Motoring Discussion > Aged drivers relinguishing licences - what next?	Miscellaneous
Thread Author: FotheringtonTomas	Replies: 30

New Tue 8 Jun 10 14:49   Aged drivers relinguishing licences - what next? - FotheringtonTomas

So. An aged driver relinquishes his licence. He lives in a rural area. This loss of mobility will be rather a difficulty. What next, to get about locally? Options that come to mind are: Mobility Scooter, 4-8MPH switchable. Electric bicycle (not a very good idea IMO). Taxis (expense on a limited budget?). Go on the bus (*rural* - "but there's only one on alternate Wednesdays!"). It's about 4 miles into the nearest town. No pavements or footpaths to speak of. Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 8 Jun 10 14:57   Aged drivers relinguishing licences - what next? - Dwight Van Driver

Had this before with an aged relative who kept bumping his car, the final straw shot a red level crossing light. Persuaded him to hand in his Licence and sell the car. Worked it out with him the cost of running the car, Insurance, Excise, servicing etc against the £3 once a week taxi for his bits and pieces coupled with the planned use on buspass worked out consdierably cheaper. dvd Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 8 Jun 10 14:59   Aged drivers relinguishing licences - what next? - Stuu

Exactly why people dont give up when they should. My ex's late father used to drive for Dial-a-Ride which covered alot of villages and served this very purpose. I have a customer who does runs to the town and supermarket for old ladies in her village - they all go at same time, same day and then pay her petrol between them - cheaper than a taxi and no doubt more reliable. Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 8 Jun 10 15:01   Aged drivers relinguishing licences - what next? - Focusless

>> What next, to get about locally? Any local charities offering transport for the elderly? EDIT: as Stu says Last edited by: Focus on Tue 8 Jun 10 at 15:01 Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 8 Jun 10 15:11   Aged drivers relinguishing licences - what next? - Zero

I tried to pursuade my mother to leave the car after she wrote the old one off lithe waitrose trolley shelter in the process. The 4 grand she spent on the car, along with the 750 a year running costs would have, and would still be paying for a lot of taxi fares. Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 8 Jun 10 15:12   Aged drivers relinguishing licences - what next? - RattleandSmoke

A taxi 4 miles into town won't cost any more than the anual cost of running a car providing he dosn't need to use it too often. A lot of places do a sort of ring and ride scheme too so it may be worth speaking to the county's public transport department. I didn't think anywhere in the UK was that remote that it has two buses a month! Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 9 Jun 10 08:12   Aged drivers relinguishing licences - what next? - L'escargot

>> I didn't think anywhere in the UK was that remote that it has two buses >> a month! >> The nearest bus route to us is 2 miles away and there are only 2 buses a day to the nearest large town which is 45 miles away. Because the bus route is circuitous through a lot of villages rather than direct, a return trip would take the whole of a day. To be able to buy large or heavy items a car is absolutely essential. Last edited by: L'escargot on Wed 9 Jun 10 at 08:14 Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 8 Jun 10 15:12   Aged drivers relinguishing licences - what next? - Zero

Clearly in answer to the OP, and investigation into home delivery of esentials would be a good place to start. Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 8 Jun 10 15:39   Aged drivers relinguishing licences - what next? - Falkirk Bairn

I invested in 3 x sons - 2 live 100+mls away but one is local and hopefully will be my driver when the time comes to give up the licence. Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 8 Jun 10 15:47   Aged drivers relinguishing licences - what next? - Harleyman

>> >> Clearly in answer to the OP, and investigation into home delivery of esentials would be >> a good place to start. >> It's not just about getting stuff in though, is it? For many elderly and retired people, especially in rural areas, the weekly trip into town is also about meeting other people and socialising. Never having used home delivery for groceries, I would only guess that there is a minimum spend and the would like as not be several weeks worth of food shopping for an OAP. It also depends on them having internet access, again not always easy in the countryside. Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 8 Jun 10 15:56   Aged drivers relinguishing licences - what next? - Zero

>> It's not just about getting stuff in though, is it? No its not >> For many elderly and retired people, especially in rural areas, the weekly trip into town >> is also about meeting other people and socialising. yes thats advisable. But home delivery is a minimum requirement. Its either that or starve to death. Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 8 Jun 10 17:12   Aged drivers relinguishing licences - what next? - Dog

