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MarkyMarkD

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MarkyMarkD

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Thanks to all forum members who posted to a thread regarding my motorbike accident last May (18.5 months ago now). Sorry it has taken me so long to return and acknowledge you, but the time has not been easy. :(

To fill in information, to the extent that I can do so, I was knocked off my motorbike en route to work in Chatham, Kent, mid-May 2012, by a car driven by an 89-year-old who exited a minor road (with give way sign!) coming onto a major road in our village where I was travelling at around 40mph (the speed limit).

Obviously he didn't notice me coming towards him, despite the motorbike headlight being on as it is always, and my wearing a yellow reflective jacket. I was dragged along the road, off my bike, and ended up lying on the road unconscious.

An ambulance was called by other motorists, and the ambulanceman took care of me for about an hour, during which he called an air ambulance helicopter. The helicopter then flew me (still unconscious) to a London hospital, where they started to work on me.

I recovered consciousness after around a week or so (I can't personally remember any of this though), and eventually I was sufficiently recovered to be relocated to more local hospital in Medway, Kent, where I stayed for around 3 months. After that, I was moved to a recovery unit in Sevenoaks, (also Kent, but 30 miles from our house) where I remained until December when I was sufficiently recovered to travel home where I have stayed since.

I can't work (haven't done for 18 months and unlikely to return ever), can't drive (but might get a Motability car some time), can't walk without company (wife or carer). Ongoing life is a struggle, but my family (near and far) have been a great source of support on which I depend.
 
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Crossover

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Heya...nice to see you are back here again...the news about your accident came as a huge shock as I only met you weeks before it happened

Glad to hear your recovery is going in the right direction :)
 

yorkie

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Glad to see you posting again, Mark. Many of those who met you (either at the fares workshop or the Highlands trip - which must have been a matter of days or week before the incident) have been asking me how you've been, and we were shocked when we heard the news.

I have also had the misfortune of a car pulling out of a minor road while on a (pedal) bike, but I was incredibly lucky that both of us realised, slammed on the brakes, and the collision was at a very low speed. On another occasion I witnessed a driver who was also about 89 almost crash into me, I followed him and he drove erratically and crash into numerous cars until eventually his car became incapacitated. So what you describe is one of my biggest fears. I cannot imagine what you have had to go through.

We totally appreciate that you needed to take your time, but I am glad to see you're back, you are welcome here any time!
 

ATW Alex 101

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Nice to see you posting again Mark mate. I was shocked to learn of the accident when Yorkie posted the original thread last year. I am glad to see you back and glad to see you on your road to recovery. :smile:
 

LowLevel

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Sorry to hear you've come to such grievous harm through another persons incompetence. I hope that your condition improves somewhat and you can get your life back to somewhere approaching on track.
 

maniacmartin

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It does raise some questions about whether there should be some sort of refresher tests for drivers. At the moment, once you've passed your test, you're pretty much good for life, despite the fact that in old age your senses aren't as sharp as they once were.
 
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WillPS

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Mark! Great to hear from you. I was really worried hearing the news but it's great that you're back home and on RailUK! So sorry to hear about the state you've been left in. The value of life is the main thing; I'm so happy for your family that you have that.

Will x
 

bb21

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It does raise some questions about whether there should be some sort of refresher tests for drivers. At the moment, once you've passed your test, you're pretty much good for life, despite the fact that in old age your senses aren't as sharp as they once were.

If what my instructor told me were true, most people would fail their test 5 years after passing it.

Welcome back, Mark.
 

MarkyMarkD

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It does raise some questions about whether there should be some sort of refresher tests for drivers. At the moment, once you've passed your test, you're pretty much good for life, despite the fact that in old age your senses aren't as sharp as they once were.
You are certainly correct that many drivers lose their ability - or at least, it diminishes over time. I think a refresher test at (say) the ages of 50 and 70 would not be unreasonable - and maybe every 5 years from 70 onwards.
 

maniacmartin

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It wouldn't be accepted politically though. Whatever party implemented it would be accused of stranding pensioners in their rural homes, unable to get to the shops.
 

IanD

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Good to have you back Mark. I trust you've caught up with the developments with your favourite Route TILBY EXCL FERRY ticket!
 
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If what my instructor told me were true, most people would fail their test 5 years after passing it.

Welcome back, Mark.

I think I'd fail my test if I had to take it again and I've only had my license two years! So many bad habits creep into your driving basically through laziness..

Welcome back Mark.
 
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ainsworth74

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If the driving test is anything like when I took it then I wouldn't worry too much about failing it after you've been driving for a while! Personally speaking I drove better on my first test, which I failed, than on my third when I passed!

So I suspect it owuld be perfectly possible for someone to fail a driving test even though they're actually a perfectly safe driver.

Glad to have you back on the forum Mark and I hope you continue to get better :)
 

anthony263

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Good to see you are recovering and great to have you back on this forum.

As for the suggestion about refresher courses for older drivers it is something I agree with. This is not to say that there are a good number of oap's who do drive safely however there are a few who are dangerous such as those who insist on only doing 30mph when the road is signed for 40mph or more. The amount of times I have been doing 40 and come round a corner only to end up putting on the brakes because of a car doing only 30.
 

RJ

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Hi Mark, it's good to see you posting again. I'd certainly agree with the notion of periodic refresher testing, if only to prevent further incidents of the kind you were unfortunate enough to be involved in.

I wish you all the best with your recovery.
 
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