Over 70s driving tests

[Tak]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/h...re/7872724.stm

"We believe that every driver over the age of 70 should have to sit a hazard perception test and medical, to prove their competence to drive on our roads."

To be honest I am surprised something like this isn't already in force.
Whilst I know of some elderly people who are still able to drive, I have seen visitors here at work who look so ill/unsteady/absent minded they could be admitted themselves and then they totter off and get in a car.

[Burble]

I'm all for it. Whilst I'm sure there are plenty of > 70's that are safe to be on the road there are a hell of a lot that should not be behind the wheel.

[Mark]

My Grandfather was driving into his late 60s/early 70s, but he recognised when it was time to hang up the keys (mainly due to hip problems) and stopped. A lot of older people don't and just keep on going until something stops them - all too often an accident.

[Fayshun]

My mum banned my dad (82 this year) from driving about 9 years ago after he had a TIA which knackered one of his legs a bit.

He did say years ago that he would pack up driving when he thought he was too old

[cleanbluesky]

Luckily policy on the matter isnt decided on the whims of the prejudiced - a person can make driving errors at any age.

[iCraig]

Originally Posted by cleanbluesky

Luckily policy on the matter isnt decided on the whims of the prejudiced - a person can make driving errors at any age.

This is true, but we don't have the luxury of a case-by-case evaluation of every driver in Britain. So, you simply do the "best fit" and establish a re-test on those who are more likely to be below the standard at that point.

It's a sad but true fact of life that as you get older, your reactions slow down and you become less in control of a vehicle. I can't really see a frail 86yr old woman controlling a blow-out on a motorway, can you? Plus, as Blackstar says those approaching that re-rest criteria should be eligible anyway, everything else aside, they passed the standard that was set a long time ago. The roads have changed dramatically since then and it's scary how many still abide by the test standards of the 30s and 40s rather than the modern highway code. "I don't bother with all those lanes. You just go where you want to go and stay out of everyone elses way and it's fine" Is an actual quote.

[cleanbluesky]

Originally Posted by iCraig

This is true, but we don't have the luxury of a case-by-case evaluation of every driver in Britain. So, you simply do the "best fit" and establish a re-test on those who are more likely to be below the standard at that point.

It's a sad but true fact of life that as you get older, your reactions slow down and you become less in control of a vehicle. I can't really see a frail 86yr old woman controlling a blow-out on a motorway, can you?

I couldn't see any frail person, regardless of age having a good chance in that situation and I doubt that either of us could be certain to handle it.

Also, blow-outs aren't on the driving test curriculum.

I don't think age is the predictor of whether a person will be more likely to be unsuitable for driving, I think overall mental and physical health is - and no-one have managed to argue the case without the assumption that old people just get crap at everything eventually (right guys?).

Also, suggesting age is a valid criteria for re-test would be a departure from other policies of the DVLA, most of which expect self-reporting - eyesight, disability etc. etc.

[A Place of Light]

Originally Posted by cleanbluesky

Also, suggesting age is a valid criteria for re-test would be a departure from other policies of the DVLA, most of which expect self-reporting - eyesight, disability etc. etc.

Exactly, as there is no fixed age where one tends to lose our faculties/awareness. It doesn't just happen, it's gradual and comes in at different points in our lifespan depending on the individual.
Re-assess everyone every five years or so.
A far more effective solution IMHO.

[iCraig]

Originally Posted by cleanbluesky

I couldn't see any frail person, regardless of age having a good chance in that situation and I doubt that either of us could be certain to handle it.

Well people who are so frail that they don't have proper control of a vehicle, shouldn't have a license. Whether you're too old, or you're physically handicapped in a way where your strength is very much degraded. It's not prejudiced, it's common sense. You don't put a lump of metal weighing several tons, at 70mph in the control of somebody, who if challenged beyond the normal realms of control, will lose control and risk lives. Where a person with normal strength would cope? Yes I've had a blowout, with my first car. It wasn't very nice and it does make you think that the world is ending for those few seconds. I can also appreciate others sentiment about the fact older people may struggle. It doesn't require constantly applied pressure to the steering wheel to keep the car relatively steady.

Originally Posted by cleanbluesky

Also, blow-outs aren't on the driving test curriculum.

So? Does that mean it doesn't matter? They happen. Drivers should be at least physically capable of dealing with them. I'm not saying drivers should be ready to dodge debris from a tornado, but a tyre blowing isn't exactly a freak of nature event for our roads is it? For what it's worth I think the cirriculum should extend to motorway driving. It's a significant portion of typical driving, and you should be tested on your ability to use them.

Originally Posted by cleanbluesky

I don't think age is the predictor of whether a person will be more likely to be unsuitable for driving, I think overall mental and physical health is

... urm, which typically decline with age.

Originally Posted by cleanbluesky

- and no-one have managed to argue the case without the assumption that old people just get crap at everything eventually (right guys?).

So you think old people stay just as mentally and physically competenant as the youngsters? I'm not saying when you hit 65, *bam* you're an invalid, but it's just simple biology. Your hearing typically begins to fail, eyesight, reaction time, decision making it all begins to decline with age. Along with physical strength. They need aids to help them walk straight. If they fall, they need help getting up. Yet some of these people are still trusted with a car. The retests would weed these out. In the cases where the person has aged well, and is still safe to drive, well then the retest will recognise that and their license is kept. Obviously, the retest in question would need to engineered carefully to respect the person's original license as much as possible. Perhaps testing on things that nerves don't have such a stranglehold over. It would be difficult though, just because an old man is terrified he's going to lose his license has a really crap test due to nerves, and not neccessarily incompetance, doesn't mean his license should be revoked.

Originally Posted by cleanbluesky

Also, suggesting age is a valid criteria for re-test would be a departure from other policies of the DVLA, most of which expect self-reporting - eyesight, disability etc. etc.

Why do you think they currently rely on humility of the driver to hold their hand up and admit they can't safely drive anymore? The DVLA sure as hell don't rely on us to keep on top of our tax discs. Otherwise they wouldn't send out ANPR vans checking up on us all would they? It's because in the current system they don't have the ability to call drivers back and keep on top of their health on a case by case basis. For whatever reason. Whether it's legislation/law they need, or a more efficient system to cope with the torrent of retest applicants that would flood into their test centres all over the country.

[Mark]

It isn't about prejudice, it's about common sense.

It's a fact that accidents are more likely in two circumstances - (a) new, inexperienced, drivers (already covered by legislation), and (b) older drivers lack of concentration/ability.