When should you stop driving




At some point in our lives we will have to decide that we are not able to drive any longer. This will hopefully be at a ripe old age and before our deteriorating faculties make us a danger to ourselves or others on the road. This condition is obviously something we all have to look out for but there may be other issues besides age that may affect our ability to drive safely, need our consideration.

How old is too old?

This of course will depend on the individual concerned. Many older drivers continue to drive perfectly safely well into their seventies and beyond. In the UK, after the age of 70, a driver is required to renew their driving licence every 3 years. They must be able to fulfil the DVLA's eyesight test and also to notify them of any medical problems that may affect their driving ability.

The main issue is that when it comes to identifying the potential health problems that may affect our driving as we get older. Issues like visual perception, hearing or cognitive impairment will often take time manifest themselves, and so it may down to other younger members of the family or friends to look out for problems and suggest that seeking medical advice might be advisable before continuing driving.

Driving during pregnancy

There is no particular reason why a healthy pregnant woman should not continue to drive throughout her pregnancy.

In the later stages of pregnancy it may become uncomfortable to sit behind the steering wheel of a car or wear a seat belt and so it may be preferable to avoid driving at this time.

Driving when on medications

If you are prescribed any medication by a medical practitioner they should advise you at the time whether it is likely to affect your ability to drive. Some medications can make you feel drowsy and this can clearly be dangerous if you are in control of any type of vehicle.

This may mean that you will have to use public transport or get lifts from friends or colleagues for a while which may of course be inconvenient, but it is really not worth the risk of a road accident. Speak to your GP if you (or others) notice any effects on your driving ability whilst on any medication.

Always take care when buying 'self prescribed' over the counter medicines too. Your pharmacist should be able to advise you to some extent, but as with all medicines they can sometimes affect different people in different ways and so it may be necessary to try a different product if something affects you adversely. If you have any queries your GP should be able to advise you which product may be more suitable for you.


Medical conditions and Illnesses

Certain medical conditions can affect your ability to drive safely. For example diabetes can cause dizziness if the persons blood sugar level drops suddenly. Even a severe bout of flu can affect your ability to concentrate and make quick decisions.

With any medical condition it is always wise to consult your GP regarding your particular situation and they should be able to advise you as to whether it is safe for you to continue driving. It may just be the case that you have to stop driving while you are being treated, and you can return to driving once the condition is gone.

If you have sustained an injury in a car accident that was not your fault, we may be able to help you injury compensation.

Please give us a call on 02392 484 244 , and one of our experienced claims advisors will be happy to assist you.



No need to claim on your insurance

Anyone who has been involved in a road accident has the right to choose who repairs their vehicle. If you were responsible for the accident you were involved in, the company that insures your vehicle would normally deal with your accident claim.

However if you were not at-fault for the accident, you can choose to either claim on your own insurance policy or make a claim independently of your insurer. To find out more call 02392 484 244 and we will be happy to help.

We and our partners help thousands of people make independent accident claims. Our service enables motorists to get the help and assistance they need to resolve their accident related issues, with the costs being recovered directly from the at-fault driver on your behalf.

No excess to pay

Unfortunately even if an accident was not your fault, your insurer will almost certainly require you to pay your excess before any repair is started on your car.

This money should of course be recovered by an insurer at a later date, but with our service - you do not have to pay it at all.

By using our independent claims service, you are not making a claim on your insurance policy and so you will have no excess to pay.

Receive a comparable replacement hire vehicle

Not all insurance policies will include a replacement hire-car for you to use if yours is damaged and unroadworthy. In fact it is typically an 'optional extra' on your policy.

Other policies may offer a 'courtesy car' but this is often just a 'basic' saloon or hatchback which may not be suitable for your needs.

Car Call and its partners will provide a comparable replacement vehicle as part of our service. This means we will endeavour to supply a hire-vehicle that similar to your own in terms of its type, make and engine size.

So whether you drive a small hatchback or a prestige sports car, we will look to provide a similar hire-vehicle that suits your needs.

Manufacturer approved vehicle repairs

If you have been involved in a car accident, the last thing you want to have to worry about is the quality of the repairs to your car. We have a UK wide network of partner approved Accident Repair Centres available to all of our customers.

Many of our accident repair centres are have manufacturer approvals for specific brands, so if you require a manufacturer approved repair centre, simply tell your personal claim handler and they will ensure your vehicle goes to an approved repairer.

Want you vehicle repaired by a specific garage? No problem, we can alternatively use a repairer that you specify.

Legal Assistance

Our partner solicitors provide legal assistance as part of our service. They specialise in motor claims related issues, so you can be assured of the best possible advice and assistance.

They issues they can assist you with include:

  • Recovery of the cost of the replacement hire-vehicle
  • Recovery of the cost of uplifting your damaged vehicle
  • Recovery of all repair costs
  • Recovery of the cost of damaged of personal items
  • Seeking financial compensation for an injury