dangerous on the roads in later life, not necessarily 70, due to failing eyesights and decreasing reflexes.

No,but I would have a test to check my responses and judgement on the road, this I think is necessary, I have been pondering on having a few driving lessons to check myself, though my reactions are excellent and I am aware and never zone out,

What a lovely story. Someone actually taking care of their elderly parents Good to read

Was referring to Pinks comments about her Dad

I have a fried who was 90 this year. She is marvellous....puts me to shame....drives, goes to the gym 2ctimes a week and swim once a week. She keeps her mind active playing cards and board games. She goes on coach holidays usually alone and looks after herself completely alone. I would feel safe in her car.

It's a huge change. I had my car written off in an accident at the beginning of this year. It was a huge wake up call which showed me some of of what growing older might feel like (I was injured), that I'm further from town than I thought I was, and that my social life might be severely curtailed.

I've replaced the car and healed but I don't think I will be driving for as long as I thought I would - I'm not so sure about the other drivers on the road!

It is a major decision.

I did a bit of maths and with less than 66k giving up their licences annually against 9.7 million of us being over 70, I reckon that is less than 1.5% of the over 70's giving up driving annually. Seems about right to me and I suspect a high proportion of those are over 80.

My husband's aunt finally gave up at 99! She only drove locally around Brighton and lived til 102.

I haven't given mine up.
In my 80s, I am not driving any more. No car.
But, not having a passport, I need it for ID!