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?

[gness]

Isn't this a difficult one, Sp?

I am sixty five....an advanced driver and think I still drive very well.....

I have friends in their seventies who would say the same.....yet I don't think they are as alert as they once were.
Friends I was once comfortable and relaxed with as a passenger seem slower to react and I find myself holding my breath and braking......
Of course this could just be me....and not their driving?

MrG was a good driver til he became ill and, in his late sixties, his driving scared the life out of me......
I made him stop driving.....it caused unpleasantness but it was necessary.

I have told both my children to tell me the minute they think I'm not as safe on the roads as I was......and honestly....I'd be happy to be retested from the age of seventy......

Still does nothing about the young male drivers though, does it?.......x

[douglas9401]

My first thought is that your comments after the question seem to argue against giving the impression that you doubt yourself and should maybe not have asked in the first place.

My answer is no.

[gness]

May I ask why you say no, Douglas?

[Davemano]

Whilst you have to have sympathy for Mr Brooks-Dutton, there was no evidence to suggest that age was a contributory factor so why call for over 70s to be re-tested. Would he be canvassing for the driving age to be increased had it been a young male driver instead of someone elderly. . ,

[douglas9401]

Of course you may, gness.

[gness]

I was truly interested in your view, Douglas because it differed to mine.

[Canary42]

I am 73 and consider myself to be far less dangerous on the roads than when I was in my Twenties.

Then I was arrogant and knew it all - and would have rushed to sign such a petition. I suspect that the vast majority of the signatories are under 30.

Now I'm wiser and adjust my driving to road conditions, weather, and my own capabilities.

[douglas9401]

If there was a pressing need for retesting it would have been brought forward years ago by modern, thrusting young things who start there sentences with 'so' (automatically barring them from any further input).
A single road traffic incident is no way to bring forward law to interfere in the lives of blameless citizens.
In these cash-strapped times it would add another expense for government so by default, the drivers would be billed at a level which made a profit for HMG so in effect another tax.
I'm about to go off on one about state interference where it's easy but not when it might be sensitive, like slobby giro monkeys with pretend walking sticks lifting hundreds a fortnight because they can't be challenged so all are tarred with that unfair brush so I'll stop now.

[baza]

Under 25's should not be allowed out driving on their own after dark. Keep them away from my rear bumper.
Seriously though it is a tough one to call, some over 70's driver better than others, our local hospital is off a dual carriageway, and the fun you can have watching Nissan Micra's trying to enter the car park well....

[ToraToraTora]

No, most people would not pass a driving test today. Tragic accident, this particular issue does seem to happen with older drivers but I don't think a test is the answer.

[Mosaic]

The problem is, enough blistering idiots of much younger ages have driving licences.
And if public transport was universally safe and regular, many (me included) wouldn't think twice about ditching the car.
Inevitably your reactions slow down with age - but nobody would choose to be housebound and isolated - so unless it's tempting to do otherwise, people will continue to drive into later years.

[lindapalmara]

There is a case for testing older drivers but if they do they must install 'black boxes' in any car driven by an under 25. My 72 year old husband is the safest driver I have ever been in a car with but after being driven my my son and son in laws I have to lie down!! Not so much bad drivers as fast drivers with only one hand on the wheel!!

[joeluke]

Should Drivers Over 70 Years Old Be Retested?
Yes, annually. Eyesight, reaction times, general awareness etc

85-years-old and 'mistook the accelerator for the brake' - says it all really

Shouldn't have been on the road


Another recent example

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/road-and-rail-transport/11950644/Car-driven-by-92-year-old-mows-down-6-adults-and-2-children.html



'mistook the accelerator for the brake'

[sp1814]

joeluke

In fairness, when I got my first car I let a mate of mine drive it around a private road on our estate, and she did exactly same thing (mistook the accelerator for the brake). But I suppose in her case it was her lack of driving experience that was at fault.

Something that I didn't appreciate as we went hurtling towards a beech tree.

[sp1814]

douglas9401

I've read your comment from 00:23, and am not quite sure what you mean. But to clarify - I don't think that triennial retests are the way to go.

[EDDIE51]

Not retested but they should not be able to just self certify that they still meet the eyesight standards. They should have to get an opticians/doctors certificate that their sight is up to the standard.

[Old_Geezer]

Well clearly only folk of my age have both the experience and alertness needed to drive; so I think only those 5 years younger and older than I am at any time should be allowed to just continue. Those older and younger than the range will need to get the necessary certificates each year to certify they are up to it.

[SlackAlice]

I'm generally in agreement with Eddie51 for no re-test but a Medical should be mandatory.

I'd even go further and state anyone over the age of 60 should have an opticians/doctors certificate to confirm their eyesight covers the minimum eyesight requirements. I also believe in a need for the minimum eyesight requirements to be raised for all drivers.

[Old_Geezer]

I doubt that the eyesight test needs to be stricter. It's metal issues that lose concentration or which misses what one isn't expecting to see, and that's just human nature (and human nature should be taken into consideration when deciding who should be allowed to risk their lives on the road). Anyone with inadequate eyesight ought to be having test each year anyway. Maybe more would if they were free and the NHS paid for the glasses.

[Milvus]

I think it would be a good idea to be retested at 70 and at periods after that. It is difficult to be truly objective about changes in your own performance so self-certification can be meaningless. I can’t see what the objection to retests would be. Surely it could only be a good thing to be tested and recertified, unless, of course, you are already covering up your own inabilities when you self-certify