To think older drivers should be re-tested

[katedan]

I have just read a SM discussion about older ( 70+) drivers and if they should be retested or have medicals to keep their drivers licences. It got quite confrontational on the discussion as those who were older felt it was unfair to generalise. This is an issue close to my heart as my dad now early 80s does not understand the risks associated with age around slower reflexes and impact of impaired memory on driving. Surely most people over 70 will consider themselves still as sharp as before and sadly people with dementia etc are not aware it is happening as it is the people around them that notice first so compulsory medicals and re testingg every 5 years over 70 would ensure drivers on the road were still safe to themselves and others. So AiBU?

@coogee

How many people are killed and injured every year by drivers under 70?

As I recall, rather less than those killed by younger drivers

Older people account for 10% of all drivers, but only 6% of all road accidents.

If we want to reduce road deaths, the age group we should be targeting is young people.

25% of all fatal road accidents involve drivers under 25, even though they only account for 7% of drivers and, on average, drive less than older people. Of these, three-quarters are male.

Funny how I never see SM posts demanding that young men are banned from the roads, or subjected to re-testing.

It’s about being avoidable with old drivers. Younger drivers are more accident prone as they are new to it and inexperienced. They will usually get better and the only way to become a better driver is to practice. Older drivers ability is only going to get worse so it makes sense to retest them

It doesn’t help anyone to pretend that our faculties don’t decline with age. They do. Eyesight, reflexes, judgement and overall health.

A young man was killed near me recently after a 90 odd year old man drove the wrong way down the A3. Not a small mistake and a serious accident was inevitable.

Yes definitely

I think the driving test has changed significantly since older generations were tested. Eg isn’t it mandatory to use a sat nav at some point during a driving test now

@wingsnthat

Yes definitely

I think the driving test has changed significantly since older generations were tested. Eg isn’t it mandatory to use a sat nav at some point during a driving test now

What's that got to do with anything? You can choose not to use the satnav if your car has it installed. It's not compulsory to use it.

If anything the driving test is easier as you don't have to do a 3 point turn nor reverse around a corner anymore.

@Sparklingbrook

I know of a few people still working and driving to their jobs (one that drives for his job). Failing a retest although ensuring safety would be a catastrophe for them.

If they can't drive to the standard required, they shouldn't be driving for a living.

Everyone should retest every 10years

@Kazzyhoward I thought my point was clear but I’ll spell it out for you, it’s an example to show that today’s drivers are tested in additional categories compared to older generations. Us young adults jump through more hoops to be considered safe on the road. Meanwhile…

@DoThePropeller

It’s about being avoidable with old drivers. Younger drivers are more accident prone as they are new to it and inexperienced. They will usually get better and the only way to become a better driver is to practice. Older drivers ability is only going to get worse so it makes sense to retest them

It doesn’t help anyone to pretend that our faculties don’t decline with age. They do. Eyesight, reflexes, judgement and overall health.

A young man was killed near me recently after a 90 odd year old man drove the wrong way down the A3. Not a small mistake and a serious accident was inevitable.

So why don't we restrict young men to driving at certain times of day, and ban them from having passengers? Or make them use black boxes?

These anecdotes about individual older drivers killing people are meaningless. There are a lot more similar anecdotes about young drivers because they kill more people.

I'm not necessarily against re-testing of older drivers, but I am against a disproportionate focus on them and stigmatising of them, when this is not supported by the facts.

Yes @Toobored1 I am aware, but pointing out that people over 70 still work, that's all. AFAIK they are all good drivers, and the one that drives for a living has regular assessments at his work as all the drivers do.

I'm not sure the stats about older drivers hold out if we're talking per mile, rather than per driver. IME older drivers tend to become self limiting - avoid motorways or unfamiliar roads, only drive short local trips. Perhaps we need to consider whether you should be able to drive on any road safely in order to hold a license.

It is not just eyesight, but also reactions.
I am 62, have been driving since I passed my test in 1976. I know that my reactions are slower, since about 50. I drive accordingly.
Both my parents drove into their mid 80s. I have to admit that they both still drove in the same way, safely, but they were both aware about the issues.

@FlatCheese

I'm not sure the stats about older drivers hold out if we're talking per mile, rather than per driver. IME older drivers tend to become self limiting - avoid motorways or unfamiliar roads, only drive short local trips. Perhaps we need to consider whether you should be able to drive on any road safely in order to hold a license.

I think that's pretty accurate. My neighbour probably only drives within the same 10 mile radius so statistically he's probably not going to be caught speeding down a motorway or involved in a multiple car pile up but in the few years we've lived here he's had more minor accidents and near misses than I can count.

