Older Drivers

[runboy]

I've had enough. I had to say something.

Two notable incidents:

Approaching traffic lights in left lane, lights on green for straight ahead and right turns. Small green Mazda 2/Hyundai Getz thingy in other lane to go straight over. We both approach the lights, he is slightly ahead of me, I'm not going to pass him on the left. Then the right turn filter goes to red. Green car slows down to nearly a stop (must have though all lights had gone to red) so I undetake him. He then speeds up, passes me on now nearly a single lane and cuts straight in front of me. Old boy driving.

Roundabout, two lanes, left lane for left and ahead, right lane for right and ahead. White Xsara indicates to go right so I go in left lane, we both enter the roundabout side by side. Xsara starts to drift over to me then sticks left indicator on and I have to brake before it swipes the front off my car. When Xsara eventually goes another way, I notice an old women, with front fogs and SIDE lights on. It was dark.

Behind a Pug 406, been driving with no indication when it stop in a side road for no apparant reason, I pull up behind it. Reverse lights come on and without looking the old woman starts to reverse towards me. I have to revers wuickly and she wips it into a parking space. No notice of me at all. Good job I wasn't a person walking behind her.

Otherwise this week I've had old people do the following:

Pull out in front of me, block my path when they can go no further, let me guess which way they are going, cause me to swerve and brake hard to avoid collisions. OK, I know 90% of my driving is in the city so I'm more likely to come across this type of driver, but it appears to be getting worse.

People live longer these days, but it doesn't mean their driving is of a better standard or they are any more mobile-for goodness sake some oldies don't have the strength or ability to turn their heads left or right.

Sorry, had to have a rant!.

Steve - 2002 1.4SE petrol, Silver, black/black interior, Then an identical replacement 2003 A2. Now a Toyota Corolla 1.6 T-Spirit

[shezlee]

I agree about the standard of driving but its not just the old folk, I was following a white van down the road when it indicated left started to turn and then stopped in the middle of the lane (the road was clear), the T**T decided he didn't want that turning. I had to brake very hard and swerve into oncomming traffic and then swerve back to avoid a car overtaking. bu**er me if the age of both were older then 25. Had to stop at nearest carpark to calmdown (and check undies). Luckly for us a Police car had pulled out behind us and saw it all and asked if we were alright.

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[runboy]

I agree that it's the standard of driving these days, not the age. Which is why it annoys me when people automatically assume it's young drivers who cause all the problems. Just look at insurance companies-many say you must be between 21 and 70 before they will cover you. Or the cheaper cover anyway-anyone can get insurance at a cost!!!.

With the extended driving tests (even just driving tests-how many old people haven't taken a test at all), theory tests, probation period for new drivers it will hopefully lead to better standards....

Give us eye tests and driving tests every few years-that would help.

Steve - 2002 1.4SE petrol, Silver, black/black interior, Then an identical replacement 2003 A2. Now a Toyota Corolla 1.6 T-Spirit

[Bigpikle]

Know what you all mean....I've driven 30-50k pa for the last 8 years or so and seen just about everything imaginable. Most recently at jct 9 on the M40/A34 a driver stopped in the middle of the 3 lane roundabout as he missed his exit, did a near 180 degree turn to get off the roundabout, then immediately stopped in the outside lane of the dual carriageway as he obviously realised he didn't want that exit after all!!! Only thing stopping him reversing back onto the roundabout were about 40 rush-hour drivers screaming to a halt all around him/her!!! I don't think you can point the finger at any group in particular but to a general lack of thought/common sense/aptitude out there. Perhaps there should be some kind of general aptitude test to find out who even has the basic skills to be allowed to learn to drive......after all they dont let us all learn to fly jets do they????? Just a rant, I know its not really practical...

[hollyrescue]

And whats all this got to do with old or older drivers? I could go on all day about 20 something women drivers, it's only Monday night and already I have been run down by 2 (separate) 20 something females,and that as a pedestrian! 3 road rage incidents last week, all 20 something women, still as a pedestrian. There is really only one really safe competent driver on the road today with 50 years experience on ALL sorts of vehicles, (warships too, does that count?)and in many countries, but not Germany. And that's me. So there. Oldies indeed, I'll whack you with my walking stick, if my glasses don't fall off first. Driving in Holland worries me, it's the rules about cyclists. Driving in the USA is OK as long as you can read English, because that's how the road signs are. I know it's bad grammar, but I'm annoyed at falling out of my bath chair in a rage.
Looking forward to a trip to the Audi factory and my first taste of driving in Germany next year.

[runboy]

hr-just as an aside-did you see 5th gear tonight-VBH had a couple of very good points in her piece on the TVR........

and as for drivers - again, women have always been perceived as careful drivers, enjoying lower insurance premiums.

