Swap T-junctions for roundabouts ‘so pensioners can pull out safely’

CAMPAIGNERS are calling for T-junctions to be replaced with mini-roundabouts to make it easier for elderly motorists to pull out safely.

They have told ministers that Britain’s roads need to be redesigned to protect the rapidly ageing population.

A report by The Older Drivers Task Force said UK roads were ‘designed for fit, middle-aged motorists’ and called for fresh measures at T-junctions.

Although older drivers are less likely to hit and kill a pedestrian than younger ones, they are four times more likely to die in accidents, as their old-age makes it harder to recover from injury.

The majority of crashes at intersections occur at T-junctions. They account for 15 per cent of all accidents involving those under 65, but rises to 30 per cent for those over 75. Roundabouts account for fewer prangs overall, and the risk of being involved in an accident at one does not increase with age.

In its report, the task force also called for greater use of segregated slip roads to make it easier for elderly drivers to join on motorways and major A-roads.

Other proposals include wider central white lines, reflective backing on signs to make them more visible and larger lettering on road markings.

John Plowman, chairman of the Older Drivers Task Force said: ‘Looked at through an older driver’s prism, the current road system doesn’t do them much favours.’ The number of over-70s in the UK increased from 6.6 million to 7.6 million between 2000 and 2014.

Of those over 70, half of women and four in five men have a driving licence.

Road minister Andrew Jones said the Government wanted to tackle issues facing older drivers, adding: ‘Britain’s roads are among the safest in the world and we must strike the right balance between safety and personal mobility and we will carefully consider the recommendations. Age on its own is not a barrier to safe driving.’