Should Drivers Over 70 Years Old Be Retested?

[sp1814]

This is a tragic case, which seems to have resulted in a very light sentence, but even so wouldn't introducing retests for drivers over 70 be a bit draconian?

Especially when you consider that most road deaths are caused by young male drivers, and in this case there was no evidence to suggest that the driver's age was a contributory factor in the accident.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-trending-34779388

Your thoughts?

[bhg481]

I can't see any reason why every driver shouldn't have to show an eye-test certificate (less than 2 years old?) every time they renew their driving licence. Since photo licences are renewed every 10 years and most people have these now, this would cover most drivers.

[netibiza]

We are over here in Spain. We have an eye test, a reaction test and a quick check up. Then licence for 4 years.

[Baldric]

No is my answer to your question and no way would sign a petition that puts all 70 year old and upwards drivers in the same bracket, there are bad drivers in all age groups.

[vulcan42]

I have been driving for over 50 years, I've had less accidents (two Minor) in that time then my neighbours 20 year old son has had in the past two years( two minor and one major, his car was written off). Age, indirectly, is a contributory factor because age equals experience. If 70+ need to have their eyesight/reactions tested then why shouldn't new drivers be tested for the first few years because being young doesn't automatically mean 20/20 vision or fast reactions.

[Davemano]

Whenever there is a fatal road accident involving an elderly driver, which contrary to what some may think, doesn't happen often, but when it does the media are always ready to suggest re-tests - as in this case, even though there is no evidence to show that age was a contributory factor. On this thread is a post which appears to convey that such incidents occur often, but if fatal and multiple accidents involving young were highlighted by the poster and the media, this thread would be endless, yet there is never a hue and cry for them to be re-tested. I suppose young driver accidents are happening so much that they are no longer newsworthy.

[jourdain2]

As has been said, it is always news - which doesn't happen with a younger driver. OH is 82 and probably a better driver than I or most of you, having driven professionally, been around cars most of his life, done hill-racing etc..

Age has nothing to do with it. In fact older drivers are more conscious of possible infirmity and tend to get regular eye tests and drive with more awareness of speed - it's called experience. No retests necessary.

[tearinghair]

I would have no objection to being tested. I'm 72 and have been wondering about the right time to give up. My eyesight is fine, and my reactions are quick; but I do have arthritis so that I try not to drive in the early mornings and after about 7pm when it's usually bad. It's a very hard decision to make, because I do need a car for certain things (no bus routes for some places that I need to go to), and I'd welcome a process which would tell me either that it's time to stop or OK to keep going. Then the decision would be made for me.

[gness]

I don't think anyone is saying older drivers are bad because they are getting on in years...but I'll bet we all know, or have known, someone who perhaps should consider giving up because of age.
Yes, young men have more accidents....there are more of them and some choose to drive recklessly.

Not a full driving test....but I don't think it would hurt us to have an independent assessment of our driving and eyesight at say seventy or seventy five.....

The elderly lady I encountered tonight could do with something I think.....

I spotted her as I waited at a T junction, despite her car having neither lights nor indicators as we approached the slip road for the A14.
I tooted and flashed my lights as I followed her.....and tooted and flashed...

She took not a bit of notice....though of course she could have been thinking.....
What the heck is that old dear behind doing....shouldn't be on the road...☺

[Davemano]

gness - don't you think the headline in the news/blogs as posted by the OP is suggesting that older drivers are bad - if not, what is it suggesting?

[SpikeyBush]

If the motor car was only invented today it would never become legal. So we are stuck with a tool legalised over a hundred years ago.

[Canary42]

Amazing how many people think this accident could be avoided by eye tests - do these people look at the pedals before deciding which is the accelerator and which is the brake ?

[gness]

Hi, Dave....I don't think it suggests all drivers over seventy are bad.....just that we need to be re-assessed to make sure we should be driving....and I think that is fair enough.

When we first learn to drive we take a test to assess our ability to drive....some pass first time...some fail because they don't come up to scratch....
Why not for folk who may have lost the ability to drive well and safely?
And believe me, some do!

Some of us....like my sister-in-law.....are really good elderly drivers....but some....like my late husband......become a danger on the roads....

I honestly don't think it would hurt for us to be re-assessed. I know I am a really good driver.....when I am seventy five I will still think I am a really good driver.....
But there should be, as I've said, an independent assessment of my driving to confirm my thoughts......☺

[gness]

Canary...you have reminded me of the father of a friend.....☺

She told me once that he'd clipped the wing mirror of every car in their street when driving her home...she was worried....
But not as worried as when he went the wrong way around a roundabout...☺ However....he had declared himself fit to drive as one can do......

She confiscated his car keys and there was merry hell....but shortly afterwards he was registered blind....x

[Davemano]

I personally believe that there was no need for the suggestion to be raised particularly when there was no evidence that age was a contributory factor. Re-test the drivers involved in these type of accidents by all means, but not confine it to just elderly drivers.
Just a small point - persons learning to drive these days are not being taught to drive, but how to pass a test - there is a huge difference.

[Mamyalynne]

Agreed - not just an age thing, I was put on the Partially sighted register in my mid 50s, no one has ever asked me if I hold a driving licence.

We need better awareness and education all round.

[gness]

Indeed they are taught to pass a test, Dave...I passed my test first time after six lessons...which is why I did the advanced driving course....I wanted to know how to drive well.

But I still think we should be tested, or probably re-assessed after....I would put it at seventy five....x

[Davemano]

Gness The main point I was getting at I posted 00.31 11.11 would this question have been raised had it not been an elderly driver - I would very much doubt it.

[gness]

You are correct, Dave...it wouldn't...but he was eighty five......and that could have contributed in this case...x

[CleeMan]

After my daughter's comment that all drivers over 70 should have to take a re-test, I, along with my OH, enroled on a 'mature driver's course' run by the local Road Safety Partnership, in conjunction with the local police authority.

I am happy to report that we were both assessed as 'low risk' drivers.

[gness]

Now that seems a perfect solution, Cleeman......x