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

But we happily set a minimum age for driving on the public highway, even though some children can drive much younger. IMO it's not about the rights of the elderly driver, but about the safety of other road users and pedestrians. Eyesight, hearing and reactions are only part of it - my dad's shoulder was so weak he could not turn the steering wheel effectively and his legs were so stiff they once got stuck on the accelerator pedal 😣
I am not agist - far from it. I can usually be found defending pensioners, even though I am not get one myself. But I honestly think this is a case of the rights of the innocents overriding the rights of an individual.

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/reported-road-casualties-great-britain-older-and-younger-driver-factsheets-2023/reported-road-casualties-in-great-britain-older-driver-factsheet-2023

Shows 75 is the optimal intervention point to me. It doesn't need to be guessed based on anecdotes.

Yep, that is what happens with motorcycles.

Based on the chart K1 it would seem women are more likely to be involved in an accident from 51 years old onwards. Goes back to the point of being unbiased. If you're in an accident you should be reassessed. No matter what age or gender.

Even if it is not your fault?

Totally agree. DM is in her 80s ans has never been a particularly good driver but it now terrible. Pretty sure she has ADHD and her attention is all over the place. One or two people have told her she should stop driving and she is outraged. Sigh!

I actually think there shoukd be a mandatory eye test before taking your driving test (or before getting provisional licence?)

and then mandatory eye tests every few years to retain one's licence.

Someone's eyesight can deteriorate gradually without them realising.

You have to be able to read a number plate from a certain distance, and that is the first part of a driving test. If you fail that, you don't do your test.

I belong to a choir and each week I see a number of our older members driving who really should not be behind the wheel. They drive in the middle of the road, can’t park safely, can’t see or turn their head at junctions. However, if all over 80ies were stopped, we wouldn’t have a choir.
i agree that both the GP and optician should be obliged to report to the DVLA anyone whose health or eyesight renders them unsafe to drive. An accident waiting to happen. No need for extra tests.

It was at that point i realised i needed glasses, because it was realllly hard to see and i thought i had said the wrong letters and numbers. I hadn't.... but I only JUST saw it. Didnt realise my eyes were bad. Booked an eye test shortly after.

Besides, seeing a number plate clearly when one was 18 has no bearing on whether one's eyes are still ok 5, 10, 15, 20 years later. And like I said - the changes can be so gradual that the person doesnt realise.

I stand by my opinion - mandatory regular eye testing for the privilege of holding your licence. Such an easy thing to do.

My uncle was the same. Found out he had shit eyesight when he had his driving test.

I agree... regular eye tests to keep your license.

I think regular eye tests should apply to every one, because you only have to go near a school at the beginning or end of the day to see how many people are incapable of seeing yellow lines, double yellow lines, people’s driveways, oncoming cars and even children ;)

My gran is 90 and she’s never been a great driver. She’s still driving. I am trying my absolute best to convince her to give up her car, but ultimately I can’t make her.

She only drives back and forth to the local shops and she’s still very independent. Mentally, she’s sharp, but her reflexes are obviously impaired. I’m so worried about her and other people on the road. She would never forgive herself if she hurt someone and it would be so awful if something happened so late in her life. I just think she sees herself as herself, and not some 90 year old.

I would support measures taken to assess drivers over 80 but not any younger tbh.

I think all drivers should take some form of driving assessment every ten years. It would tie in with renewing the photo-card license anyway. Plus a closer link between DVLA and regular eye testing.

Even a simulator test and Highway Code test would be better than the present state of nothing.

I don’t know, my 93 yo relative drives better than a lot of people on the road. Hasn’t had an accident since the 70s.

They really don't

Compulsory annual eye tests from 70, yes, doctors certificate of competency from 80, yes, actual driving test, not sure, the much older drivers (85+) I know tend to be pretty careful

They don’t what?

I think you do already have to renew your license at 70 then every three years after that, but the medical stuff is self declared. The flaw there is the you may not be aware of things like cognitive decline and failing eyesight, so I do think there should be a basic medical test for eyesight and reactions etc. It should be low cost as well to encourage people to keep their independence as they age.

my mum, despite regaining her licence after a craniotomy two years ago, has decided to give up driving at nearly 90, although she is actually as sharp as a whip and I felt safe with her. My dad on the other hand is younger but in cognitive decline and I havnt felt safe in a car with him for the last year but he won’t give up. I have notified his GP but nothing seems to have happened yet. I think the next step is to notify the DLVA

My Dad is 88. He was always a good and confident driver. His mobility is good and his eyesight well tested with good glasses.

He drives well and I regularly sit with him and check.
He’ll stop if anything changes but at the moment he is fine and retains his independence.

This comes across like you don’t care about the avoidable deaths of the elderly as long as those unsuitable to drive can keep driving?!
Surely as driving is a privilege anyone unsuited to it should be off the roads?

I’m in Aus so not sure of the rules but surely you need an eye test when you renew your licence?

This was the same for my mum too, although it was (luckily!) when she had her first lesson!

I don't agree with a driving test, but sight, reflex and cognition after 75 I'd agree with, and those tests repeated every 2-3 years (and I say that as a driver in my 60s. I'd even go one further and suggest a licence is revoked at a certain point (85/90?) We recognise when people are too young to drive, but what about too old to drive?

Whilst on the subject there should be other changes. New drivers cannot carry passengers for the first year, whilst they build their driving skills. More checks on cars to see if they have MOT and tax*. Something to deal with the amount of unlicensed scooter drivers on the road.

*Now that we don't have paper tax discs, it's amazing how many people don't bother or forget to get their tax renewed.

1000s of elderly die every year from falling over. Should we stop them walking too?

it is a very small number of deaths compared to falls.

My MIL died from falling over.

If a person states facts it doesn't mean they don't care. What a ridiculous comment.