A woman hid her father’s car keys after the elderly driver – who was diagnosed with severe to moderate Alzheimer’s – was surprisingly given the green light by authorities to continue driving.
The concerned daughter took to Reddit this week to describe her heartbreaking situation: She explains that her father has been in denial since he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in July and insists he is still physically fit and independent.
He then received a letter from Transport for NSW demanding he take a mandatory driving test.
His driver’s license was suspended after he failed to take the test on time.
He then booked a driving test for October 18, despite his family telling him he could not drive.
‘Every time he drives he gets bingles and scrapes, parks on the footpath etc. But he is passionate about cars, especially his own, and doesn’t believe the bingles were his fault – there is no responsibility whatsoever’ , says the woman. Reddit post read.
Her father missed the appointment but has since received a letter from the license review unit, dated the day he was due to take the test.
An Australian woman went online looking for advice on what to do about her elderly father, who insists he is fit to drive despite being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s (stock image)
“Transport for NSW is pleased to inform you that you can continue to drive with your current license as long as it has not recently expired,” the licensure confirmation letter reads.
He was also thanked for ‘complying with the requested assessments’.
However, his shocked daughter claimed he had not been given the necessary documents, including letters from his GP, optometrist and geriatrician, confirming he was fit to drive.
Her father has now had another key made and is on the road again. leaving his daughter at her wits’ end.
“He is currently driving somewhere and it is LEGAL for him to do so. It’s insane.
“I can’t believe how reckless and dangerous this situation is and my brother and I may have to use our power of attorney to make him stop,” she wrote.
She slammed the department for the letter that “completely confirmed” her father’s “dangerous” attitude.
“Not only is he a bit bad at driving, he’s also dangerous,” she added.
“I love him so much and I absolutely hate this.
‘What bothers me is that we have been slowly working on revoking his driver’s license and gently getting him used to the idea of using buses and selling the car.
“It took so much energy and time to convince him to hang up his car keys.”
The octogenarian recently received this letter (pictured) from Transport for NSW, giving him permission to continue driving
She is now demanding answers about the colossal mistake.
‘How can such a letter happen? Who processed and signed this letter when Dad failed to meet any requirements or even take the aged care driving test?” she said.
“He didn’t even show up for the appointment, yet this letter was written, signed and sent on the day of his test.
‘I am baffled as to how the RMS can be so irresponsible with this. I called the local police and his GP is writing an urgent letter to say he is not fit to drive.’
The women were inundated with sympathetic advice and messages of support.
Many assured that she had done the right thing by taking his keys.
“It’s always tragic to have to do something like this with someone you love, knowing you’re limiting their independence, but it’s the right thing to do. He is not only endangering himself, but others as well,” one person wrote.
Another added: ‘Perfect example of why practical testing should be mandatory every five years when you turn 65, and then every year after you turn 80. However, that does not make any money for the government.’
But others urged her to handle the difficult situation with caution.
‘I work in elderly care. “I have seen relatives in NSW charged with taking a conveyance without the owner’s consent, which carries a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment,” one person warned.
“If you’re going to take the ‘Take his car route,’ be very careful.”
The man’s concerned daughter claims he cannot drive and has recently caused chaos on the roads (stock image of Sydney traffic)
The woman later thanked everyone for their advice.
“I’m currently on my way to being a ninja and taking out his car like some of you suggested. Wish me luck!’ she wrote.
While Transport for NSW could not comment on the specific case, a spokeswoman urged the woman to report concerns about her father to Service NSW.
“People who have genuine concerns about a person’s medical fitness or ability to safely drive a vehicle can report an unsafe driver to the nearest Service NSW centre,” a spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia.
‘If a person does not meet medical standards, or if information is received which raises serious concerns about the medical fitness or driving ability of a driving license holder, Transport has the power to revoke, suspend or vary a driving licence, or request that the driving license holder undertakes to carry out relevant tests or assessments to verify fitness to drive.’
The department also called on others to “report drivers who, in their opinion, can no longer drive safely.”
“The Service Center Manager will complete an unsafe driving reporting form and interview the informant to verify and investigate the details given to ensure the information was provided in good faith,” the spokeswoman added.
“The completed report will then be forwarded to the Transport for NSW License Review Unit with recommended actions.”
In NSW, drivers aged 75 and over are required to undergo a medical examination every two years from the age of 85 and take a driving test every two years to maintain an unrestricted driving licence.
Customers aged 85 or older can choose to take out an adapted driver’s license, which allows them to drive within their familiar environment.
The woman was urged to report concerns about her father to Service NSW