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?

Maybe an online reaction type test combined with theory test? I’m thinking like optician field vision where you click a button. Then if you don’t pass you could be referred for a practical observation or re test.

@Dixiechickonhols

Maybe an online reaction type test combined with theory test? I’m thinking like optician field vision where you click a button. Then if you don’t pass you could be referred for a practical observation or re test.

But to prevent people cheating, you'd still need to go to a special centre (like with the theory test). You wouldn't be able to do something like that from home.

I think it would be reasonable for repeat testing of all ages. Accident rates are higher in young not old. I’d think it should be more frequent after 75, perhaps but maybe five yearly until then.
I’d think they should probably increase driving age to adulthood too. Greatest risks are teenagers in cars.

Strangely enough the only person I know who had an accident when driving the wrong way down a road was about 20 at the time.. Was a young female rather than male and a dual carriageway rather than a motorway.

100% should resit at 70 if passed over 10 years ago. Or 10 years after any pass, if passed between 60-70

This isn't about BAD driving. Which is for all age groups.

This is about the evident change in our mental capability as we age, slower reaction times being one of them.

The roads have also changed drastically in the last 20 years alone, and will continue to do so.

I see plenty unsafe driving, over cautious, nervous driving, which causes accidents, and sadly the majority of the time it is the elderly.

Bad dangerous driving, we all know is all groups, and a lot of under 21's hence their insurance being high. In addition if you have your licence under 2 years, you cannot rank up as many points and lose your licence and therefore resit.

But that isn't the question here, it's wether with age, our driving skills decline to a level that is no longer safe.

No conservative government will bring it in as the rely too heavily on the oldies votes.

Yes absolutely. DF 87 shouldn't - I think - be driving but I don't know how to tell him.
People are living longer so it's going to be a growing issue. I'd start at 75 or 80 for now rather than 70.

You look

YANBU I think it should be every 10 years for everyone

You look at the highest risk and tackle that with an an action plan. No point throwing money and resource to tackle a lower risk. Where do over 70s sit?

I would far rather travel in any car drive by my 80+ relatives than go in the car of a 20 - 25 female relative who drives over the speed limit of the road at all times and does so with children in the car.
If I spend any time in that young lady's car I am sure I wont make it to be an older driver.

sunflower yes I meant at a theory test centre - home wouldn’t work. I’m only 40s and didn’t do a theory test just a few questions at end of practical. Could probably combine a simple eye test too of the read a number plate at x meters in room before you sat at computer for test.

I think we should all have 5 year retesting for safety reasons.

Plenty of drivers under 70 who need re-testing too imo.

Many elderly people visit the doctors regularly. I’m sure doctors have a good idea who can drive or not. The DVLA should be made aware of any ill health or conditions that may affect driving.

Everyone ages differently. My grandpa was driving up until his death - died suddenly in his 70’s.. My grandma is the same age and had stopped driving a few years before.

It is a lifeline for so many elderly people. Where I live public transport is rubbish!

Most people are still working until not far off 70!

I'm in my 70s and when my last car died I didn't replace it because reaction time etc decreases with age and I didn't want to be responsible for killing someone. So I'm all for older drivers to be tested but think all ages should be tested at some point.

Of course, that doesn't solve the problem that a considerable number of accidents are caused by those under 25. How do you solve that problem?

YANBU.

I’m 38 been driving 21 years. I’d be happy to be recertified even every decade to be honest - and the amount of people admitting on a recent thread to never having an eye test I think everyone should be!

Considering that half the twats I see doing twattish things every day presumably passed a test I think it would be a colossal waste of time and money.

Like all twatty ideas of this tyep (see also ID cards etc) it would inconvenience the law abiding and considerate whilst the twats would carry on being twats.

Or just introduce the ability to report someone as being an unsafe driver. You can report to dvla that they shouldn't be driving for medical reasons but not ability. You should be able to report someone's name and address as being an unsafe driver and they get called to retake their test.

@Tinydinosaur

Or just introduce the ability to report someone as being an unsafe driver. You can report to dvla that they shouldn't be driving for medical reasons but not ability. You should be able to report someone's name and address as being an unsafe driver and they get called to retake their test.

It would be incredibly helpful if that was an option. I'm suprised some posters think older people go to the doctors so frequently that they would pick up on any deterioration. The majority of older people I know dont as they dont want to trouble the doctors or because think they are indestructible. The same reason many also dont go to the opticians.

Apologies if this has already been mentioned, but there is a petition for anyone who is interested in signing (there was a BBC story the other day with a very similar case that also sparked a petition, but I can't find it now!)

www.change.org/p/secretary-of-state-for-transport-introduce-compulsory-age-appropriate-retesting-every-3-years-once-a-driver-turns-70

My dad was an absolute menace in the car and should have stopped driving way before it was taken out of his hands. The issue of self-certifying your fitness to drive is bonkers.

Totally agree OP. My very elderly neighbour killed a young woman some years ago now. He was in the early stages of dementia apparently, but didn't realise this himself. He attempted suicide after the accident.

But even though conditions are vastly different from when people took their tests, this hasn’t happened overnight and these drivers have got used to the changes as they have happened. My parents are in their 70s and are very good and safe drivers. And they don’t just pootle around locally they (pre Covid) drive all over. I wonder if there is area variation too, if you live in places where the public transport is shit you have to drive more. I agree doctors and opticians should be able to ban people on health grounds but we also need to consider that a lot of pensioners are poor and can’t afford the extra for a driving test.

I agree re the stats around elderly drivers not really stacking up, so many will already be regulating their own driving it is hard to compare.

Young people aren’t having more accidents because they are young though, it’s inexperience. Changing the age wouldn’t change the stats, you’d just have more 25-30 year olds causing accidents.

Old people are having accidents because they are old.

They could have combined the tests with giving vaccines - all the 'right' age groups together

@LordOfTheOnionRings

YES - my 89 year old Grandad with horrible eyesight and dementia was still driving until three months ago when we physically removed the car from the property. In his disabled badge photo he has his eyes closed and mouth open...honestly

Some guy like that nearly ran my family over after running a red light so I totally agree in the additional testing.