Give us a call
Talk to a friendly
member of staff.
Single-Car Insurance
0844 543 4416MultiCar Insurance
0844 848 4316
Talk to a friendly
member of staff.
Single-Car Insurance
0844 543 4416MultiCar Insurance
0844 848 4316
 |
|
Search our archive of Motoring news.
Search our archive of Motoring
news by date.
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
You can subscribe to receive the latest motoring news from Admiral with RSS.
 |
 |
|
14/04/2010
Drivers aged 70 and above are among the safest on the road, according to the RAC Foundation.
And the motoring charity says that licensing of the oldest drivers should focus on self-regulation, rather than on re-testing or licence restrictions.
The organisation made the comments as it published a report; Maintaining safe mobility for the ageing population. It argues that most "senior car owners" self-regulate their driving, and do not drive in circumstances that make them feel uncomfortable.
It added that the 3.7 million drivers born before the Second World War have a better safety record than many young drivers, and that only those aged 80 or above or driving a very limited mileage present a higher accident risk.
The foundation's report closely echoes the findings of the Institute of Advanced Motorists, which three months ago published its own report finding the oldest drivers to be among the safest.
Under current laws, drivers must re-apply for a licence when they reach the age of 70 and every three years thereafter, self-certifying their fitness to stay on the roads.
However, road safety charity Brake recently called for more stringent health checks among all drivers - particularly those aged 70 or older - after a tragic accident in which a mother and her 18-month-old child were killed when a car mounted the pavement. The car's 89-year-old driver, who also died in the crash in Accrington, Lancashire, was thought to have become ill at the wheel.
The RAC Foundation called for changes to the road system to support older drivers, such as larger fonts on more simple signs. It also sees a case for more research to establish if "capability-based assessments", such as reaction time and vision tests, could be added to existing medical condition assessments.
"Licence renewal at 70 provides a useful prompt for drivers to consider their health and abilities in relation to driving," said the foundation's director, Professor Stephen Glaister, adding that the declaration of fitness to drive should be extended to all age groups at 10-year intervals.
"It is in everybody's interest to keep older people mobile for as long as they are safe to do so," he said.
"If driving is no longer appropriate or desirable, alternatives must be in place to allow people to retire from driving and still access the services they need for an active and healthy lifestyle."
© 2011 Admiral | Sitemap | Contact Us | Your Privacy and Security | Cookie Policy
