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?

I think a refresher for everyone would be appropriate. It seems odd to be signed off as being safe to drive a ton weight metal death trap and never be tested again.
Saying that, young new drivers are meant to be statistically more dangerous, hence why their insurance premiums are steep.

@Mia184 I just came on to say about the elderly driver who drove into the window of the bakery shop I used to work in. I wonder if it was the same bakery. It happened again too, another elderly driver, it was very lucky that no one was hurt.

I strongly agree that something needs to be done, I know of a couple of people who kept thier cars for much longer than they should have done through fear of losing thier independence.

I think a 10 year resitting of the theory test which includes a hazard perception test which increases to 3 yearly once you hit 70. It is easy to do lots of theory tests at once rather than practical driving tests.
The hazard perception will show suitability for driving at any age.

I know a lady who uses a Zimmer frame to walk who is still driving. She is not at all safe but she drives at 40mph no matter what the speed limit is. I also had a gentleman that I know flash me when I overtook him at 50mph on a long straight National speed limit road. I did ask him later what he thought the speed limit was and he thought 50mph.

Definitely.

[quote Sparklingbrook]@ClarkeGriffin as I explained in a subsequent post he gets regular checks at work as do all the drivers. So no need for your confusion.
This may not be the same everywhere though-I am not an expert in driving jobs.[/quote]
That's not my point though. My point is that he should be a good driver anyway, so has no reason to fear failing.

I don't mind a retest every 5 years, but I also have no fear in my mind about failing. I drive well, carefully, don't hesitate like a lot of drivers do, and am constantly on the look out for idiots on the road.

Realistically he should be the same. He's got a hell of a lot of practice of being on the road, and dealing with idiots every day (as I'd be surprised if he doesn't see at least one every day). He's more likely to pass than Sarah down the road who uses her car once a month, for example.

My old workplace, a large organisation use to have us do online testing if you drove and wanting to claim any milage. Multiple choice, theory and spotting hazards. If you failed you had to have a session with an instructor. That was a pretty good idea.

@00100001

Why just 70+

I think we should be tested every 5-10 years form when we pass.

Good point, there are some shocking drivers out there of all ages. A test every 5 years would work for me.

That's not my point though. My point is that he should be a good driver anyway, so has no reason to fear failing

I don't really understand your point if it's in relation to one individual that I happen to know that has a driving job over 70.

I was originally (24 hours ago now) thinking about the drivers in their 70s that could potentially (quite rightly) get their licences taken from them if they fail and are instantly rendered unemployed because they can't get there. Because 70 these days isn't that old and many people work. I was musing about the impact etc because these people do exist.

@Sparklingbrook

That's not my point though. My point is that he should be a good driver anyway, so has no reason to fear failing

I don't really understand your point if it's in relation to one individual that I happen to know that has a driving job over 70.

I was originally (24 hours ago now) thinking about the drivers in their 70s that could potentially (quite rightly) get their licences taken from them if they fail and are instantly rendered unemployed because they can't get there. Because 70 these days isn't that old and many people work. I was musing about the impact etc because these people do exist.

But why would they fail if they can drive well?

What the public think
In a recent survey conducted by Click4Reg, concerning 650 respondents, it became clear that the UK public are decisively divided in concern to which age group pose the greatest risk on the road. 52% claim it is drivers aged 17–24, but 48% placed a focus on the older category of drivers (70+). An extremely close result that perhaps highlights why these two driving groups are always so hotly contested.

What is more, although the general consensus agree that older drivers are a concern, they’re perhaps more of a hindrance than a danger, with an overwhelming 84.62% of people agreeing that older drivers should be allowed to continue to drive for however long they please and can. Whereas, when it comes to the young and inexperienced, 76% of people agreed that far more needs to be done to teach new drivers: even voting in favour of an extended learning period, with far more emphasis on practice and road-related education.

There were 10,974 accidents involving drivers over the age of 70 in 2011, says the DfT. That compares with 11,946 accidents involving 17-to-19-year-old drivers and 24,007 accidents involving 20-to-24-year-old drivers. Its statistics do not account for who caused the accident.

Figures also show that 46 drivers aged 16 to 19 died in an accident, while 173 drivers aged between 20 and 29 involved in an accident died. That compared with 59 deaths in drivers aged between 70 and 79 involved in an accident, and 52 over the age of 80.

I know older drivers that I’d consider bad drivers, same for some younger ones. I’d expect that any regulation in the area should be based on hard data ... not an aIBU poll :)

I live at n an area with a highly older population, we call our local supermarket Dare because you are so likely to be bumped by an older driver or find someone having a turn!! Oh yes and mistaking the brake for the accelerator that’s very common. I’m not 15 years off 70 would not want to be a liability.

Figures also show that 46 drivers aged 16 to 19 died in an accident, while 173 drivers aged between 20 and 29 involved in an accident died. That compared with 59 deaths in drivers aged between 70 and 79 involved in an accident, and 52 over the age of 80.
So 11 a year of 16-19
17 a year of 20-29
6 a year70-79
Say 4 a yrar over 80
Possibly a lot to do with how much driving they do

We have that system from 70yo starting with med certification then leading to periodic testing and with the option of modified licenses (restricted and local).

