Proposal for over 65's to retake driving tests

Norman_Conquest

Norman_Conquest

Well-known member
I'm a big believer this should come in at some point but feel 65 is a little young and more of a money spinner than a true reason.

Older drivers might have to take their driving test again when they turn 65 if new rules come in. A petition on the Parliament website says that elderly drivers should show they can still drive safely.

The person who started the petition said: "I would like the Government to require drivers to retake their driving at 65, if they want their driving licence to remain valid. I travel a lot, and often see older drivers who I believe should not be driving. Some misuse turn signals, others appear to have sight issues."


They also mentioned: "Reactions also worsen with age." If 10,000 people sign the petition, the government will answer it.


www.gazettelive.co.uk

Older drivers could be forced to retake driving test under new proposals

Elderly drivers would have to prove they are safe to use the roads under new driving law plans outlined in a petition on the Parliament website
www.gazettelive.co.uk www.gazettelive.co.uk
 
This would be very simple to justify with statistics from insurers. I suspect it's a load of b***ks and it's a way to raise money and not much else.

I don't doubt they're is a point where older people become more dangerous, however insurers will know that and the government will know it too.
 
As a wrinkle I'd support this so long as it was coupled with a bike licence for everyone. Lessons, test, licence and if required, insurance
 
There is a very good reason why insurers favour older drivers. They have fewer accidents per mile driven than young drivers.

The worst driving I see on a daily basis is "on the school run" parents obviously running late because little Tarquin or Jemima couldn't be roused from bed and certainly couldn't be expected to run the gauntlet of predatory paedophiles lurking between their house and the school gates. I see aggressive and careless driving, parking that blocks driveways or obscures corners or simply stopping on the zig-zag lines outside the school to disgorge their little darlings as close as possible. Then we have the boy and girl racers of the recently qualified ilk.

Statistically, I believe that up to about the age of 75 drivers are pretty safe and very experienced. My late father drove safely into his 90s, doing very few miles and always outside rush hour. I followed him home after he picked his car up from the dealers after a service and watched his driving several times and although a little slow, he was "safe" and made no mistakes. I do think that anyone who has a blameworthy accident, is caught speeding or driving without due care should be required to re-take their test. Also, it should be expected that drivers should have regular eye tests and that failure to do so would lose the licence until such time as they had done so.
 
If eyesight is the major problem why not just ask everyone over 65 to have their eyes tested regularly and it be recorded on a database for Government officials to be able to access.

If say 8 million people need to take their test again who is going to provide the training and administer the tests?

You could also have sceanrio where people are asked to work to 70, but basically saying to some you are told old to drive which many wil need to do to get to work or to complete their job.

The insurance companies will have data on waht age groups have the poorest driving records. My guess is the average driver becomes more at risk when they are over 75.
 
It really can’t be a bad thing. Clearly some older people on the roads who are completely unsafe to be driving a car. It can only improve road safety, however some financial assistance must be given for any extra tests
 
I would love to know the stats for people who have to take multiple tests before passing. I would imagine that they are a higher risk than an older driver. If they are, there should either be a cap placed on the number of tests, or a higher standard that needs to be evidenced before being allowed on the road.
 
JM14 said:
It really can’t be a bad thing. Clearly some older people on the roads who are completely unsafe to be driving a car. It can only improve road safety, however some financial assistance must be given for any extra tests
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I would question the age not the reason behind it.
 
Just a little side rant:

We have one of the safest driver records in the World and we still get punished, high insurance premiums, cameras ready to fill the Governments piggy bank, potholes, and high car tax.
 
Matthew said:
If you look at accident statistics, then the logic is that the under 25's should be taking their driving test regularly. They are 4 times more likely to be involved in a fatal accident than any other age group.
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Or a less than powerful car for 2 years, tops 1.3 Ltr.
 
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