Steve - 2002 1.4SE petrol, Silver, black/black interior, Then an identical replacement 2003 A2. Now a Toyota Corolla 1.6 T-Spirit

[Mal2002]

Holly - Have you noticed im not saying a word about age? lol

[2002] | 1.4 | azure blue | 2 tone leather | concert II single cd.
Member of A2OC site.
http://www.audi-a2.co.uk/uk12.htm

[hollyrescue]

Mal2002, You can be my friend!!

[Bigpikle]

Very topical article here on The Motley Fool that you may be interested in - esp Hollyrescue - that looks at insurers actual claims info.

http://www.fool.co.uk/news/comment/2003/c031028e.htm?ref=foolwatch

[hollyrescue]

Bigpikle. So now we know, or do we? When I was a keen motorcyclist, we had smilar stats, but mileage is important, I would guess that 20-30 year old women drive considerably lower mileage than similar aged men, so obviously less risk.
I don't do anywhere near the mileage I used to do, probably only 10-11000 per year spread over 2 cars. This allied to 50 years ncb must look a good risk to an insurer, and only one no blame accident on the bike. Most women around here drive 400 yards to the school and back twice a day, but the roads are empty this week 'cos it's half term. Who said the school run forms 7% of the traffic, around here it's about 60%. My Dad drove until he was 91 ( up till his death) he was a complete menace on the road, and an ex Met Police No1 driver!. He scared the living daylights out of me. I know of several of my wifes female friends who drive miles out of their way to avoid right turns.

[Bigpikle]

I'm sure you're right but it scares the hell out of me watching mums dealing with 2 or 3 kids in the back of the car while negotiating roundabouts etc. I had one such woman nearly hit the back of my car 3 times recently in a queue of traffic - it got so bad i had to hit the horn every time I slowed down and I'm sure the car in front thought i was giving him a hard time!!!
I guess the point is we balance out the risk so good drivers pay for bad drivers most of the time. I'm glad companies like Esure exist as if you can get through their criteria the premiums are hugely lower than most companies.

[Mal2002]

Cheers Holly

Question - The other night at about 9pm when it was dark, on an unlit road,I pulled out from a junction thinking it was clear, only to be beeped at from a driver in the lane id just come into, the reason I never saw him was beacuse both his headlights were not working (the rear ones were)

My question is if he had crashed into me, would I be to blame or him? would I have to prove that his headlights were not working?

I stoped him further down the raod to tell him about them not working and got a whole load of abuse for trying to help, thats gratitude for you

[2002] | 1.4 | azure blue | 2 tone leather | concert II single cd.
Member of A2OC site.
http://www.audi-a2.co.uk/uk12.htm

[runboy]

mal2002
I'm sure you would have been covered, as it looks like it was a fault rather than the twit had forgotten to put them on at all. If he had forgotten he could have just said "yeah, they were on, bloke pulled out in front of me" and you would have to rely on witnesses. However I remember wathcing a police crash investigator and he was saying about brake lights-if a car/bike hits something and the driver is braking you may find the buld filament breaks in it's molten position indicating it was on at the point of impact-maybe the same for headlights.

I flashed at someone tonight with no lights on, in the dark, and the old chap just waved back at me. Arghhhhhhhhhhhh.

Steve - 2002 1.4SE petrol, Silver, black/black interior, Then an identical replacement 2003 A2. Now a Toyota Corolla 1.6 T-Spirit

[Mal2002]

it was nice of him to wave :)

[2002] | 1.4 | azure blue | 2 tone leather | concert II single cd.
Member of A2OC site.
http://www.audi-a2.co.uk/uk12.htm

[frido]

quote:Looking forward to a trip to the Audi factory and my first taste of driving in Germany next year.

It has gotten really bad this past 2 years over here, especially with light trucks (like MB Sprinters), who drive like madmen most of the time (just last weeks one passed me on the Autobahn with about 170 kph). You really notice over here that cars are getting faster...
I look forward to the factory visit, too...

Bye, Frido

----
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[hollyrescue]

I get flashed in the Volvo 'cos the lights are always on, when I found the little screw thingy to turn them off, I seemed to have become invisible, so they are back on. Frido, to prepare for the trip I bought "German in 3 months", 3 months is up and I still can't speak German. Where have I gone wrong?

[hollyrescue]

Bigpikle, You forgot to mention that the Mums having all the problems with kiddies was probably on the mobile phone as well. Judging by the numbers doing it, it must be the law around here.

[Bigpikle]

dont get me started on mobile phones - I reckon the worst are the white van drivers who hurtle cross country mostly at speeds way in excess of the road conditions, 6 inches from boot of the car in front, chatting on the phone and just about managing the occasional glance at the road ahead......just in case they miss the next burger van!

