Age of public transport drivers

[Old Cruser]

The driver of the bus which crashed in Coventry was 77 years.

The last i heard was that the reason for this accident was still unknown.

However is too old for any one to be driving buses, trains, aircraft or even taxis which carry passengers from the public

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-34446013

[Fly]

It's a dificult question to answer OC. I know quite capable 80 year old drivers, yet some shocking 50-60 year old ones.

OT: Taking a break between and during trips is always good though for any driver.

[Scimitar]

Thats shocking - look how he's slumped! Probably had to count his fingers afterwards to make sure he had not eaten them too.

[handy]

the father in law was still driving buses up to last year he is 81 now and that was in London he gave it up because his eye sight was failing .

[Fly]

I wondered if he'd got his marmalade sandwiches in his little case Scimitar 

[Scimitar]

You'd be surprised at the stuff I have to carry in that bag - Latest memo's from management. Emergency tickets (Ticket machine fails to work). Camera (to take photo if you have an accident). Spit kit (If someone spits at you so you can gather their DNA).Latest timetable book. My cash tray, phone, bottle of water,winter gloves, hat, spare ticket machine rolls, sunglasses, paper roll to clean mirrors! Then when you are going back to depot with a cash tray full of coins it can weigh very heavy!

[Old Cruser]

You'd be surprised at the stuff I have to carry in that bag - Latest memo's from management. Emergency tickets (Ticket machine fails to work). Camera (to take photo if you have an accident). Spit kit (If someone spits at you so you can gather their DNA).Latest timetable book. My cash tray, phone, bottle of water,winter gloves, hat, spare ticket machine rolls, sunglasses, paper roll to clean mirrors! Then when you are going back to depot with a cash tray full of coins it can weigh very heavy!

There's me thinking it was just your flask and sarnies Scimitar!!!

My question was is 77 too old to drive Joe public around.
Does the thinking slow down for emergency stops, eye sight not good even with glasses etc etc
Or can many carry on with the work of transporting the public.

Have you any drivers in their 70's scimitar?

[Scimitar]

Yes we do & they are governed by strict Medical tests every year at that age. As for me (over 50) its every 5 yrs.
TBH the over 70's at our place just do college runs - morning & evening only. In other words not a full 8 or 9 hour shift like I do daily - 7th October and I've already clocked up 610 miles driving (one day off in that as well)!

[who can tell]

Yes we do & they are governed by strict Medical tests every year at that age. As for me (over 50) its every 5 yrs.
TBH the over 70's at our place just do college runs - morning & evening only. In other words not a full 8 or 9 hour shift like I do daily - 7th October and I've already clocked up 610 miles driving (one day off in that as well)!

That's odd I know of two drivers clearly over retirement  still driveing on two main routes.  It's time people retired when they should instead of thinking of me me.

[Scimitar]

That's odd I know of two drivers clearly over retirement  still driveing on two main routes.  It's time people retired when they should instead of thinking of me me.

Stagecoach or otherwise?

[who can tell]

Stagecoach or otherwise?

You should know that answer since you work for them. And in mean time we have OAPs driving around who can't even see the car in front . only the week saw a old las reverseing out of her drive straight onto the lawn across the road funny yes but not so if a child had been stood their.

[Old Cruser]

You should know that answer since you work for them. And in mean time we have OAPs driving around who can't even see the car in front .

Ahh but do they just 'look' older than their age WCT?

 only the week saw a old las reverseing out of her drive straight onto the lawn across the road funny yes but not so if a[/b] child had been stood their.

What - in a bus?

[Scimitar]

You should know that answer since you work for them. And in mean time we have OAPs driving around who can't even see the car in front . only the week saw a old las reverseing out of her drive straight onto the lawn across the road funny yes but not so if a child had been stood their.

Car drivers are not regulated like bus drivers. Bus drivers from 65 have to have a medical yearly to satisfy DVLA. Car drivers only stop when they literally can't do it anymore.
As for  "knowing the answer because I work for them" - then they are clearly fit to drive; they wouldn't be there otherwise!

[Old Cruser]

How do the checks work scimitar, are GP's consulted via a meds form.
Only asking as I think it was maybe a lorry driver who with held medical conditions from employer?

[Scimitar]

We (Stagecoach & I presume others) are referred to an independant doctor for a health check which covers blood pressure, eyesight, diabetes and so on. If you fail any of these you cannot drive until the problem is under control.