Should drivers 65 and over have regular driving assessments
A group dedicated to supporting older drivers is encouraging all motorists aged 65 and above to think about participating in regular driving assessments. They emphasize that these evaluations can help ensure safety on the roads and provide older drivers with valuable feedback on their skills.
The statistics
The Older Drivers Forum, which collaborates with police forces across the UK, is encouraging senior motorists to review their driving skills and address any medical conditions.
This appeal follows Department for Transport statistics revealing a 45% rise since 2010 in the number of drivers over 70 who have been injured or killed in accidents across the UK.
Sergeant Owen Messenger from the Devon and Cornwall Police road casualty reduction team stated: “Too often, we encounter collisions where, upon closer examination, it becomes clear that the driver shouldn’t have been on the road, and perhaps someone should have identified that earlier.”
Opposing views
Sgt Messenger highlighted that Devon and Cornwall have a significant population of elderly residents who wish to continue driving.
“They want to retain their driving licences for as long as possible because public transport is sometimes not as reliable as it could be,” he explained.
“Our goal is to help them drive safely for longer while ensuring they remain safe on the roads. It’s about making sure they are still fit to drive.”
A risk to other road users?
The Older Drivers’ Forum reports that motorists over 70 are less likely to be involved in collisions caused by speed, carelessness, or recklessness.
However, they are 38% more likely to be involved in accidents resulting from failing to look properly and 55% more likely to be involved in collisions due to misjudging another person’s speed or path
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Possible solutions for this
Rob Heard, a former police traffic officer and founder of the forum, noted that older drivers make up approximately 17% of all licence holders.
“They drive 11% of all miles but, concerningly, account for about 23% of all road fatalities,” he stated.
“This isn’t because they are reckless or unsafe drivers. It’s due to the fact that, as we age, our bodies become more fragile, making us more susceptible to serious injuries or fatalities in the event of a collision.”
Mr. Heard added, “We often remind people: ‘If you MOT your car every year, why not MOT yourself?’
“When it’s time to renew your licence, consider taking a mature driver assessment or scheduling regular eyesight tests.”
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