Admiral logoRussian Dolls top banner

MultiCar Insurance

Combine cars on
one policy for
MultiCar discounts.

Start a quote

Find out more

Retrieve a quote

Single-Car Insurance

Great value car insurance
quotes crammed with plenty
of features.

Start a quote

Find out more

Retrieve a quote

Give us a call

Talk to a friendly
member of staff.

Single-Car Insurance

0844 543 4416

MultiCar Insurance

0844 848 4316

Back to Motoring news

Motoring news

Safety charity calls for older driver rule change

12/02/2010

Road safety charity Brake has called for more rigorous health assessments for older drivers, in the wake of a tragic accident earlier this week.

In Tuesday's incident, an 18-month-old child was killed when a car driven by 89-year-old Ernest Wray mounted the pavement and collided with the toddler and his mother, who remains critically ill in hospital. Mr Wray also died in the accident in Accrington, Lancashire.

While the cause of the crash is not yet known, police believe that Mr Wray may have become ill while driving, possibly suffering a heart attack. An inquest into his death was due to be opened today.

Brake's deputy chief executive, Cathy Keeler, said that current laws - which require motorists over 70 years old to self-certify their fitness to drive every three years - were not good enough.

Instead, she proposed an annual "fit to drive" health check to be carried out by a professional, adding that the checks should be mandated every five years for drivers under the age of 70. Keeler also called for a Government consultation on imposing a maximum driving age and a regular re-test.

"More frequent checks are needed for older drivers as there are known health risks associated with aging that directly affect driving ability, including loss of eyesight and hearing," she added.

"Older drivers may also have health conditions or take medication that can impair driving. Drivers who have a high risk of heart attack or fainting fits must not be allowed behind the wheel."

However, the charity's views contrast with those of the Institute of Advanced Motoring (IAM), which last month pointed out that older motorists were among the safest - though it suggested the introduction of flexible licensing terms for aging drivers, which could restrict their road usage.

Speaking at the time, IAM director of policy and research Neil Greig said: "Rather than seeking to prevent older people from driving, we need to make them aware of the risks they face, and offer them driving assessments to help them cope with these risks."