S Plates for senior drivers

[Bushbasher Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Bushbasher]

National Road Safety Council proposes "S" Plates to be displayed by those elderly drivers.

I always thought the bowling hat on the rear parcel shelf or the Volvo badge was a dead giveaway!

I think they are proposing a starting point of 85 years or those persons taking medication more than 5 times a week. There is already a compulsory age test requirement in WA once to get into the twilight years. My dad stopped driving when he was about 75 when he had a bingle with a freight train. Dad made a simple mistake of stopping on the wrong side of the boom gates. He was on medication that affected his judgement and now knows he shouldn't have been driving. Now he leaves the driving to mum - but he still tells her how to do it from the front passenger seat!

Actually I can't even begin to think about not be able to drive anymore. At 51, I reckon I'm a better driver than when I was in my early twenties. I developed good crash technique following several big prangs and now I have great skills in avoiding idiots and other hazards.

[Davros Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Davros]

Re: S Plates for senior drivers

I developed good crash technique following several big prangs

Does that mean that I am not a very good driver because I haven't had any prangs in more than thirty years driving?

[Corigator Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Corigator]

Re: S Plates for senior drivers

...or those persons taking medication more than 5 times a week.

What's with that. I've been on Cholesterol medication since I was 44. I can't see the relevance unless they are talking about some specific medication.

[Taz n Col Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Taz n Col]

Re: S Plates for senior drivers

...or those persons taking medication more than 5 times a week.

What's with that. I've been on Cholesterol medication since I was 44. I can't see the relevance unless they are talking about some specific medication.

I would assume that it would only be certain medications, or even just to monitor the condition that the person is taking medicines for as they may pose a driving hazard (ie; heart condition, epilepsy, blood clots...) The whole medicine thing is a bit iffy to me as there are so many over the counter ones that cause drowsiness and that would not be monitored. I can tell you now there are a lot of people that do not take heed to the warnings on boxes and still drive while taking them too!
As for the age thing, "S" plates is not going to do anything! They are already tested every year after a certain age (is it 70 or 80??) and if they are not capable drivers then their licence is taken. I think that is enough! My Pop is 86 and still driving, took his test last year and passed with no problem but he knows his limits and will not drive if he does not feel confident to do so (long drives at night especially) because he has the sense and experience to know the difference. I am more worried about a lot of the younger ones, and they do wear plates to let us know. It still does nothing to stop a lot of them driving like tools!

Oh and Bushbasher, the crochet eagles blanket over the back seat is another give away :wink:

[Bushbasher Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Bushbasher]

Re: S Plates for senior drivers

I developed good crash technique following several big prangs

Does that mean that I am not a very good driver because I haven't had any prangs in more than thirty years driving?

I've driven speedway a little in my youth and you have to get used to the big bumps and roll-overs. I also had some good hits from a semi trailer and another small truck, not to forget the 2 t-bones from idiots failing to stop at red lights and a ramming session with 2 stolen Porches. I was also in a Celica that jack knifed after losing the tailshaft at speed on the Gold Coast Highway and rolled about 8 times before coming to rest inside a big billboard advertising a car-wrecker in Broadbeach. I've been smashed over the edge of Cunningham's Gap - 30m in fact - and crawled away from that with sore ribs and a totalled Cortina. Truckie didn't bother to stop either. So, yes, I think a bit of crash experience has helped me survive some good prangs.

And how many people have driven off oblivious to their actions after causing other motorists to crash, only to claim "I have never had a crash". If you've never had a crash then you are very lucky in this day and age of drug affected drivers (methamphetamine and cannabis found in the blood of more deceased motorists than alcohol). WA has over 50,000 unlicenced/suspended drivers out there just waiting to crash into you or someone you know. They don't care about road rules or other road users.

Oh, and another giveaway to aged drivers - they are the ones doing 65kph on the 100kph freeway!

[xlr8_87 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close xlr8_87]

Re: S Plates for senior drivers

As far as I'm aware in Vic there is no requirement to resit your tests when you get to a certain age. Could be wrong though.
In reality though what are the s plates going to achieve? Won't make them drive better, just might make people focus on the s plater as opposed to the idiot on your right about to merge into you.

[MDS69 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close MDS69]

Re: S Plates for senior drivers

I think S plates for Seniors are a great idea (based on a certain criteria). Most level headed people would show a bit more tolerance if they saw a S plate, well I would, as I do when I see an L plater. With L platers they are not very confident so I give them a little more room than I would normally.

[nickchap Member Find all posts View Profile Close nickchap]

Re: S Plates for senior drivers

Is the S for senior or senile because I know a few people ( including myself sometimes :roll: ) that are the latter :lol:

Nick

[tyloma Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close tyloma]

Re: S Plates for senior drivers

I learnt from my motorcycling days to assume ALL other drivers are STUPID/SENILE/SIGHT-IMPAIRED/SLOW-REACTING/SUPERIORITY-COMPLEXED etc., etc!

So, I practice my own version of UNIVERSAL PRECAUTIONS! :roll:

[Taz n Col Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Taz n Col]

Re: S Plates for senior drivers

I think S plates for Seniors are a great idea (based on a certain criteria). Most level headed people would show a bit more tolerance if they saw a S plate, well I would, as I do when I see an L plater. With L platers they are not very confident so I give them a little more room than I would normally.

Unfortunately it seems most people are not level headed! I am the same as you and give an L plater more room and a bit of patience but I see so often people doing the exact opposite and tailgating and generally being inconsiderate to them. I think it would be the same for an S plater

[DAdeGroot Member Find all posts View Profile Close DAdeGroot]

Re: S Plates for senior drivers

I am in no way close to old enough to qualify for an S plate, but I don't agree with the concept.

I heard an interview with the woman who proposed it (as a discussion topic, rather than a serious proposal), and her idea was that people would look out and be more considerate to S platers.

However, we all know the world doesn't work that way. I for one wouldn't want the stigma of being branded an S plate driver when I get to that age. I believe the current requirements in Qld are that seniors above a certain age have to submit to eye tests regularly (yearly?) to retain their license, but that's the only restriction.

By far the more dangerous drivers are those on P plates (or just off them) - young early 20 somethings who think they're indestructible.