Should there be regular driving tests for older people?

Question

I'm classing older people as 60 +

Answer 1

No.  You only have to look at the accident rates in age groups to answer your own question.  The 17-25 age group has the highest accident rate so we should look at that group having to retake a driving test every year.

I am 70 years old but answer your question from common sense.

Answer 2

I think everyone should be re-tested on a periodical basis. Unfortunately there aren't the resources to do it so it wont happen.

I'm a Police Driver, IAM and ADI but fall into the 20-60 age bracket so I don't know if that makes me a proper driver or not.

Answer 3

Yes. Everyone should have a refresher course every 5 years, sit a new test at 60 and 65 then every year after that.

All drivers should have a medical every 5 years until 65 the annually.

We (PCV) get a medical every 4 years and frequent assessments.

Some people in their late 70's and 80's who drive today do so legally and they have NEVER taken a test of any sort. Scary.

Answer 4

Yes, although it would probably be a good idea for ALL of us to have regular driving tests. In state of MS in USA I got my drivers license at the age of 15 and have never had to prove my abilities again, 19 years later. I'm not sure what would cause me to have to retake the driving test.

Answer 5

There should be regular, say every 10 years, test for everyone irrespective of age. Bear in mind the most likely group to crash are the under 25's.

Answer 6

Difficult. As observed elsewhere, it's often the show-off young ones who are the more dangerous (and more likely to be 'under-the-influence', un-insured, un-licenced, etc.)

But I agree with your basic Q - except for the age.  I've just turned 65 and many of my friends & relatives who are older drive quite sensibly and safely. There is a case for those over 70 requiring re-testing - say every 2 years - given the fact they passed their test (on average) 50 years ago and some refuse to admit sight, hearing problems - and/or ability to cope with today's rather frenetic driving conditions.

(Personally - now that my free bus-pass applies anwhere and everywhere, supermarkets deliver goods to the door, etc - I've given up driving altogether.  The saving on tax, insurance, servicing more than covers any occasional car-hire.)

Answer 7

I think they should make  driving test more difficult for older people and women.They both are very dangerous on the road!

Answer 8

No it is younger people (I am classing younger people as anyone under 30) who should be tested more regularly. The test should include an eye test, an intelligence test, a reactions test and a mental health test.

Answer 9

YES YES YES

the amount of older people on the road that are incompetent is ridiculous they should be made take 6monthly hearing and sight tests and a yearly short driving test only fair

Answer 10

As a driving instructor i feel every driver should be retested every 5 or 10 years

Answer 11

If an older person has a clean driving record and is insured, why should the government impose obligations on that person that do not apply to people in other age categories?  The accident rate of people over 60 is considerably lower than for people under 30.  It is unreasonable to discriminate against them.

Answer 12

Probably a majority of truck-drivers are well over 50, and a very high proportion are over 60.

They are not noted for being incompetent or accident prone by and large.

With a couple of  MILLION miles of driving behind me, I would suggest that the most dangerous drivers are business people and salesmen, who are often very aggressive.

Answer 13

I do not believe in ageism, but beside that I think that there should be a driving test for everyone.

To be honest, the worst drivers are between 17 and 50.

Adults of about 40 have such bad habits, crossing arms, cutting corner, Infact I witness it all the time.

The only proper drivers out there are :

- Older people 60+

- Police Drivers

- IAM

- Driving instructors (DSA qualified)

This is a good question, but there should be retests for every motorist with a class 'B' licence.

Answer 14

i work with and am nearly 60 .actually we are  among the safest group of drivers going. so a bit pointless really.

there ARE a group of older citizens who do drive slowly, badly and clearly are not perhaps fit  for the modern traffic and road conditions. so yes it it probably a good idea to have a test of some sort at a certain age .I think if you talk to say doctors etc who deal with older people you will come up with an age around 70 as the mean or start of mental and physical issues.

  If we are talking about making roads safer? surely the best way as based on facts would be to not allow men to drive until reaching 25 years of age? aft re all it is this group above all others that have the most serious accidents.

Answer 15

Yes beacuase you see SOME of them on the roads and they are dangerous so i think it is just general saftey and this would not be singleinsing people out it just the better to be safe then sorry and if they moan they obv no they need it but just dont want to admit it.

Answer 16

the problem that arises from older people driving (and correct me if I am wrong) is that older people drive more carefully than younger people and stick to the speed limit THEREFORE stopping younger people driving at ANY SPEED THEY WANT...SO  younger people get frustrated and annoyed with the older people and come up with statements like...THEY SHOULDN'T BE ON THE ROAD...am I correct or what?...........

Answer 17

Absolutely!!! I had a guy pull out in front of me, causing me to swerve of the road (i was only doing 30) while i had the kids in the car, when i told the police they said they knew him and he was almost blind!!!!! beggars belief!!

Answer 18

Not necessary - as soon as you turn 70 (I think) your Doctor has to sign a form every 3 years that is sent to the DVLA telling them you are still fit to drive.

Answer 19

There should be a regular driving test for everyone every two years..............

How about a test for anyone convicted of a traffic offense, or anyone involved in an accident, regardless of the actual cause.

Furthermore, have the fee cover the real cost of the thousands of new examiners that will be on the government payroll.

Remember that 15 to 20 year olds have more accidents and kill more people that 60 to 65 year old drivers.......

Answer 20

Yes then if they fail the test they should have their driving license taken away and they should not be able to get it back.

Sitting next to you !!!