There were 10,974 accidents involving drivers over the age of 70 in 2011, says the DfT. That compares with 11,946 accidents involving 17-to-19-year-old drivers and 24,007 accidents involving 20-to-24-year-old drivers. Its statistics do not account for who caused the accident.

You don’t allow for %’s though. If, for example and using simple figures to make a point, 100 people who drive are age 20-24 and 5 people who drive are age over 70, then looking at outcomes in that light the proportion of accidents involving older drivers would be far higher than that involving 20-24yo drivers for example. The way you have used figures there is fairly meaningless.

Yes I also agree Op. I come alot of older people in my line of work that I know are unsafe to drive but refuse to stop and make every excuse under the sun why they should carry on. The amount of times I hear ' but I only drive locally'.

In British Columbia we have a system where drivers over 80 must have a doctor's exam showing fitness to drive, including eyesight, cognition and physical ability. They do not have to do driving test. In fairness, I think more than normal would fail the driving test due to nerves and unfamiliarity with the route. Most elderly drivers I know have a very limited area; to shopping, to church, to the fitness centre, etc., and most driving is done during the day.

Statistically it is true that major accidents are more common when young but minor ones are massively underreported by older drivers who rarely report events to Insurance companies for fear of their premiums rising .

I live in an area with large numbers of older drivers in the year before Covid I saw a car parked in a car park with no handbrake so it rolled down the hill scattering people and nearly hitting a pushchair before coming to rest on another car, driving the wrong way on one way roads is too common to mention, elderly driver drove into the side of me after indicating left and pulling across the road to turn right ( again very unwilling to report) , only yesterday I saw a man drive into the kerb three times before being able to line up at the fuel pump and then needed a stick to get out of the car. So many cars in this town are covered in bumps and scrapes because people lack the spatial awareness to park.

I would love for my parents to be retested. They’re only in their sixties but they’re shocking drivers. My in-laws are the same. I have a theory that they all learned to drive on terrible cars which required you to absolutely pound the pedals, because all four of them alternate between slamming the brakes and the accelerator as if it’s the only way to get them to work.

My mum is the worst of all. Absolutely zero lane discipline, never checks her mirrors, changes lane on roundabouts without indicating, drives too fast. It’s an absolute miracle she hasn’t had an accident.

I am 70 next year. I am already on three year driving licences because of an eye condition. I have made the decision not to drive in the dark.
People speak on here of bad driving by older drivers. I took my test in the 80s. There was no theory test, and traffic conditions were vastly different.
I support retests in theory, but I am not sure how practical it is.
A theory test would only go so far. Spotting hazards on a screen is not the same as spotting hazards on the road and reacting to them.
Practical tests have to be paid for, and most drivers would need some instruction beforehand, so it could be an expensive business.
If retests are to be done perhaps they should be done after a certain number of years driving, not by the age of the person.
Incidentally my father in law, who was actually a very safe driver, never took a test at all because he trained to drive in the forces during the war.

We all have to get our vehicles assessed for road worthiness on a yearly basis once they are over 3yrs old so I don't see why the drivers shouldn't also take some sort of assessment on a 5 or 10yr cycle. Maybe a short course with an advanced instructor and then an assessment to highlight any issues which could include a need for a full retest. Expect these would have to be paid for by the driver but that would all be part & parcel of the overall expense of keeping a vehicle. Am in my late 60's and this is certainly something me and OH think about as our earning power as well as social lives (pre Covid) depend on driving, often abroad. I want to know I'm a competent driver and would rather like that other drivers were competent too.

but minor ones are massively underreported by older drivers who rarely report events to Insurance companies for fear of their premiums rising

Evidence that thus is age related? Sure it goes on, but young drivers who are already facing massive premiums (because they are the riskiest drivers on the road) are the ones usually pinged as worst culprits

But why would they fail if they can drive well?

Nerves.

I think I'm a good driver but as I mentioned upthread, I failed four times because I was so nervous. I never failed on the same thing twice so I could obviously "do it" but it's hard to carry out a manoeuvre when your right leg is in spasm. Add the pressure of your job being on the line...

@RoseAndRose

but minor ones are massively underreported by older drivers who rarely report events to Insurance companies for fear of their premiums rising

Evidence that thus is age related? Sure it goes on, but young drivers who are already facing massive premiums (because they are the riskiest drivers on the road) are the ones usually pinged as worst culprits

The trouble is there wont be any evidence purely because the bumps, prangs, errors of judgement etc all go unreported.

In my experience my neighbours wouldn't think twice of reporting a younger driver who bumped their car or drove carelessly but I've genuinely lost count of the number of excuses made by them on behalf of my 90 year old neighbour. No one wants to report him because he's old, he'll lose his freedom, he's a nice guy, he didn't mean it, there's no real harm done, he's a good neighbours etc