For our 'senior' members

[slowsider]

recommendations for supporting safer driving into older age

https://roadsafetyfoundation.org/projec ... o-old-age/

[Horse]

MAKING ROADS SAFER FOR OLDER DRIVERS
• Older drivers (70+) do not pose a significant risk to other road users, but their relative frailty means that they are over-represented in serious crashes – particularly those over 80
• For drivers over 80, the rate of being killed or seriously injured, per licence held, is as high as for those aged 21-29
• Serious injuries among the young reflect inexperience; for older drivers it’s about their fragility
• We have an ageing population so expect huge increases in licences held by older drivers
• So older driver deaths will increase if we do not take decisive action now
• Car driver deaths in the 70-79 age group are forecast to increase by 40% over the next 20 years, and by more than a quarter in the 80+ age group

A series of recommendations will help curb these increases.
Setting targets to reduce deaths and serious injuries for drivers over 70 by 50% by 2030 and to have a longer-term aspiration for zero deaths by 2050 is a key recommendation in Supporting Safe Driving into Old Age, a summary report issued today by a team of experts funded by the Department of Transport.
Other proposals include:
• introducing mandatory eyesight testing with an optometrist or medical practitioner providing a driver ‘MOT’ of eyesight at licence renewal at the age of 70 and at further renewals;
• a programme of making T junctions safer – a notorious risk-point for older drivers;
• immediate research into the impact of physical and cognitive medical conditions, including diabetic peripheral neuropathy, that may contribute to pedal confusion;
• standardised content for Driving Appraisals and certified and trained instructors to assist older drivers;
• and a national roll-out of an alternative to prosecution for careless driving for older motorists.
For vehicles, the report also recommends that the government takes on board:
• EU standards of vehicle safety technology and
• further research into advanced occupant restraint systems such as split buckle or crisscross seat belts in recognition of the frailty of older drivers and passengers.
The Older Drivers Task Force was originally commissioned in 2016 to make its recommendations, acknowledging the importance of people living an active and healthy life into older age, and that age itself does not give an indicator of how fit a person is to drive. The aim is to support older drivers to continue to drive while they are still safe to do so.
Today’s report is published by the Road Safety Foundation which led the Task Force. Executive Director Dr Suzy Charman says: “There have been some developments since the previous review, but we want to increase the pace of progress to ensure that we do not see the expected rise in the number of older drivers killed or seriously injured in road crashes. Key recommendations such as introducing mandatory eye tests at licence renewal at aged 70 are considered essential and lifesaving.
“We hope the Department for Transport welcomes the report and can provide the leadership necessary to ensure these recommendations are taken forward. Not only will this make driving safer for older drivers, but it will also provide a legacy of safer roads for generations to come.”
John Plowman, chair of the Task Force, says in the report foreword: “I am grateful for the contributions of all members in following up the review and to the Road Safety Foundation for their support throughout our work. We are ready to help in whatever way we can to support the action now needed to make driving safer for older drivers, a vulnerable and growing sector of our community.”

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

What do I care, my pension is utter shite, so I've decided to take the largest lump sum I can and blow it all on hookers and drugs and go out in a blaze of sleaze.

[JackyJoll]

If there’s a medical test, to renew your licence after 70, expect to pay a couple of hundred quid.

[iansoady]

As a 72 year old I take exception to the phrase "their relative frailty" as well as the rest of it. My attention was recently drawn to an article in a similar vein by the IAM. That article suggested restricting "older drivers" to a specific set of roads if I remember correclty through the red haze of fury.......

Having said that, this crap government depends of the votes of older people (me excepted) so are most unlikely to implement anything like this.

[Cousin Jack]

A quick look at the Data section of the Summary Report suggests quite strongly that it is YOUNGER drivers that are the problem. The only real problem us oldies have is that, if we do crash, we don't bounce as well as youngsters.

As a crusty old senior citizen of 75 I still drive, ride a motorcycle, and I really don't think I am a danger to anyone else. I really don't mind if I have to have an eye test at licence renewal, but do I expect it to be free. Similarly I don't mind taking a re-test every 3 years, but I expect it to be realistic rather than a copy of the existing learner test. I expect that to be free too. Any potential Government threatening to make me pay for this bollocks should not expect my vote.

