Older Drivers
Ten tips to help if you're worried about an older driver
Three-quarters of men in their 70s now hold a driving licence, 50 per cent up on 20 years ago, new figures show. And within another 20 years, 90 per cent of men aged over 70 will still be behind the wheel. To help better understand this growing area of British motoring, AA Public Affairs have produced the following 10-point guide and fact sheet for anyone concerned about an ageing driver.
Age has many and varied effects
- Everyone ages differently – there is no safe or unsafe age for a driver. Both physical and mental conditions can take their toll.
- Older people are more frail and more likely to suffer serious injury in accidents – they should always wear seat belts and use safety features in their car. Frailty also makes it hard to establish the risks posed by older drivers – it is likely that their casualty figures are higher because of their frailty – not because they are worse drivers.
- Older people are more susceptible to fatigue – and need to avoid long journeys, especially after meals or alcohol.
There are legal obligations on older drivers
- It is a driver's responsibility to ensure fitness to drive. They must advise DVLA at Swansea of medical conditions that will affect their driving. Doctors should say when a patient needs to do this, but it is wise to ask "will this affect my driving?" whenever a new condition is diagnosed, or treatment given. Dementia poses particular problems. Drivers also have to ensure they meet the eyesight requirement – best done by having regular eye tests.
- Drivers over 70 have to reapply for their licence every three years – there is no test or medical, but a medical declaration has to be submitted. The contents of this declaration may lead to DVLA making further investigations.
Planning holds the key to safety and mobility
- Many older drivers restrict themselves in how and where they drive – this self restriction is a sign of responsibility, not one of ineptitude, and should be encouraged. There are many sorts of restriction that are used:
- Stopping the types of driving that cause anxiety – like driving in the dark, driving on fast roads or in busy town centres. Similarly driving in bad weather or for long distances can be cut out, increasing safety and comfort.
- Danger spots need extra care and can be avoided. Research shows that older drivers have particular problems making right turns at junctions and where traffic can be coming from behind, and where they have to start from rest. Joining at slip roads is also difficult. Extra care can be taken at these places, and some routes can be changed to avoid this sort of manoeuvre.
- Long trips and high-mileage days can be avoided. Older drivers may have to stay the night when younger people would be able to complete the round trip in a day.
- The right choice of car can help greatly – larger mirrors and bigger windows help all round vision while bigger doors and higher seats can all help getting in and out.
- If you've got a licence and are fit to drive, keep driving – many people (especially women) become over dependent on their partner's driving. It is very hard to take up driving again after several years off, as traffic conditions change. It is best to stay in practice on the roads you frequently use.
- Planning for the future is vital – older drivers need to plan for the day they have to give up. How will they shop and live their daily lives? Decisions made at the time of retirement – for example choosing to live in the country – can have a huge effect if driving has to stop.
Listen to other people
- A second opinion can help – you may wish to check what your older driver's neighbours or friends think – do they feel safe if they have a lift? Would they take a lift? Does the driver seem in control when reversing or manoeuvring? In some areas there are local authority schemes that use driving instructors to assess older drivers. Mobility Centres can also help. If an assessment is used, make sure that they are assessed mainly on the sort of roads that they use. If the car is used only for local daytime journeys, it is pointless establishing that their night time or motorway driving is below par. The assessment should be on the roads that they use.
Facts about older drivers
- In 1971 13 per cent of the population were over 65 and 7 per cent of those were over 85. By 2006 16 per cent were over 65 and 12 per cent of these over 85. And the population had grown. This coupled with the fact that the proportion of older people with driving licences has risen from 15 per cent to 50 per cent means there are many, many more older drivers. And the number will continue to rise.
- One in 55 casualties among pedestrians in their 20s is fatal. This rises to one in 10 among the over 80s. The same applies to drivers rising from 1 in 99 to 1 in 27. The main cause of this is frailty.
- Drivers over 80 are two and a half times as likely to be killed in a collision as drivers in their forties, yet they are less likely to be seriously injured.
- Older driver deaths and serious injuries are in decline – but not as much as all casualties. This is probably due to the number of older drivers increasing steadily as the population ages.
- Drivers over 70 are as safe as drivers of 25, while drivers over 80 are less safe, but still safer than drivers in their teens.
- More than 50 per cent of drivers over 75 say that they leave longer following distances, are more cautious, and avoid heavy traffic and long trips than they did when they were 50. Significant proportions also avoid night driving, motorways and drive slower.
- The problems faced by older drivers are also faced by older pedestrians. In 2005 220 pedestrians over 70 were killed crossing the road, against 71 child pedestrians. Getting older drivers out of cars does not ensure their safety on the road.
- While there are some older drivers who have accidents driving when they shouldn't for medical reasons, they are involved in very few drink-drive or single vehicle accidents which are much more likely among younger people.
October 2007