@VictoriaLudorum

It is not just eyesight, but also reactions. I am 62, have been driving since I passed my test in 1976. I know that my reactions are slower, since about 50. I drive accordingly. Both my parents drove into their mid 80s. I have to admit that they both still drove in the same way, safely, but they were both aware about the issues.

Statistically, drivers aged 60-69 are the safest age bracket of all.

I don't think we should retest but I do think that medical professionals need to be reporting to the DVLA rather than just advising patients not to drive.

It is interesting to read the various views and I agree all drivers should be assessed every 10 years with maybe that dropping to every 5 for those over 70/75. It is scary to read about 90 year olds still driving when they are unlikely to have had driving tests on the same sort of test conditions there are today. As we are an aging population I think it is a debate going forward. Public transport is free to over 75s to encourage them not to drive but of course that does not work in rural communities.

The most dangerous drivers are young men. That’s a fact. Older drivers tend to drive less and stay in areas they know well and they are not as over confident and dangerous as young drivers. They may have slower reflexes but still cause fewer accidents.

Statistically, drivers aged 60-69 are the safest age bracket of all.

Do the statistics fall off a cliff when they reach the magic 70?

Young men cause most accidents so if your concern was about safety you would suggest banning any male under 25 from driving. Alternatively they could be required to take an advanced driving test before being allowed near a road or perhaps require them to have devices fitted in their cars to ensure they are not drink driving and speeding.

Reaction speed drops as you get older but that is offset by greater experience and better defensive driving.

Eye test and a theory test for everyone every 5? Years. So many people can’t see properly and don’t routinely get eyes tested.
I also found a speed awareness course I went on very useful. It wasn’t just speeding is wrong it covered smart motorway etiquette and national speed limits etc so generally helpful. A refresher course like that would be beneficial to everyone.

[quote littlepattilou]@katedan

I kind of agree, and I feel a bit bad for agreeing because it seems rude and ageist. However, it is true that your reactions get slower as you get older, and I have experienced quite a few dangerous older drivers. Driving down the motorway backwards/the wrong way driving around traffic islands the wrong way, and pulling out in front of traffic. 3 or 4 people over 70 I know should not be driving.

However, some younger and middle aged people are not brilliant drivers, so I think everyone really should be re-tested every 5 years (every 3 after 70.) Not a hugely strict test, but just to show/prove you are still reasonably safe and competent.[/quote]
Really? You know loads of old drivers who drive backwards or the wrong way down the motorway.? I actually don't know any drivers who do this. Please let us in on where to find this exceptionally dangerous part of the country. I've certainly seen a lot of young drivers driving down the wrong side of the road to skip queues. Since most of them only recently passed a test, perhaps we should ban all young drivers, since they are too stupid to unstated what they just learned. It's probably going to be safer if we only only people to drive if they are over 30 and under 50. So you lot can drive, and the rest of us will give up our jobs, shopping and all other activities that take us out of the house. And you'll pay for us.

And yes, it's rude and ageist. There's are bad drivers. Of all ages. A minority. Deal with them. Personally, I've got to a ripe old age without ever driving the wrong way down a motorway. And I am sure that I'll manage not to do it going forwards too.

Absolutely!
An elderly car driver didn‘t „see“ my mom who was crossing the street on her bike when she (my mom) had a green light and drove into her. My mum ended up in hospital with a skull fracture.
Someone I went to school with was killed by an elderly car driver who didn‘t see her or the red light she (the car driver) was crossing.
I once witnessed an elderly car driver driving into a bakery causing quite a bit of damage but luckily not injuring anyone.
All these drivers were in their 80s. I think there should be some sort of retesting every couple of years from the age of 70.

Young drivers cause far more accidents than older drivers statistically. Saying that I agree that older drivers should be encouraged to do an hour with an instructor to assess their driving NOT a retest. Half the drivers on the road would fail if my observations are anything to go by.

All these people saying to re-test everyone every 5-10 years - how do you think that will actually work in practise?

When I booked my test (well before COVID) it was at least a three month wait for a space - the same with taking my theory. There simply isn't the time (nor are there enough examiners or test centres) to test the entire car-driving population that often.

Absolutely! I work in the NHS and some of the patients I see driving (bearing in mind I know their medical history) is terrifying and illegal.

But I do think this should be mandatory for everyone. Every 15 years or so. And not a test in the same way as it is when you pass. More of a check up like reviewing key questions, eye test, if any medical issues may make you unsafe, and a short observation.