I just hope the police start to enforce the new law from Dec 1st and see this as just as good revenue raiser as hiding cameras behind road signs!

[runboy]

bigpikle
I've seen bus drivers (with passengers on board), local council drivers (should set an example), HGV drivers. I'm sure even the odd copper now and again.

All using mobiles. How did we lead our lives 15 years ago when these plastic lifelines weren't around?

Steve - 2002 1.4SE petrol, Silver, black/black interior, Then an identical replacement 2003 A2. Now a Toyota Corolla 1.6 T-Spirit

[Bigpikle]

quote:Originally posted by runboy

How did we lead our lives 15 years ago when these plastic lifelines weren't around?

...more safely???

[Bigpikle]

Just out of interest Runboy - does your signature mean you are no longer an A2 owner? As a prospective A2 owner I just wondered what made you change, if thats the case.

[runboy]

bigpikle

That's correct, now an ex-A2 owner.

A quick history-not the full, 10 page version but long enough!. Bought an A2 from Robinsons Audi in Norwich. Very good sales service and handover. Then many problems with the A2-FM (yes FM, not AM!) reception, noisy tickover (EGRV), squeaks, rattles, car damaged whilst in 'care' of dealer, PDI not done correctly leaving the packing in the front suspension coils with virtually no suspension travel (man, that was a hard 1200 miles!). Eventually dealer agreed a swap or a complete front suspension rebuild so I took the replacement, but then the next A2 had same and more rattles, squeaks, and the front wheel bearing failed amongst other things. Add in a service department who only smiled when they passed wind, couldn't be bothered to tell me they needed to keep my car overnight and a dealer principle who's idea of compensation was to tell me I was lucky to have a replacement A2. Audi UK could only offer me a few words of "sorry, but tough" and when I told them I would never buy an Audi again and could I have some meaningful compensation, they offered me preferential treatment when I buy my next Audi. Arghhhhhhh!. This was the first time I had touched Audi, and was moving up from another VAG member (Seat) so you would have thought they would like to keep me sweet. Not a chance-just leaving me with the impression that all Audi dealers and all Audi cars are not what they advertise themselves to be.

I would have probably stuck with the A2, but the decision was taken out of my hands when my relationship failed so the car was sold and money split two-ways. I plumped for the Toyota Corolla. A little bit of out of the frying pan and into the fire with that too, but no where near as bad as the Audi. Nest time I'm back to Seat and a dealer who bends over backwards to help their most important person-the customer.

I just keep in with the A2OC because they are a great bunch of people and helped me immensely when I was thinking of buying an A2, and the problems afterwards. Give in what you take out and all that.

Steve - 2002 1.4SE petrol, Silver, black/black interior, Then an identical replacement 2003 A2. Now a Toyota Corolla 1.6 T-Spirit

[Bigpikle]

Interesting experiences you've had. Just looking at buying an A2 so hence the question - moving down from a top of the range Accord to something cheaper to run etc etc. Had the same experiences with Audi when looking at trying to buy an A4 a while ago. Treated me like I didn't exist, presumably 'cos I looked young etc, but their mistake as i could have bought any car in the showroom! Plumped for a BMW in the end and they are pretty amazing to deal with as a customer!
Car I'm looking at is a 03 Tdi so hopefully most of the inital problems will be ironed out (although clearly not all from reading here). Just contemplating paying a chunk of cash to move from a proven quality car (27k trouble free miles and barely a squeak) to a smaller car to save money.....doh....doesn't really make sense when you write it down but I'm still tempted for some reason anyway????? Oh well, back to navel gazing and the same ol' question. Trouble is, no matter what car I drive I always spend 50% of my driving time wondering about what else I should have instead.

[runboy]

I do the same-always want to change to something else.

If Audi hadn't treated me this way, I would still love to own an A2. I kept saying this to them-look, I've moved from a bigger car to your A2 because I like the shape, style, the whole package, and the Audi brand should be good to me. Unfortunately it didn't work like this with the dealer-they just didn't care about my custom.

If I had been given a car that worked as it should do, a token of goodwill for the trouble caused, I would have been a happy and hopefully loyal Audi customer.

Don't let any of this put you off. You read ANY forum for ANY make of car and you will read of peoples tales of woe. Jags, Mercs, BMWs, Skodas, even Toyotas. Check out the dealer, buy the A2 and hopefully you will be happy.

At the moment I would love to have a newe Avensis, a new Accord, I like the look of the 2004 Mondeo, the new Golf looks good and I'm so looking forward to Seats new cars next year. Us men never settle with our cars!

Steve - 2002 1.4SE petrol, Silver, black/black interior, Then an identical replacement 2003 A2. Now a Toyota Corolla 1.6 T-Spirit