mandatory retesting for drivers over 80

[InSlovakiaTheCapitalOfCourseIsBratislava]

It’s been a pretty even split on the mandatory retesting for over seventies, and a bit of ‘70 is too young but I’d support 80’, so, in the spirit of research, a refinement to the original query

This is not an opportunity for the ‘what about terrible younger drivers who are reckless and cause accidents’ - it’s agreed to be a problem.
Nor is is ‘what about drink/drug dricing’
Nor is is ‘what about the backlog of driving tests that currently exists’

Its a ‘is it unreasonable for over 80s to do pass compulsory driving test in order to hold on to their licence’

Tje recommendations from the FAI for a little boy killed by a 92 year old pensioner suggested it, there’s Scarlett’s law proposal in NI and someone in the previous thread shared a graph which showed a U curve of accidents against age - high for the 17-25, decreased, ans rose sky high at 80

Next thread " Should over 90s be forced to have driving tests? " If this thread goes as well as the last one?

Not sure about retesting as I don’t think many of us would actually pass our driving test if we took it now. You learn to pass your test. However I definitely think people should be tested for sight, reflexes, cognition, etc, to make sure they’re safe to drive. Looking at my parents, I would say 80 is too old so would go with 70 with checks every couple of years as people seem to go downhill quite quickly after 75.

This should absolutely happen. Anyone able and capable will have nothing to worry about, anyone who shouldn’t be driving can be stopped before they hurt anyone.

YABU.

Over 70s only make up a small percentage of accidents, most of which are accidents at junctions because they cannot see properly or cannot make a correct decision quickly, and the only reason their accidents have a high mortality rate is due to them being old and more fragile and less likely to survive an impact force compared to a young person.

They shouldn't have to re-take a test, but they should be seen by a doctor at least once a year to check on their general health, then the GP contacting the DVLA if there are any reasons why they should not be driving e.g. eye sight, dementia issues etc...

Driving should be treated as a privilege. I'd much rather see hefty driving bans to those who use their phones behind the wheel, or drive aggressively.

They should probably have to have general health checks - especially eye tests - but not an actual test itself. The driving test, as taken by new drivers, includes a lot of things that only matter whilst you're a novice, and have no relevance once you're experienced at driving - things like not crossing your arms on the wheel, obsessively checking your mirrors, putting on your handbrake in the middle of a turn in the road, hugging the kerb when you reverse around a corner.

It's a bit like when you're a child, and your parents give you strict rules to keep you safe - but once you're older and more aware of the world, none of it actually matters and common sense can take over. At 6, you must always wait for the green man; but when you're 30 and you can see that the road is entirely deserted, not so much.

In Spain where I lived for years, they have centres designated for this. Eyes, reflexes and hearing tested, medications reviewed before renewing licences. All drivers are tested but more frequently for those over 70. Should be the same here.

You don't need to retest. You need more stops to check the people who are unlicenced to start, then the drugged up people and those whose cars aren't fit to be on the road.

The police should organise these more often.

I think I'd prefer that everyone gets re-assessed after an accident regardless of age. I also think the insurance company should do it before agreeing to insure the vehicle. Seems a lot more unbiased than what OP wants.

All drivers should have mandatory testing, every 5 years, regardless of age. We do it for every other type of vehicle, why not cars?

I agree and please start with the scooter delivery drivers.

I read on the other thread that tests are in high demand with backlogs, but what I haven't seen is anyone mention completion of some sort of theory test.. could that be something to consider as an alternative? It would be a useful refresher for elderly drivers and surely would be easier to manage limited resources if it is online.

I think a lot of people don't like the idea that older people should be restricted or monitored like this. Or perhaps are aging themselves and don't like the idea of it happening to them - which I think everyone can reasonably understand.

However, the amount of elderly I see driving with blinkers on, going straight over junctions, just pulling into lanes to go where they want instead of being in the right lane in the first place, not looking right on a round about just fixed on where they're going... Well it's a lot. And I don't even drive.

I'm wholly aware of all the drink/drug/phone users who drive like they are invincible as well - I don't dispute that more needs to be done and penalties need to be harsher for those caught along with expensive reeducation before they are allowed to drive again. But I do agree that more needs to be done with regards to reviewing whether an elderly person should still be driving as well.