When we lived in Gorran Haven, South Cornwall, they had their own bus ~ www.gorranbus.freeuk.com/ It was a life-line for many folk sans car in said remote rural area. Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 9 Jun 10 08:07   Aged drivers relinguishing licences - what next? - L'escargot

>> He lives in a rural area. This loss >> of mobility will be rather a difficulty. What next, to get about locally? Options that >> come to mind are: >> >> Mobility Scooter, 4-8MPH switchable. >> Electric bicycle (not a very good idea IMO). >> Taxis (expense on a limited budget?). >> Go on the bus (*rural* - "but there's only one on alternate Wednesdays!"). >> >> It's about 4 miles into the nearest town. No pavements or footpaths to speak of. >> That's me! Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 9 Jun 10 09:09   Aged drivers relinguishing licences - what next? - Cliff Pope

Pony and trap: i151.photobucket.com/albums/s138/Cliffordpope/cart.jpg When my time comes I might well follow my grandfather's example, pictured in about 1908. Horses remember their way, unlike cars or old people Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 9 Jun 10 09:11   Aged drivers relinguishing licences - what next? - Statistical Outlier

Serious question - do you have to be sober to operate a horse, given it can presumably steer and stop of its own accord? And, as you say, find its way home. Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 9 Jun 10 09:15   Aged drivers relinguishing licences - what next? - Tooslow

Oh yes. It can also bolt of it's own accord. JH Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 9 Jun 10 12:25   Aged drivers relinguishing licences - what next? - Bazzabear

>> Pony and trap: >> >> i151.photobucket.com/albums/s138/Cliffordpope/cart.jpg >> >> When my time comes I might well follow my grandfather's example, pictured in >> about 1908. That's your grandfather? Rather an effeminate hat, isn't it? ;) Reply to this message | Report message

New Fri 11 Jun 10 12:32   Aged drivers relinguishing licences - what next? - FotheringtonTomas

Another option, maybe. I don't think that an electric bicycle would be a very good idea - a mobility scooter might be pooh-poohed at. So, what about an electric tricycle? Up to 15 MPH (mobility scooter 8MPH), reasonable range. Not quite so "disabled" for someone who does not consider himself very disabled, perhaps. Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 9 Jun 10 09:08   Aged drivers relinguishing licences - what next? - CGNorwich

The other option is of course to move, perhaps to a nearby town, where there are some shops and perhaps a cafe or pub within walking distance. Can be difficult for the elderly but it is something people should think about before it becomes too late. Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 9 Jun 10 09:23   Aged drivers relinguishing licences - what next? - jc2

Not only transport-getting work done on house can be harder if you live miles from anywhere and can no longer DIY! Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 9 Jun 10 09:44   Aged drivers relinguishing licences - what next? - Tooslow

Too true jc2. I've often wondered how I'll manage when I can't do the minor maintenance jobs around the house. Wife and I were moving railway sleepers last night. Can't see us doing that at 80. I do volunteer conservation work, I'd be happy to do volunteer old folks work, provided someone filtered out the grumpy ones (that's me out then!). Probably not allowed by elfin safety. Some old geezer would sue when something wasn't quite right :-( JH Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 9 Jun 10 10:08   Aged drivers relinguishing licences - what next? - Harleyman

>> The other option is of course to move, perhaps to a nearby town, I can't think of anything I'd like less. Towns are like in-laws; visit them only at need and never move in with them. Reply to this message | Report message       1

New Wed 9 Jun 10 10:33   Aged drivers relinguishing licences - what next? - hobby

It doesn't have to be towns.... many villages have "sheltered" accomodation these days and also have other facilities, including buses... my mum and dad sold up when I moved out and moved into a village where they rented a flat... they had several nice years until dad got ill and died, but even during that period it helped no end that they were in somewhere where they could get help quickly when needed... The problem is that many people get set in their ways and won't consider a move even though it can often be the best solution... the old days 100 years ago when the whole family lived together or very near each other have long since gone in most cases so moving may be the only practical way forward if the person wants to still get out and about and meet people... Luckily I've never got too sentimental about anywhere I've lived, regarding each move as an oportunity to get out and see new places... lucky really as I've so far lived in NW England, central Scotland and the Midlands! Last edited by: hobby on Wed 9 Jun 10 at 10:36 Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 9 Jun 10 10:44   Aged drivers relinguishing licences - what next? - -

