Safe Driving in later Life
Having the use of and being able to drive a car, is more than a luxury to many older drivers.
It’s our freedom to go where we want, when we want and it’s also our independence.
To many of us it can be enjoyable, sometimes stressful and at times dangerous.
Statistics show that mature drivers are generally safer than their younger counterparts.
Experience is often cited as the reason, but it’s not only this that affects the statistics.
The Science
Advances in neuroscience has found that parts the human brain mature later than was previously thought.
The prefrontal cortex which is extremely relevant to driving, deals with functions like:
- hazard perception
- risk assessment
- decision making
- judgement
- impulse control
So, as you can see, all relevant to driving
Unfortunately, this part of the brain is not fully developed until around age 25, which seems to explain why collisions are significantly less for those aged 25 to 29, as opposed to those aged 17-24.
It could also explain why a 17 year old that has just passed a driving test, is twice as likely to crash, as opposed to a 60 year old, that recently passed.
This is great news for the older driver then, balance in favour of older drivers.
However, as we age so do our bodies and minds.
Age related conditions, such as eyesight, fitness, reaction times, decline.
These conditions can affect driving, so the balance advantage of age, can start to go into reverse.
Advice
We would recommend that regardless age, all drivers should undergo periodic assessments and take refresher lessons.
Older drivers need an edge, to keep the balance of safety in their favour- there are lots of easy fixes to keep older drivers safe and on the road, well into their 80s.
FAQs
We put together your Mature Drivers FAQs about keeping safe and legal, when driving in later life.
This is one of the Mature Drivers FAQs top 10
Our eyesight changes with age, and is not as effective in low light conditions, flickering low light conditions, or sudden light changes. If you have an astigmatism, low ambient light, contrasting with the bright flashes from headlight, plus age related vision issues, this makes driving at night very difficult.
So, what can you do to make the situation better:
*make sure that your windscreen is clean inside and out. The inside is often forgotten, and tends to pick up dirty, almost greasy residue that can really affect vision in low light conditions
*see and be seen. Ensure that all of your lights and reflectors are working and clean.
* your dashboard should have a dimmer switch. Consider using the night mode or manual turning it down, to avoid light pollution inside the vehicle
* to avoid being dazzled by following motorists, use the dipping function on your centre mirror.
* ensure that your main ( centre) mirror is clean
* avoid driving when tired
* make sure that you can stop in the distance you see to be clear. This is likely to be the limit of your head light beam
* avoid being dazzled by oncoming vehicles. Many newer vehicles are equipped with high intensity LED headlights, which can exacerbate the issue. To avoid dazzle, temporarily look down and to the left. If you are temporarily blinded, pull over ASAP and safely.
* attend an annual eye examination with a professional.
As we get older, our needs change.
We may have the money to purchase a dream car, like an E-type Jaguar, but is that really going to be suitable?
Advice here is to consider the use to which the vehicle will be put now and in the immediate future, plus any medical conditions that are present, or likely to become so.
If you can afford the luxury of a modern vehicle, there are now technologies that can assist older drivers tremendously.
Such tech as parking sensors are great, when combined with additional mirrors, can greatly assist a driver that has difficulty turning to head, due to neck problems.
Automatic emergency breaking ( AKA Autonomous Emergency Braking) is a safety technology that can slow or stop a vehicle, without driver input.
There is an impressive list of assistive technologies to consider, all aimed at making driving safer.
Older drivers can also consider switching to driving an automatic vehicle. There is less to do, and a driver suffering from arthritis would certainly benefit. However, we would not recommend doing this without taking a refresher course of automatic lessons, particularly if this is combined with unfamiliar technology
This is more or less at the top of Mature Drivers FAQs.
The over arching answer can found found by thinking about any equipment that is, not to put to finer point on it, getting on.
It’s perfectly good, just needs little more maintenance.
When was the last time that you read the Highway Code?
Its changed quite a bit over the years, the new Hierarchy of Road users, most recently.
If you are not aware of these changes, how can you be a safe driver not knowing that Pedestrians waiting to cross at junctions have priority?
When did you last take an Experienced Drivers Assessment?
These are designed to pick up safety issues with your driving, before they become hazardous. If safety issues exist, you can take a few refresher lessons and get them addressed.
It doesn’t take a lot of thought or effort to make a big difference to road safety.
Yes you do and it will require renewing every 3 years thereafter.
You should receive a reminder D46P form DVLA 90 days before your licence is due to expire.
This form can be used up to 90 days before your 70th birthday.
Alternatively, you can apply online. In both cases, the service is free.
It’s a self-declaration and you must certify that you are medically fit to drive and your eyesight meets minimum standards.
If you have any doubts about your fitness to drive, you must consult your GP.
Your licence will expire when you turn 70, but you will not need to take a Driving Test. There is also no upper age limit for driving. The renewal process involves a self- declaration, re fitness to drive.
This is a Mature Drivers top ten question, and contrary to popular belief there is no age related retest. I think this question is driven by sensationalist articles in the press, which come up from time to time. However, if you feel that your driving skills need a bit of brushing up, just speak to an Approved Driving Instructor about some refresher lessons. Another option, is to join one of the charitable Motoring Organisations, like the IAM( Institute of Advanced Motorists. The ” Instructors” are not professionals, and are volunteers termed “Observers”.