I don't think you could force them to go to the doctors for a health check yearly, and realistically the health service wouldn't cope with the additional pressure, although I do think some conditions such as dementia should automatically disqualify from driving. But a hazard perception test every 2 years and visual check could be done maybe to check they can react quickly enough. Or opticians have to legally supply information to the dvla on ALL potential drivers who don't have sufficient eyesight to continue driving. Eye checks are every 2 years usually.

I'd absolutely support this. The speed of my parents' decline when they hit their 80s was remarkable. Finally got Dad to stop driving at 84, but he was a danger on the roads way before then. He was just lucky not to have killed or injured someone. Mum stopped driving voluntarily ages ago - late 60s probably.

I definitely think independent eye/reaction tests for over 80s.

Not GPs. Fil had to be assessed for driving following crashing into mil’s care home wall. The GP said it was “up to fil’s conscience”. Guess what - he carried on driving. (Fortunately his car broke down and no family member could possibly help getting it fixed…)

I’m 57 and would probably fail my test if I had to take it.

I think that we should introduce an eye test and doctors exam that is sent to the DVLA to show wellness to drive.
I say this as my neighbour drove with macular degeneration (he couldn’t see you until you were within 2ft of him). He refused to stop driving and said there was nothing wrong with his eyes.
Another family friend has been diagnosed with early dementia, struggles to walk without an aid and cannot keep up with most conversations and is still driving.

I support it. Far too often we hear or know of the family members who all know dear old gran is a menace on the roads, but nobody wants to take her keys because 'she's driven all her life', 'she'll be isolated'. Or grandpa who can't remember why he left the house, well, 'he only drives the same route to the shops and back', 'it's muscle memory'.
Then someone dies.

There are also scenarios where family aren't close enough to see the degeneration and step in. My mum had to tell the family of one of her elderly friends that she wasn't safe to drive anymore, because she got in the car with her and she had forgotten where she was going a few minutes into the drive, couldn't stay on the right side of the road, was on the verge, etc. If nobody notices, then that elderly person is a liability and will kill someone. The elderly friend took it hard, she was furious, but realistically, by the time 6 months had passed her memory was so bad she didn't recollect ever having a car, so it was short term anger for long term safety.

I think it would be a costly and administrative nightmare tbh, if there was a high uptake. However I think that an 80 year old would be more likely to surrender their licence and use the money they would have paid on refresher lessons/ test/ application fee on taxis. Which might do the necessary, and get anyone who’s boarderline incompetent at driving off the road!

An 84 year old recently killed a 16yo girl in north London in his car.

I often wonder on these threads whether the people criticising old peoples driving and want them off the roads especially when it involves their parents whether or not they step up and drive them to appointments, supermarkets etc.

I think something is needed. Maybe just more observation and reflex testing alongside eyesight.
At the moment leaving it up to the family can just cause stress and arguments ask me how I know

I think 70.
And im 68

My parents said they would get taxis everywhere when we managed to convince Dad to stop driving. They have not got a single taxi. My sister, brother and I drive them everywhere which is a huge drain on our free time (all work full time, all have DC).

That's irrelevant though. Are you saying people should be allowed to drive dangerously because it's more convenient?
I would go one further and mandate that everyone should stop driving at 80.

I wouldn't necessarily support a complete retest, it would be impossible, cant get a test as it is for 6 months!! But a mandatory test of reflexes, sight, maybe uo to date knowledge of a few things would be appropriate.

I dont actually think most 40 yos would pass their test now but are significantly better drivers than the 17 yos passing now.

Of course not. I'm just wondering how many people (family members) step up and run them to important appointments and make sure they get to the shops etc.

A full retest probably not because I don’t think there would be many people of any age after driving a while that would be able to pass again - it doesn’t mean you are a bad driver just that the rules change etc. However I do think that there needs to be a mandatory health assessment completed by doctors, opticians etc to show that you are fit to drive, you can see, no underlying health conditions like dementia, heart issues, hearing issues, Reflex testing, hazard awareness.