Road Safety: Elderly Drivers

Motoring and road safety groups have called on the government to introduce medical check-ups and assessments of vision and dementia for motorists aged over 70 years. Drivers of pensionable age are the fastest growing group but they are becoming controversial in some quarters, but just how dangerous are they. Last year drivers over 70 years of Age who were involved in accidents amounted to 11,000, against 54,337 for drivers under the age of 24 years, so are older drivers being targeted unfairly?

Driving is more complex and demanding than it used to be with more traffic on the roads and new technology such as in-car navigation systems.  Factors dictating road risk can be said to be; hazard perception, speed choice, driving violation and fatigue, so irrespective of age we should all allow plenty of time to complete our journey and planning our route in advance. We should all expect the unexpected, be alert and anticipate situations that may present themselves ahead.

Published by admin on February 7th, 2008 in Road Safety, Hazard Perception Test