Should Older Drivers ‘MOT’ Themselves? Express Vehicle Contracts takes a look.
A motoring group is calling for drivers over 65 to consider regular assessments to stay safe on the road.
The Older Drivers Forum, which works with police forces across the UK, is encouraging older motorists to review their driving skills, eyesight, and medical conditions, following a rise in accidents involving elderly drivers.
Alarming Stats Behind the Call
Figures from the Department of Transport show a 45% rise since 2010 in the number of motorists over 70 killed or seriously injured. While older drivers are less likely to speed or drive recklessly, they are 38% more likely to miss hazards and 55% more likely to misjudge the speed or path of other vehicles.
Rob Heard, founder of the Older Drivers Forum, noted that while drivers over 70 account for only 11% of miles driven, they are involved in 23% of all road fatalities. This is not due to recklessness but the increased frailty of older drivers, making accidents more severe.
Police: Keep Driving but Stay Safe
In regions like Devon and Cornwall, with a high population of elderly drivers, police want to help them remain on the road safely for as long as possible. Sgt Owen Messenger stressed the importance of regular eyesight checks and consulting doctors about medication that might impair driving.
Currently, drivers over 70 must self-certify their fitness to drive every three years. However, the forum suggests going further by undertaking mature driver assessments and treating the process like an “MOT for yourself.”
Freedom and Responsibility
Many older drivers cherish the independence their cars provide. Sally Sedgman, in her 80s, said her car allowed her to live freely without relying on others, even if she limits longer journeys. Similarly, 75-year-old Geoff Trewella of the Cornwall County Car Club emphasized that responsible driving is about individual concentration, not age.
The Road Ahead
With the number of older drivers expected to treble in the next 20 years, the forum’s message is clear: regular checks can help older motorists stay safe, independent, and confident behind the wheel.
*Based on information sourced from the BBC (November 2024)
