Harsh, or fully justified

[Demannu]

https://www.itv.com/news/wales/2023-01- ... old-driver

Is there any point in jailing a 97 yo?
Granted, a danger to all around him, but it does sound like the impact was a low speed collision and the pedestrian was pretty frail as well.
When you hear of people getting g a slap on the wrists for excessive speed or Dwdc or Twocing your dads Audi and killing 2 people, then to condemn him to die behind bars is a bit harsh imo.

[MrLongbeard]

Tidily pom

I had to sit in the middle of persuading MiL to give up her license which was a stand up knock down cat fight on multiple occasions, and I know of 2 more who really should, and tell 'em both every time I see them, so harsh? yes very, but as a potential warning to other oldies who really shouldn't be on the road, I can see some merit in it

[Skub]

https://www.itv.com/news/wales/2023-01- ... old-driver

Is there any point in jailing a 97 yo?
Granted, a danger to all around him, but it does sound like the impact was a low speed collision and the pedestrian was pretty frail as well.
When you hear of people getting g a slap on the wrists for excessive speed or Dwdc or Twocing your dads Audi and killing 2 people, then to condemn him to die behind bars is a bit harsh imo.

I think death by DD carries a mandatoory jail sentence,yes? If so the judge can only work with what they've got.

There's nothing at all to be gained from banging up a 97 y/o,just take away his books,fine him or whatever.

My Da was about 90 when he decided for himself,he wasn't confident enough to keep driving,but most folk understandably don't want to volunteer for the loss of freedom. I regularly encounter drivers at night who very obviously can't see for shit,driving slowly and erratic on an unlit road,then away like the clappers in a 30 zone because the streetlights allow them to see better.

[G.P]

Hang the stupid old fucker. slowly.

[exportman]

My father had exactly the same condition. I took his keys of him after going to the eye hospital with him. He should have stopped driving some time before but it was not until a relative called me after she had be take on a trip with him that I was even aware. These people are good at hiding it. Usually its the focus vision that is lost so they can still see well enough to navigate when walking without bumping in to things.

FYI He didn't speak with me for 6 months following this despite the fact I picked him up every week to come to my house for Sunday dinner

[Demannu]

Tidily pom

I had to sit in the middle of persuading MiL to give up her license which was a stand up knock down cat fight on multiple occasions, and I know of 2 more who really should, and tell 'em both every time I see them, so harsh? yes very, but as a potential warning to other oldies who really shouldn't be on the road, I can see some merit in it

Fil had to have his keys confiscated in the end, as we found him trying to drive to a funeral after the doctor had told him he wasn't fit to drive anymore.
Pretty sure it will all come to us in the end as well, but the merit of a custodial sentence.......

[Yorick]

Yup. twat.

[ChrisW]

Knew he shouldn't have been driving, killed someone & from what I just read I couldn't say for sure that he wouldn't have tried driving again.

[Noggin]

Yes. But when you compare to others offences/accidents etc, it seems harsh. Maybe the others are too lenient?


I was driven by a friend back in October and he scared the crap out of me. I'm not a good passenger at the best of times, but at the speeds we were doing, I would have been fine. But not with his driving.

I have no idea how to ask him when he last had his eyes tested. It's not a conversation I want to have and not seeing him or his wife often means it would be a challenge to have the discussion before May. Even then, how do you tell a guy that is old, but still loves his car (big beefy Subaru) and his bike (not that he's ridden that much recently) that maybe he's not safe? For all I know he's always driven like that

Usually its the focus vision that is lost so they can still see well enough to navigate when walking without bumping in to things.

That would make sense for my friend. He cooks (uses VERY sharp knives) and plays guitar fine, so he may not be fully aware - maybe?

[Mussels]

We've had a stroke of luck with my FiL as he shouldn't be driving. He lives in the new ulez zone and his car isn't compliant so he needs to sell it, a replacement hasn't been mentioned so fingers crossed he's going to give up the little diving he still does.

[Trinity765]

I had to stop my Mum from driving and it was one of the hardest things I've done. She didn't want to give up and the family didn't support me..........until they went out in the car with her. I think this sentence was just, but having said that do prisons have the right kind of care in place for someone that old. He will need extra medical attention and possibly nappies. There has to be some kind of harsh penalty for dangerous driving or old folk, like my Mum, will carry on "popping to the shops" thinking that they'll get away with it. I've a lot of respect for people who hang their keys up when they know they are a risk.

[Mussels]

I had to stop my Mum from driving and it was one of the hardest things I've done. She didn't want to give up and the family didn't support me..........until they went out in the car with her. I think this sentence was just, but having said that do prisons have the right kind of care in place for someone that old. He will need extra medical attention and possibly nappies. There has to be some kind of harsh penalty for dangerous driving or old folk, like my Mum, will carry on "popping to the shops" thinking that they'll get away with it. I've a lot of respect for people who hang their keys up when they know they are a risk.

When justifying a trans wing a Scottish prison chap said they already have hospice wings due to the number of elderly prisoners.

