Some people just won't let go

[color=darkred:c2d4e1f20c][b:c2d4e1f20c]82-year-old driving menace refuses to stay off road [/b:c2d4e1f20c][/color:c2d4e1f20c]
03 May 2006
By MATTHEW TORBIT

A "stubborn and fiery" 82-year-old disqualified driver has begun a cat-and-mouse game with police after refusing to surrender his car keys. The Kapiti Coast man ? who police say is a menace and a danger to himself and others ? continues to drive despite failing a medical test in 2004. He has already had two cars impounded. It is understood his daughter is supporting police efforts to get him off the roads for good.

Senior Constable Mike Tahere said efforts to persuade him to quit driving had so far fallen on deaf ears. Police now had no other option but to wait to catch him behind the wheel and arrest him. Police had visited the "fiery" man at his retirement home this week ? but received a less than cordial welcome.

"He told us to eff off. He's a very stubborn old man," Mr Tahere said. "It's not a case of picking on this chap because he's old. It's because if he doesn't stop (driving) there's a good chance he'll end up killing either himself or someone else."

Police had caught the man driving twice in the past two years and each time had seized his vehicle. "Every time a car is taken off him he just goes out and buys another one."

A Land Transport spokesman said it was unusual for older people to continue driving after failing the medical test. Drivers are required to undergo a medical test at age 75 and 80, then every two years thereafter.