Age is a grey area

Judith Edwards • Published 19 Mar 2010 15:00

According to an IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists) online poll 73% of people would report an older person if they were worried about their driving capabilities.

The poll of 1,628 IAM members and non-members also found that 68 per cent believed mandatory re-testing of drivers over the age of 70 would benefit road safety. Conversely, 77 per cent thought that young drivers presented a greater risk to road safety than older drivers.

Neil Greig, IAM Director of Policy and Research, said: "It is good news that most drivers are aware that young drivers are the demographic most in need of help, but worrying that the mandatory retest has a fairly high level of support - one in four polled agreed strongly that a retest at 70 would benefit road safety.

"The IAM believes we need to reassure the public that older drivers do not represent a disproportionate risk. Eight per cent of drivers are over 70 and they are involved in around four per cent of injury crashes. But 15 per cent of drivers are in their teens and 20s and they are involved in 34 per cent of injury crashes - a far higher number."

The IAM recommends offering driver assessments so that the public and the authorities can report their concerns and know that they will be addressed. Advice and assessment can counteract the deterioration of some driving skills and means that we don't have to take licenses away from perfectly safe older drivers.

"Retesting at 70 would be a mammoth administrative task with little road safety benefit and the Government and safety bodies must work together to communicate the facts about older drivers more widely," said Mr Greig.

Some local authorities offer driving assessments for older drivers, but they are not widely available. The DSA (Driving Standards Agency) has a Classic Driver presentation. The IAM offers its own in-car assessment, called DriveCheck 55, which is available nationwide.

To help better understand this area of British motoring, the AA has produced a 10-point guide and fact sheet for anyone concerned about an ageing driver.

Currently, 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. In the past 20 years there has been a big rise in the number of female drivers in their 70s and by 2026, nearly 80 per cent of women aged over 70 will be driving licence holders. According to the AA, the perception that the growing population of elderly drivers is becoming an increasing nuisance collides with statistics that indicate otherwise. These include:

❍ Drivers aged over 70 are as safe as drivers aged 25 and drivers aged over 80, although becoming less capable, still have a better record than those in their teens;

❍ As for being a nuisance on UK roads, a National Travel Survey revealed that drivers in their 70s average trips of no more than five miles - almost half that of motorists in their 40s;

❍ Older drivers are involved in very few drink-drive or single vehicle accidents. These are much more likely to occur among younger drivers;

❍ More than half of drivers over 75 say they leave longer following distances, are more cautious, and avoid heavy traffic and long trips than they did when they were 50. Many limit themselves to where they feel safe.

"The rising number of older drivers reflects the post-war increase in driving tests. It has been a major factor in the creation of the highly mobile society we live in today, and leaves many older people needing a car to maintain their lifestyle - shopping, visiting friends and family, and even going to the doctors," says Andrew Howard, head of road safety for AA Public Affairs.

"The AA guide aims to provide basic pointers for anyone concerned about an older driver. It also helps to provide a better understanding of the facts and features of driving for the aged, and hopefully dispels many of the prejudices held by some intolerant motorists."

www.theaa.com/public_affairs/reports/older.drivers

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