I live in an area with an awful lot of very old drivers (ie even older than me), and many of the are not very good. However they are mostly fairly safe, they are slow, tend to be hesitant and a bit of a nuisance, and probably have more than their fair share of minor dings, parking scrapes and suchlike. Half of them never get much over 40 mph which can be a PITA but is not inherently dangerous.

[Dickyboy]

@Cousin Jack not sure why you think eye or competency tests to see if you are fit to drive should be free, just part of the cost of motoring than non drivers shouldn't have to foot the bill for.

[Cousin Jack]

@Cousin Jack not sure why you think eye or competency tests to see if you are fit to drive should be free, just part of the cost of motoring than non drivers shouldn't have to foot the bill for.

Mainly because I already have my eyes tested regularly, and if I was told by an optician that my sight was marginal for driving I would give up. Similarly if I felt (or I was being told by friends and family) that my driving was unsafe I would pack it in.

I believe in being responsible, and I don't want or need a Nanny State. If it is forced on me I really am not prepared to pay for it

[Dickyboy]

@Cousin Jack not sure why you think eye or competency tests to see if you are fit to drive should be free, just part of the cost of motoring than non drivers shouldn't have to foot the bill for.

Mainly because I already have my eyes tested regularly, and if I was told by an optician that my sight was marginal for driving I would give up. Similarly if I felt (or I was being told by friends and family) that my driving was unsafe I would pack it in.

I believe in being responsible, and I don't want or need a Nanny State. If it is forced on me I really am not prepared to pay for it

Which is fine for all the time you are a rational straight thinking human but age & acceptance of the aging process can do some strange things to people. To prove he was still safe to drive my dad drove from Hereford to Scotland & back in the space of 24hrs needless to say he did fall asleep at the wheel, Ditto my father in law thought he was a competent driver until he took a competency and they took his licence off him there and then, first thing he wanted to do was get an international driving licence so he could still drive on holidays

[Wossname]

If there’s a medical test, to renew your licence after 70, expect to pay a couple of hundred quid.

I'm over 70 and have an HGV licence which now has to be renewed every year and involves a compulsory medical and comprehensive eye test. It cost £85 and was done by my GP practice. I don't begrudge it - it's quite detailed and may stop some drivers who shouldn't be driving which is a good thing. (as long as it isn't me!).

The problem at the mo is that DVLA has a huge backlog, and my licence,, which includes car / bike, expired a week ago and there's no info re when the new one will arrive. I'm assured that I'm still legal as long as I've applied in time.

[Cousin Jack]

It similarly has a backlog of driving tests, so I am not expecting a compulsory re-test any time soon.

[JackyJoll]

If there’s a medical test, to renew your licence after 70, expect to pay a couple of hundred quid.

I'm over 70 and have an HGV licence which now has to be renewed every year and involves a compulsory medical and comprehensive eye test. It cost £85 and was done by my GP practice. I don't begrudge it - it's quite detailed and may stop some drivers who shouldn't be driving which is a good thing. (as long as it isn't me!).

The problem at the mo is that DVLA has a huge backlog, and my licence,, which includes car / bike, expired a week ago and there's no info re when the new one will arrive. I'm assured that I'm still legal as long as I've applied in time.

You’ve got a cheap doctor. Mine used to do it for free if an employer wasn’t paying for the driver’s test. Then he retired and his successor wanted a case of Carlsberg. Then five years later it was £120. Now, factoring in another five years’ price increases and some pessimism, it could be a couple of ton.

I’m letting it lapse this time. I haven’t driven a lorry since 1986!

[Wossname]

I've discovered that although the car and bike entitlement has somehow been renewed till 2023, my lorry licence has apparently expired. Guess what - I can't get hold of DVLA to check this. "Nobody available, please try later or email us" on the phone, and no response to email. Grrr... can I risk driving lorries? Luckily I'm not financially dependent on it.