Road safety for older drivers
We hear constant reports that young male drivers cause the majority of car accidents. However, drivers over 75 years old are fast
approaching similar road accident rates since elderly drivers are
involved in more car collisions than any other age group.
Unfortunately, elderly drivers are more likely to suffer from severe shock, confusion, and serious personal injuries that are often fatal. What’s worse is that
the number of elderly drivers on the British roads is increasing by 1.5% every year, further increasing the road accident risk.
To ensure safe driving it is essential that our physical and cognitive functions are in good working
order. Eye sight, hearing, physical strength, mobility and reaction times all deteriorate as we age and these can
potentially cause road accidents.
Many older drivers are more adept at handling their vehicle and are more experienced as drivers. But,
just because they have never been involved in a car accident does not mean that they never will be. In fact, it is very important to be more aware of the
road accident hazards and accept your personal limitations as an
older driver.
Personal health deteriorations that older drivers may experience
Eye sight
Around 90% of information needed for safe driving comes from what we see around us. However, our eyesight often
deteriorates greatly with age making driving more hazardous:
- Speed and distance - it is very difficult for elderly drivers to judge the speed and distance
of other vehicles on the road, meaning they may get too close to other vehicles or pull out in front of a speeding
car and cause a car crash.
- Bright lights - driving in sunny weather may have its delights but it can be dangerous for
older drivers. Also, other drivers with their lights on at full beam can cause problems. It takes much longer for an
older driver to recover from sun or headlight glare than it does a young driver, making road traffic accidents as a result of light glare more
likely for elderly drivers.
- Colour change - it may be more difficult for older drivers to distinguish when traffic lights
and brake lights change colour, giving them less time to stop safely. This is another huge road accident hazard.
It is important to get regular eye tests and wear glasses if prescribed for driving; you must be able
to read a number plate from 20.5m (67 feet) away. Avoid driving at times when the light can affect your driving such as at
night-time when vision is restricted and there is more chance of suffering from headlamp glare.
Hearing problems
- Deafness - the inability to identify which direction an emergency vehicle is coming from by the
sound of its siren could cause you to pull out in front, resulting in a tragic road traffic accident.
It will help if you keep an eye out for flashing lights, making thorough use of your mirrors to
compensate for any hearing problems.
Physical problems
- Limited mobility and stiff muscles - It may be difficult for older drivers to turn their heads in
order to see the state of the road at junctions and when performing manoeuvres such as reverse parking or a turn in a
road. This could result in smashing into a parked or oncoming car, causing a vehicle accident.
- Weak muscles - these can inhibit the ability to steer accurately or break quickly in the event of a
road accident.
Make sure that you exercise regularly to keep your general fitness levels up. You could practice gentle
neck exercises to avoid getting stiff while in traffic jams. You could also try switching to an automatic vehicle with
power steering and power-assisted brakes to make driving easier. But, make sure that you seek assistance from a driving
instructor before attempting to drive the new car.
Reaction time
- Slow responses - when another driver makes an emergency stop it is likely that
older drivers with slower reactions will crash into the back of them.
This is difficult to overcome but making driving easier for yourself such as planning your journey and
sticking to quieter more familiar routes can evade the risk of road
accidents.
Advice for older drivers in order to avoid road accidents
-
Advanced driving - Some driving schools offer advanced driving training or
‘Safer Driving Over Sixty-Five’ courses. This is not like retaking your test it is just a helping hand to
see you through driving safely as you get older. This will increase your confidence on the road, refresh your knowledge
and decrease your chances of causing a car crash.
- Look after your health - make sure that you are tested regularly for sight and hearing
deficiencies and maintain a good fitness level. If you suspect any health problems acknowledge the problem then visit
a doctor and consider whether it is going to affect your driving proficiency. You should also inform the DVLA of any
serious health problems that could affect your driving. Remember it is much better to be safe than sorry.
- Be aware - always be very aware of other motorists around you when driving. Use your mirrors,
and keep your eyes on the road. Do not let other stimulus such as a chatting passenger distract you. Keep a safe
distance from other vehicles and be prepared to stop quickly in the event of a road accident.
- Listen to others - if friends and family raise any concerns about your driving abilities then
think about what they say rather than just dismissing it. They care about your safety and could not bear for you to
suffer personal injuries or worse as a result of a road
traffic accident. We know that giving up driving can be difficult but it is a serious safety based decision that
must be made
Your driving licence must be renewed by law when you reach 70 years old, and then every three years
that follow. However, there is no current law that stipulates you must stop driving after a certain age, so it is up to
you. We know that you have more experience on the roads and that many older people are very good drivers but it is possible
to overestimate your driving ability and it is important to be aware of the limitations that age can bring. The body
deteriorates with age affecting our vision, hearing, physical and judgement capabilities. With an awareness of personal
limitations and a more open minded safer approach to driving it may be possible for older drivers to decrease their chances
of being involved in a road accident.
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