Older Drivers Facing Compulsory Fitness Tests
Felix Reeves
October 26, 2024
Elderly drivers facing compulsory fitness tests before renewing licence could see 'whole generation cut off'
Reporting for GB News Felix Reeves writes that experts are calling on elderly drivers to ensure they tell the DVLA about important medical conditions or they could be forced off the road following calls for older people to face fitness tests. There have been growing calls for elderly motorists to face fitness tests and health check-ups when applying to renew their driving licences, which are not currently in action.
When someone reaches the age of 70, they are required to renew their licence as standard, although they will need to do so every three years, rather than every 10 years for younger motorists.
Elderly drivers have come under increased scrutiny in recent weeks following the fatal incident involving 91-year-old Edith Duncan killing three-year-old Xander Irvine.
Sheriff Principal Nigel Ross published a report at a fatal accident inquiry saying that the regime of self-certification of fitness for drivers over the age of 70 was "significantly defective". Duncan had age-related frontotemporal dementia which impacted her condition. The report stated that her licence would have been revoked since she was unfit to be behind the wheel.
Sheriff Principal Ross suggested that any application for renewal by a driver aged 80 or older should not be granted unless the applicant driver has successfully undertaken a "short initial cognitive assessment".
A spokesperson for the DVLA said: "Road safety is our absolute priority and we are carefully considering the sheriff’s recommendations.
"All drivers must ensure that they meet the medical standards for driving and notify us of the onset or worsening of a medical condition affecting their ability to drive."
Craig Delahaye, Associate Director of Legal Operations at National Accident Helpline, said that many older motorists would not be aware that they shouldn't be driving. He noted that this is why drivers need to alert the DVLA of their medical conditions if it could potentially affect their ability behind the wheel.
He said it was "important" for motorists to inform the DVLA after reading the list of applicable conditions on the Government website. Drivers are advised to inform the DVLA about medical conditions or disabilities including diabetes or taking insulin, syncope (fainting), heart conditions (including pacemakers), sleep apnoea, epilepsy, strokes and glaucoma.
Delahaye added: "Of course, each situation is a case-by-case basis, with precautions that all drivers, regardless of age can take before getting behind the wheel.
"However, it would be a shame to see a whole generation cut off from their relied-upon mode of transport, just because of their age. Instead of pointing the finger in these situations, we should instead endeavour to educate and support each other to enable the rules to be understood and the roads to be safer for everyone."
The DVLA warns that drivers could be fined up to £1,000 if they do not tell the agency about a condition that could affect their ability to drive safely.
In certain cases, including those with involve serious injuries or even deaths, it can be considered that they were driving dangerously before an accident, potentially leading to prosecution and prison time.
© Felix Reeves / GB News
Image - GB News
Kevan James
There is a case for additional testing of older drivers. Most people will recognise that one of the side effects of getting older is our reaction and response times will slow down. And, as we well know, a variety of ailments can kick in and adversely affect what we do and how we live.
But there's the key - how we live.
Driving is a key skill and whilst extra precautions are a good thing there is a huge problem in the UK over age discrimination.
It is almost inevitable that there will be 'mission creep' at work, to the point where all people, no matter how fit they may be, will be simply told they cannot drive anymore - just because of their age.
And with the current government predicted to axe free bus passes for pensioners, more mature people will then be, as Craig Delahaye says above, cut off. Not just from, again as he puts it, "their relied-upon mode of transport," but from everything else as well.,
More or less imprisoned in their own homes - and there is plenty of recent precedent to show that governments will do just that. So what happens then?
Can they look after themselves? If not, do we take all people above a certain age into care? Can the country afford to? No. So what do we do...Ah!
Logan's Run!
Yes, by all means have extra testing but the emphasis must be on keeping people mobile, active and able to do as they wish. Otherwise a few steps along will be the culling of people.
Just because of their age.
© Kevan James 2024
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