[Trinity765]

I had to stop my Mum from driving and it was one of the hardest things I've done. She didn't want to give up and the family didn't support me..........until they went out in the car with her. I think this sentence was just, but having said that do prisons have the right kind of care in place for someone that old. He will need extra medical attention and possibly nappies. There has to be some kind of harsh penalty for dangerous driving or old folk, like my Mum, will carry on "popping to the shops" thinking that they'll get away with it. I've a lot of respect for people who hang their keys up when they know they are a risk.

When justifying a trans wing a Scottish prison chap said they already have hospice wings due to the number of elderly prisoners.

Then assuming he is looked after, I think it's just.

[the_priest]

I've had conversations with people in our church about driving when diagnosed with Parkinson's, Alzheimer's etc... A few do actually give up their cars. one lady who has just turned 80 has an old Fiat, 40 years old it is, and she knows that when ULEZ hits it is a goner and she is not likely to get another car and will have to walk. She is looking for a shopping bag on wheels for her weekly shopping run or cadging a lift with friends who still drive, and that list is getting smaller.

It is a sad sentence to pass, a just one, but sad nonetheless. at least he will be warm, cared for, fed and entertained.

[Cousin Jack]

I've had conversations with people in our church about driving when diagnosed with Parkinson's, Alzheimer's etc... A few do actually give up their cars. one lady who has just turned 80 has an old Fiat, 40 years old it is, and she knows that when ULEZ hits it is a goner and she is not likely to get another car and will have to walk. She is looking for a shopping bag on wheels for her weekly shopping run or cadging a lift with friends who still drive, and that list is getting smaller.
o

I think that ^ is a truth far too often overlooked by our metropolitan governing elite. Public transport does not exist fir large swathes of the countryside, and modern electric cars are a pipedream. It is drive an old banger or walk. Uber does not exist, and if it did it would be too expensive.

[Horse]

It is drive an old banger or walk. Uber does not exist, and if it did it would be too expensive.

Staying with rellies last summer, in Cornwall. Rural, but not remote, about a mile from a popular coast town.

Planning a pub meal, I said we'd get a taxi back. They laughed.

[DefTrap]

Staying with rellies last summer, in Cornwall. Rural, but not remote, about a mile from a popular coast town.

Planning a pub meal, I said we'd get a taxi back. They laughed.

Similar here in deepest Fronce, it's not even that remote really, but a mile is a fecking long way if you're not up to it or the roads are dangerous. Spark up the Uber app and there's nothing, literally nothing. Buses to town are ok but god save us all from public transport unless you literally have all the time in the world.

The only saving grace is that, if you choose fairly wisely, a lot of villages are fairly well serviced - minimart, bank, PO, tabac. boulangerie, boucherie, restaurant(s), docs, dentist.

[Mussels]

It's like that in Surrey as well, after a client visit I offered my London base colleague a lift to the station and he said no thanks, he'd get an uber. Ten minutes later after he'd tried his taxi apps he accepted the offer.

[Cousin Jack]

The only saving grace is that, if you choose fairly wisely, a lot of villages are fairly well serviced - minimart, bank, PO, tabac. boulangerie, boucherie, restaurant(s), docs, dentist.

Here most towns will not have half of those. Banks? Here these are old historic building now repurposed for something else. Post offices are usually hidden in the back corner of something else. Tobacconist? I can honestly say I have not seen an old-style tobacconists for about 25 years. Butchers and bakers survive, just!

[Noggin]

I've had conversations with people in our church about driving when diagnosed with Parkinson's, Alzheimer's etc... A few do actually give up their cars. one lady who has just turned 80 has an old Fiat, 40 years old it is, and she knows that when ULEZ hits it is a goner and she is not likely to get another car and will have to walk. She is looking for a shopping bag on wheels for her weekly shopping run or cadging a lift with friends who still drive, and that list is getting smaller.

It is a sad sentence to pass, a just one, but sad nonetheless. at least he will be warm, cared for, fed and entertained.

Not a 100% solution, but I was given something like this -



I've only used it once TBF, but it is a bloody good idea. Sadly mine is very plain, but if I couldn't drive/borrow a car, then it's flipping great for a bus trip to the valley to get shopping. When I first got home in July I did use it for the first shop as my arm wasn't strong enough to carry a shopping bag, but I could fit most of what I wanted in the trolley thing and with the weird wheels, it was quite easy to get up the stairs

Not ideal but it helps

Staying with rellies last summer, in Cornwall. Rural, but not remote, about a mile from a popular coast town.

Planning a pub meal, I said we'd get a taxi back. They laughed.

Similar here in deepest Fronce, it's not even that remote really, but a mile is a fecking long way if you're not up to it or the roads are dangerous. Spark up the Uber app and there's nothing, literally nothing. Buses to town are ok but god save us all from public transport unless you literally have all the time in the world.

The only saving grace is that, if you choose fairly wisely, a lot of villages are fairly well serviced - minimart, bank, PO, tabac. boulangerie, boucherie, restaurant(s), docs, dentist.

I work for a taxi company and I still laugh when people suggest a late night taxi if they've not pre booked!!! Especially on a friday (usually the last night out before going home)!! LOL