Privatising of the bus services hasn't helped village life at all, in many cases they are only practical and affordable for the wealthy and privelidged (no doubt they'd like them to remain that way) and able bodied with their own transport, Post Officers vanished forever too. People who lived their lives in the country do not fare well when forced to live in town, my late father was never happy after retirement (though he carried on part time for many years) when he became a first time townie, fish out of water. We are all different, some of us need other people some of us are quite happy reclusive. Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 9 Jun 10 11:32   Aged drivers relinguishing licences - what next? - jc2

I'm already AGED-I do volunteer work for the Red Cross and the elderly are some of the most pleasant customers we get-it's the others demanding their RIGHTS and seeming put out when reminded that we are a charity and not part of the NHS.I use our local bus services(free travel with my card) and it is noticeable how few travellers of all ages buy a ticket.The bus companies are supposed to get this money back from the government but do they? Last edited by: jc2 on Wed 9 Jun 10 at 11:34 Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 9 Jun 10 11:56   Aged drivers relinguishing licences - what next? - Stuu

>>The bus companies are supposed to get this money back from the government but do they?<< Its all part of package deals, rough with the smooth. Of course it has to make financial sense, but there are some very clever people who work out exactly what is viable for a business. Unfortunatly, sometimes its just not viable which is why country routes disappear. My mum is involved with this side of things for a national bus co. so ill ask if you really wanna know how its all paid for. Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 9 Jun 10 12:04   Aged drivers relinguishing licences - what next? - Tooslow

I've noticed OAPs getting on a bus, some flashing a pass, others just going & sitting down. No ticket issued nor any indication of any record being made. MiL got very heated and insisted a ticket has to be issued. I can only report what I saw but it seems to me that surely some sort of record is needed in order to justify subsidy and keeping or closing a service. JH Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 9 Jun 10 12:28   Aged drivers relinguishing licences - what next? - hobby

Local Councils pay a subsidy to cover the "free" journeys as far as I'm aware... though how its measured I'm not sure. Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 9 Jun 10 16:57   Aged drivers relinguishing licences - what next? - Harleyman

>> Privatising of the bus services hasn't helped village life at all, in many cases they >> are only practical and affordable for the wealthy and privelidged (no doubt they'd like them >> to remain that way) Post Offices vanished forever >> too. >> >> People who lived their lives in the country do not fare well when forced to >> live in town Much there that I agree with GB. Regarding the buses, it depends very much on where you live; in my home village in Nottinghamshire privatisation revolutionised the bus service, to the benefit of the village. My late father lived in the village all his life; after his death the most common complaint amongst the "new" villagers" is that gardeners and handymen cost more because they have to travel. They fail to see that this is the price of living in an "exclusive" and desirable rural area where affordable housing is virtually non-existent. My move to Wales was largely due to the fact that at the time it was somewhere I could live a rural life at town-house prices; even that's difficult now. Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 9 Jun 10 17:48   Aged drivers relinguishing licences - what next? - -

Indeed HarleyM, SWMBO and i know that if we wish to go back to my childhood way of life far from the madding crowd then we shall have to invest every ha'penny we have most likely. My late father was a pro gardener and we lived in tied cottages in various parts of the country, he was out of time in so many ways not least being his undoubted skills (his gardens were often acclaimed open gardens at stately homes) would these days have given him a substantial income whereas it couldn't have been further from that in his time. Reply to this message | Report message

New Wed 9 Jun 10 12:23   Aged drivers relinguishing licences - what next? - CGNorwich

"It doesn't have to be towns.... many villages have "sheltered" accomodation these days". Yes I agree - The problem is as you say many people get set in their ways as they get older. The sad truth is that many people retire to the country, typically buying a property with a large plot of land. 15 years later they find they can no longer cope, perhaps a partner dies and they are left alone and isolated. They really need to consider the move to a smaller property near some facilities whilst they can but human nature being what it is unfortunately they don't. The countryside can seem idyllic when you are fit and have transport. Isolated and lonely it loses much of its charm Reply to this message | Report message