Mandatory eye tests for drivers over 70 being proposed by HMG. Good or bad?

[otherclive]

My point is,there are more deaths caused by other age bracket drivers, than the over 70’s who generally drive with more caution.

Could it be a way to protect older drivers from themselves as it’s an acknowledged fact that eyesight and other aspects deteriorate with time, with a significant increase in KSI accidents above the threshold of 70. Many older drivers don’t recognise this or want to ignore it. Also the number of older drivers is predicted to rise further until the demographic turns down in later years. So introducing a mandatory eyesight test for over 70s is no bad thing. This ROSPA report is a interesting read.

https://www.rospa.com/siteassets/images/road-safety/road-safety-projects/road-safety-observatory/drivers-older-drivers.pdf

 

[birdman101]

I think most of us over 70 have more common sense. I am over 80 and I will stop driving before having to be told to. 3 of my neighbours have stopped driving in the last 6 months all when reaching 85,and still having good eyesight. They have all said that at reaching 85 with accident free driving history,they would not renew another license for another 3 years.

 

[Buckman]

A very good British born friend is thinking of returning to the UK and was asking about his driving licence. He got his original British driving licence way back in the sixties, but as he was living in South Africa he now has a SA driving licence. However could be interesting when he applies for insurance and they ask when he got his UK driving licence!

In SA at age 75 you need to apply for renewal and then it is every 5 years. However when applying for the renewal you need to have a medical check up and a note from the doctor stating you are okay to drive.

Thanks to this thread I have been able to give him some very relevant information as he is over 75.

 

[otherclive]

I think most of us over 70 have more common sense. I am over 80 and I will stop driving before having to be told to. 3 of my neighbours have stopped driving in the last 6 months all when reaching 85,and still having good eyesight. They have all said that at reaching 85 with accident free driving history,they would not renew another license for another 3 years.

I think that despite your friends and neighbours responsible attitude it still doesn’t address the statistics, and if over 70s were so good why does insurance rise?

 

[birdman101]

Several UK insurers used to have an age limit of 80 for New business, but have taken this limit off recently. My next door but one neighbour, is still driving Dailey aged 91 and only needs glasses for reading.

 

[birdman101]

I think that despite your friends and neighbours responsible attitude it still doesn’t address the statistics, and if over 70s were so good why does insurance rise?

My insurance has risen hardly at all for a few years,in fact some it has decreased. The only time any significant increase has been when buying a new car of higher value which has to be expected,

 

[otherclive]

Several UK insurers used to have an age limit of 80 for New business, but have taken this limit off recently. My next door but one neighbour, is still driving Dailey aged 91 and only needs glasses for reading.

My father drove till 95 but his ability was woeful. During an unplanned stay in hospital I sent his licence in to DVLA when he went in to hospital as I knew he should not be driving thereafter.

 

[birdman101]

My father drove till 95 but his ability was woeful. During an unplanned stay in hospital I sent his licence in to DVLA when he went in to hospital as I knew he should not be driving thereafter.

Should then not of told him then sooner

 

[otherclive]

Should then not of told him then sooner

I did not tell him when I sent his licence in to DVLA, but of course I had discussed it with him before times and also with his GP too. But he continued to meet the basic eyesight requirements and had no other reportable conditions.

 

[toad a caravan]

Why is it possible to retain a license after collecting over the prescribed points,to obtain the points necessary to be banned,or would such a person still be categorised as safe and fit in spite of there inability to conform to the law

 

[Buckman]

I think most of us over 70 have more common sense. I am over 80 and I will stop driving before having to be told to. 3 of my neighbours have stopped driving in the last 6 months all when reaching 85,and still having good eyesight. They have all said that at reaching 85 with accident free driving history,they would not renew another license for another 3 years.

As we have a very limited bus service i.e. one in the morning and one in the evening we need a car. Our nearest pub is nearly 1.5 miles away and shop just over 2 miles away. Still another 9 years before I reach 85 and things could change by then.

 

[otherclive]

As we have a very limited bus service i.e. one in the morning and one in the evening we need a car. Our nearest pub is nearly 1.5 miles away and shop just over 2 miles away. Still another 9 years before I reach 85 and things could change by then.

One reason why we moved in 2019 to a location close to family, health center/dental , businesses and transport links. Most within 15-20 minutes walk and mostly with pavement drops to help mobility scooters too.

 

[Dustydog]

Could it be a way to protect older drivers from themselves as it’s an acknowledged fact that eyesight and other aspects deteriorate with time, with a significant increase in KSI accidents above the threshold of 70. Many older drivers don’t recognise this or want to ignore it. Also the number of older drivers is predicted to rise further until the demographic turns down in later years. So introducing a mandatory eyesight test for over 70s is no bad thing. This ROSPA report is a interesting read.

https://www.rospa.com/siteassets/images/road-safety/road-safety-projects/road-safety-observatory/drivers-older-drivers.pdf

Interesting link Clive.
This one from HMG is also worth a read. See 3.1 in particular with the graph.

Reported road casualties in Great Britain: older driver factsheet, 2023

www.gov.uk

How many times have you heard “I’ve never had an accident in 50 years”! Probably caused a few 🙀.

What do you guys think of the HMG statistic

 

[RogerL]

Interesting link Clive.
This one from HMG is also worth a read. See 3.1 in particular with the graph.

Reported road casualties in Great Britain: older driver factsheet, 2023

www.gov.uk

How many times have you heard “I’ve never had an accident in 50 years”! Probably caused a few 🙀.

What do you guys think of the HMG statistic

Those HMG statistics are skewed by the same issue which shows that motorways are the safest road - the figures are rates per billion miles travelled - because those over retirement age travel fewer miles annually (no travel to work) the Killed or Seriously Injured (KSI) rate per billion miles goes up.

 

[otherclive]

Interesting link Clive.
This one from HMG is also worth a read. See 3.1 in particular with the graph.

Reported road casualties in Great Britain: older driver factsheet, 2023

www.gov.uk

How many times have you heard “I’ve never had an accident in 50 years”! Probably caused a few 🙀.

What do you guys think of the HMG statistic

I think the statistics are pretty indisputable although older drivers can compensate by daytime driving, slower speeds, familiar routes and other aspects I fully support the introduction of eyesight testing as one step towards the safety of older drivers, their passengers and other road users. I cannot see what the objection can be. The dilemma for the DVLA is what are the testing and acceptance standards. But a good starting point would be the existing standard as mandatory testing would certainly sweep up those who don’t bother with tests and get the system up and running.
The Rospa report in my post above gives a more nuanced approach to older driver accident rates than HMG reports.

This isn’t discriminatory wrt older drivers, but how to handle young males is also a challenge as their brains mature more slowly than equivalent females and the difference is what makes them take more risk. I suggest most of us have been there.