Are older people the most dangerous drivers?
SWANSEA University’s Centre for Innovative Ageing has found that older people are just as safe drivers as anyone else — and much safer than boy racers. Older people are one of the safest groups on the road, which is why some insurance companies offer them cheaper insurance rates. Males aged under 25, on the other hand, have the highest accident rate and tests show they often lack anticipation of road dangers ahead. Older people are less likely to take risks — abuse alcohol, take street drugs or talk on a mobile phone — while driving. Insurance statistics show that one in four young men under 25 has such a serious crash in their first year of driving that their car is a write-off.
A. WILLS, Ruislip, Middx. I AM extremely concerned as to the ability of elderly drivers to control a vehicle. The self-certification system is sadly lacking in effectiveness as there is no personal contact or examination. I applied online on a Wednesday and my new licence for three years arrived on the Friday. We need to be aware of the failings in health, eyesight and hearing of elderly drivers. Spend time in a supermarket car park and study the competence of drivers as to their ability to manoeuvre and park. I have been told of a 95-year-old driver who has not had an eyesight test for 25 years and buys his spectacles from a filling station. There are daily reports of elderly drivers being involved in serious, even fatal collisions. With an ageing population, it will only get worse. It has been proposed that doctors be more stringent in reporting cases of patients they consider unfit to drive. But apart from breach of patient confidentiality, they would also want payment for this. As a patrol officer, I recall a serious accident when an aged driver, unable to judge speed and distance, pulled out from a side-road onto the main road, causing a car to brake sharply in an effort to avoid a collision. As a result, a following hGV ran into the back of the car, causing serious injury to the occupants. The offending elderly driver sailed off, unaware of the carnage. I suggest that when they reach the age of 70, to retain their licence, drivers should have an eye test, hearing test and co-ordination test.
G.I. BENSoN, Carlisle. LAST week, I was stuck in slowmoving traffic due to roadworks and temporary traffic lights. The young woman in front of me driving a sports car was using both hands to re-tie her ponytail. Mrs M. WILTSHIRE, Blackmore, Essex. FOLLOWING a tractor towing a trailer through narrow country roads, I was amazed to see it was being driven one-handed at 30mph and swerving severely, because the driver was texting on his mobile phone. If the police catch drivers texting, they should confiscate their phone and crush it there and then. Far more effective than an on-the-spot fine.
PHILIP FRANKLIN, Wellesbourne, Warks.