New research from breakdown cover company and road safety organisation, GEM Motoring Assist, has looked into the main risks posed by Britain’s ageing driving population.
The recent study, carried out by the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety (PACTS) and sponsored by GEM, has made clear the present and future trends that will affect older UK drivers.
The research revealed that the number of British drivers aged 70 or more has risen considerably in recent years. Specifically, the number of 70+ licence holders has risen from 15% in 1975 to nearly 60% in 2010.
In addition, the PACTS report forecasts that the 80% of current 60-69 year old motorists will continue to drive for the next two decades.
Ageing drivers and road safety
CEO of GEM Motoring Assist, David Williams MBE, stated that with statistics indicating that the population of older drivers is continuing to grow, it is more crucial than ever to ensure road safety is a priority.
"This report is not, by any means, condemning older drivers; it is about helping older people make better, safer and well-informed choices. Statistics still show that older drivers cause fewer accidents than younger drivers, so it is not about taking licenses away at a certain age, it is about giving older drivers the tools to make the right decision," he said.
The report called on the British Government to take measures to address this issue. This included recommendations such as offering motoring courses designed for older road users and improving procedures within the medical profession to assess both physical and mental fitness for driving.
"Good eyesight is one of the most integral parts of being a capable driver, and we believe that by having a mandatory eyesight test when you renew your license every 10 years, this will help us discover more effectively who has the ability to drive and who does not," added Williams.
