Older Driver Policy Statements - February 2001
Older Drivers
This factsheet contains policy statements on older drivers, the THINK Road Safety campaign has a useful leaflet with advice and information for older drivers (opens external link)
For the purpose of this policy statement, older drivers are defined as drivers over the age of 60 years. However, it is acknowledged that older drivers do not form an homogenous group and wide variations in their characteristics and driving abilities exist within this general category.
Older people are a large and increasing proportion of the population. Mobility is vital for people to maintain a full and independent life, therefore, transport policy, vehicle design and the transport environment needs to reflect, and provide for, their needs.
RoSPA does not believe that there should be a maximum driving age beyond which drivers automatically lose their driving licence. People age at different rates, thus someone aged 70 years may well be fitter, more alert and active than someone aged 60 years or younger. Research does not indicate that there is an age at which all drivers become unable to drive safely. Setting an arbitrary age limit would inevitably be unfair to some drivers who would be able to drive safely at and beyond the age limit chosen.
However, as people get older, it is inevitable that general health and fitness, eyesight, hearing, reaction time and physical mobility will begin to deteriorate. Since these changes are often gradual, they may not be apparent to the individual concerned or to members of their immediate family or circle of acquaintance. Older drivers may unknowingly experience physical and psychological health problems, which vary widely from individual to individual.
Whilst many older drivers perceive their driving ability has not deteriorated, most do tend to adjust their driving patterns to avoid situations they find difficult, thus reducing their risk of traffic accidents, for example, by avoiding rush hour traffic, night driving and poor weather conditions.
There are several areas where action is possible to reduce the road accident risk involving older drivers, each ideally being made available in good time to drivers so that they are able to plan for changes in their driving patterns at retirement age.
Medical Checks
Drivers should be encouraged to undergo a formal medical check before renewing their licence when they reach 70 years of age, and again each time their licence is renewed. Drivers are advised to seek regular medical checks (or at the least, eye checks) from an earlier age. It is noted that vocational drivers are required to undergo medical checks from 45 years of age.
Appropriate information and guidance for primary health care workers is important to assist them in assessing an individual’s suitability for driving and to enable them to provide appropriate and sensitive advice.
Serious consideration should be given to a system of compulsory medical checks, and whether such checks might best be conducted by the driver’s own GP or by an independent ‘driving’ doctor.
Awareness, Information and Education
Information, education and publicity are needed to help to raise awareness of the effects of ageing, and of the possible effects of medicines on driving performance, amongst older drivers and their relatives. Positive advice on alternatives to driving should be incorporated into any materials and campaigns.
Assessment and Training
Assessment and training courses should be made available to older drivers, tailored to the needs of the individual. Some courses have already been developed. They should include some form of independent assessment as well as encouraging self-assessment by the drivers concerned. However, training needs to be affordable and accessible. The cost, if borne by the drivers themselves, will have a direct effect on the number of drivers willing to take training voluntarily.
The Highway Environment
Older drivers tend to experience particular difficulties in negotiating complex road junctions and in locating and understanding road signs and road-side facilities. Highway design guidelines, and designers themselves should take account of the needs and abilities of older road users.
Vehicle Design
Vehicle designers should take account of the abilities and needs of older drivers too. This is especially important when considering vehicle design and related ergonomics. Vehicle cockpit design and layout is one area where more attention should be paid so that the most-used, and essential controls are in the same places in all vehicles. Action in this field would need to be developed and implemented on an international level. Advanced vehicle telematics may be modified to help accommodate reduced physical ability.
Alternative Transport Modes
Transport planners should be catering for older road users who may be considering giving up driving. It is unlikely that people will consider giving up the freedom and convenience of driving their own car unless there are suitable, safe, clean, attractive, convenient and affordable alternatives.
Planning and land use policies are also crucial, and should be designed to ensure that people (of all ages) have access to local facilities and services, so that the need to travel by car is reduced.
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RoSPA is a registered charity: Registered Charity No: 207823 Patron: Her Majesty the Queen RoSPA Head Office: Edgbaston Park, 353 Bristol Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham B5 7ST, UK |
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