@very-rustysaid I believe one knows when they are not able to drive anymore, just common sense going too slow can cause accidents. This is when family or friends should step in if they feel someone is a danger on the road. Of course having said that, not much one can do if they have a heart attack while driving.
Regardless of age when we go out driving, we don't know for sure that nothing will happen, that possibility always exists.
-VR
In the UK we have to apply for a new driving licence at 70 then every 3 years after that. We have to sign a declaration that we have no problems with the following -
dementia
insulin-treated diabetes
Parkinson's disease
epilepsy
any chronic neurological condition (such as multiple sclerosis)
any condition that affects both eyes, or total loss of sight in one eye.
@very-rustysaid Perhaps not everyone has the difficulties you do growing old. Of course the hearing, vision and reflexes are not what they once were. There are aids people get to compensate for those things, like hearing and seeing, reflexes you compensate by your speed. I have NOT heard of very many 80 year old's and up getting stopped for speeding. 🙂 or reckless driving!
-VR
What happens to a lot of older drivers is they travel less and not as often. That happened when I retired from work then when lockdown happened I was only allowed to drive to the supermarket to buy food. It resulted in a temporary loss in confidence but I know that my reflexes aren’t as sharp as they were when I worked.
Driving too slow can also cause accidents and cause other drivers to become frustrated as is not being as well genned up on the highway code.
@rajk999said It is but there are some serious drawbacks [healthwise] being on a small island as health care is limited. There very little variety in the seasons as the temp is blazing hot and humid all year. Vacations require flying. In your case youall can get in your car and drive across Europe. I wish I could do that. All I can do here is relax on the beach anytime I want with a cooler of beers.
Must confess I only just realised where your island is. My sister worked on a Caribbean cruise ship many years ago. She had a fabulous time.
@great-big-steessaid “Old age”. Exactly how old is old age? Is it a mindset or or an actual number?🤔
I suppose I was thinking of an age when someone has retired and one’s siblings and contemporaries are starting to ‘disappear’? When life gets quieter with fewer social contacts.
@rajk999said I read that as well and although it is natural to gravitate to people with similar mindsets that is really not good for brain activity. Certainly chatting on a forum like this is a help. I am fortunate in that regard as I own a restaurant and bar down here in the islands and I meet and chat with dozens of people every month from all over Europe and North America. They say playing a musical instrument, or learning a foreign language, are also good for the brain.
@rajk999said Well that is the right attitude to handle the senior years. Some brain activity is also critical to ward off dementia, Parkinson's and other brain disorders. There is new research suggesting that the brain does not need to deteriorate with age like the body does. Its interesting.
I read that having social contact with at least 5 different people each week during old age is important for brain stimulation to protect against dementia. I’m not sure whether a discussion on an internet forum counts as being as helpful as a regular chat with a local shop keeper mind?
@suziannesaid I can go along with this. Lung cancer used to be the number one killer and I believe that it IS a function of government to protect us from ourselves. As always, you can choose to opt out, but that's on you.
My dad died of lung cancer way before his time.
That’s a good point. I smoked from 14 for 7 years in spite of the law saying I shouldn’t. I was never questioned about it by anyone but at least there was a deterrent which stopped the rest of the girls in my class getting hooked on it. I’d go without my school lunch to buy cigarettes, making it twice as unhealthy.
Fortunately my sons aren’t smokers. I’d have hated to have seen them start and if they were young now I’d certainly back this bill,
@rajk999said Sounds like you should be happy about some more government control over peoples diets. Eg had the govt passed legislation 30 years ago to control smoking and consumption of sugars and carbs, heavily processed meats, you might have benefitted.
I’m lucky in that I’ve always enjoyed some sort of sports activity like horse riding, running, cycling, squash, badminton, and swimming. I now walk my dog miles each week, garden and do resistance training at home. I’m of the view that you use it or lose it and it has also kept my weight and blood pressure low.
@torunnsaid Too much sweets isn't good either, too much of anything in fact isn't good but cigarettes being so addictive and harmful are difficult to compare with other things.
I’m at the stage of trying to giving up anything that harms my health for the sake of preserving physical health as best I can into old age. I wish I’d started sooner but I didn’t imagine ever getting old when I was young. That came when I got to 50 and started seeing the health problems my older sisters were dealing with.
@torunnsaid I agree there - I think we all owe it to our children to avoid the destructive habit of smoking. It does great harm.
I agree with that and it also results in a great cost to our national health service but what would young people be banned from doing next? Perhaps a ban on buying sweets?
children blewo 15? In germayn it is illegal to buy smokes below 16.
In fact yes I think governament has an obligation to shield children and teens from developping harmful ways.
That law already exists here. This new law will make it illegal for any child born after 2009 to EVER buy or smoke cigarettes ….. for the rest of their lives.
19 Apr '24 14:55
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