Video Library

Welcome to our online video library
The three main video sections in this resource only allow us to use short extracts of the interviews and discussions we completed. But you may well be interested in seeing full-length versions of these recordings – in which case, they’re all right here and available for you to view. Simply click on the one that interests you and it will play automatically.

Take the GEM Driver assessment:
Bob Smalley, from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, explains the benefits of getting your driving assessed in an informal and friendly atmosphere. He takes a journey with Val Singleton and talks her through some possible areas for safety improvements:

Find out more and download an application form


Advice for families and friends, with Sgt Rob Heard
Crash risk has been shown to increase after the age of 75. But what are the common mistakes we should be looking out for? More to the point, what should we do if we recognise risky driving habits in a relative or friend? Sgt Rob Heard of Hampshire Police has some good ideas:

Choosing your next car, with David Motton
It’s important to make sure the car you drive is right for your needs. Your priorities might once have been luxury and performance, but perhaps the time has come to put these in second place to factors such as functionality and convenience. We find out more from David Motton, road test editor from GEM’s membership magazine, Good Motoring:

A doctor advises, with Dr Amanda Kilsby
What are some of the things that happen to us as we grow older? How do our bodies and minds change? Dr Amanda Kilsby, a specialist registrar in geriatric medicine, has some advice on what signs to look out for, and some tips on how to stay as healthy as possible for as long as possible:

An optometrist advises, with Professor Steve Taylor
It’s entirely normal that eyesight declines with age, so regular eye tests are important, not only for highlighting obvious problems, but also for allowing early detection of certain conditions that may not demonstrate symptoms in the early stages. Optometrist Professor Steve Taylor explains:

A psychologist advises, with Professor Andrew Parkes
Safety is, of course, our priority on road journeys. We want you to be safe… and others who share the same road space to be safe as well. Professor Andrew Parkes, a principal researcher at TRL, examines the some of the driving behaviour issues that can go with ageing.

That difficult conversation

Confronting the issue of when to give up driving is never easy, and for some people – used to a lifetime of independence and mobility – it may come as a huge blow. But safety requires that you’re firm if you need to be. Hurting someone’s feelings for a little while has to be a better option than standing by while they get on the road and cause a crash in which they end up killing themselves or someone else.

We have been fortunate to have the chance to drop in on three essentially private conversations, in which senior drivers consider their own specific issues with a loved one.

 

Roger Crisp and his mother, Muriel
Roger Crisp realised that he, his brother and sisters would have to talk to their mother about her driving, partly because of the onset of dementia and partly because of a stroke she had suffered. It was a big step for Mrs Crisp as she had always driven as part of her work and she was a qualified Advanced Driver. Now, a year and a half after dealing with the dangers, Roger and Muriel reflect on the difficulties posed by the conversation they had.
Jane Drake and her mother, Sylvia Wilton
Age affects us all differently. Living in a country village these days is nearly impossible without a car. But 92-year-old Sylvia Wilton still manages, and this helps her daughter Jane, who was forced to give up driving when she developed Multiple Sclerosis 10 years ago. The two discuss how long they can realistically expect Sylvia to stay behind the wheel, and what they will need to do when she can no longer drive.
David Periam and his father, Bill
At 83, Bill Periam is still driving – and enthusiastic about it, too. But his health in recent years has begun to decline, meaning his driving has been restricted. Bill, by his very nature not one of the world’s most careful drivers, is clearly keen to stay mobile for as long as possible. David, on the other hand, has some fundamental concerns about the wisdom of Bill’s determination.

Don’t ignore the warning signs, don’t be too proud
89-year-old retired GP Turner Waddell refused to stop driving, in spite of failing an eyesight test. One day, in March 2011, he was driving his Volvo to attend a concert. He managed to turn the wrong way down a dual carriageway, where he hit 28-year-old Neil Colquhoun. Neil’s car caught fire and rescuers were unable to free him from the wreck. He died at the scene. Neil’s mother, Pat, describes what happened on that evening.

We encourage anyone unwilling to confront changes in their driving – or any family member prepared to turn a blind eye to the risks posed by a loved one – to watch this video, to reflect on the pointless waste of a young person’s life and the agony endured by his family and friends.