With the judgement on whether you are able to drive placed on the driver’s shoulders, it begs to pose the question, is the current law fit for purpose as the average population age rises along with life expectancy?
More dangerous than ‘boy racers’
However, Edmund King, president of the AA, said “We wish the Duke of Edinburgh well. Many commentators use high profile car crashes involving elderly drivers as a reason to call for bans or restrictions on older drivers.
If driving restrictions based on age and safety were introduced, we would be more likely to restrict young drivers rather than older drivers.
Young, predominantly male, drivers are much more likely to crash within six months of passing their test than older drivers within six months of hanging up their keys.
He went on to say “The decision to hang up your keys is a tough one but should be based on personal advice from your GP and family rather than being based on some arbitrary age,
We all age differently and the car is an essential lifeline for many elderly people.”
The law and older drivers
There is no law on repeated eye tests, which makes it easy for you not to notice that you need glasses. Over the past few months, there has been a big push for eye tests every so often to be made compulsory under UK law.
Unless you have a declarable medical condition, there is no law on medical fitness or a medical assessment, apart from those driving minibuses or any large commercial vehicles.
Advice for older drivers
They encourage drivers to drive during daylight and avoid unknown routes unless necessary. Only two weeks ago we reported that collisions due to cautious drivers are up by a third, and those who are driving in unfamiliar areas are often much more cautious.
Once you reach the age of 60, you are automatically entitled to a free eye test. It is worth booking in and taking advantage of this, as it can help to detect other medical conditions, not just your eyesight.
Keep fit by doing 15-20 minutes of exercise a day. Whether this is a short walk through a local park, or attending a class at your nearest gym, keeping fit will make sure your joints are mobile and can help with coordination, both useful skills for driving.
Get a drivers assessment or speak to a local driving instructor for a one-off lesson that you can use to make sure you are aware of the roads. With this, you also get a professionals opinion on how you drive and things for you to watch out on. The Older Drivers Forum has a great collection of courses by professional bodies such as the Fire and Rescue service, the Insititute of Advanced Motorists and more. The aim of these is not to criticise your driving but instead to make sure that you are confident on the roads, and to keep you driving for longer.
Take a look at your car. Is it the most appropriate for your needs, and have your needs changed? What may have been a luxury, good-looking car may now need to turn into something that is easy to get in and out of, clear speedometer and bright enough lights.
Sgt. Heard from the Older Drivers Forum said that those who have a eye test and driving assessment regularly are less likely to crash or be involved with a collision, so it is worth investing in these things before it is too late.
Maybe getting a RHD motor could help?
🙂 🙂 PMSL
regular test bs every 5yrs from 70age
Why not from age 20. At 20 you have no experience and your eyesight can be bad too. Just because you are young does not make you a safe driver or immune to illness.
Anyone any age can suffer issues which make them unfit especially in these days when obesity and it’s attendant risk is rampant. Medical/eyesight clearance should be for everyone on a 5 yearly basis.
regular test 5yearly
My optician reminds every 2 years, it is free so why not?
It’s a tough question. I’m 73 and believe I’m OK to drive. But that is my assessment. I’d hate to think that I’m unsafe to be driving, but there’s no avenue for this to be verified.
Is it time for an official test?
As noted above, there are professional bodies who can assess you.
Contact your local IAM Roadsmart group for a observer assessment.
https://www.iamroadsmart.com/courses/mature-driver-review.
While not an “official” test, it would provide an independent assessment.
would they be able to cope if the 62% of drivers mentioned in this article need a test.
BTW EVERYBODY thinks they are a safe or best driver no matter what the age. It is always somebody else’s fault.
All well and good saying older drivers should be assessed more frequently, but with the ever increasing state retirement age, more older drivers are going to be faced with using vehicles to earn their living, such as sales reps. So not really a simple question to answer.
Further to this; there is just not the infrastructure to do it. Would this mean that (according to this article) 62% of drivers would need a test every 2, 3 or 5 years. Who will pay for it? Will it be a full test or reduced test? Will the theory test be included?
In these statistics where older people are “involved” in an accident how many of them are due to a young woman going into the back of them because old people stick to the speed limit? This happens to me almost daily and yes I find young women are becoming more aggressive.
in my humble opinion, age should not be a factor, every person should undergo a retest every ten years. i know of no work qualification that has serious H&S consequences that allow’s people to pass once and never sit the test again. cars evolve, roadways evolve as do driving styles and habits.
I agree entirely. As a retired seafarer I had to renew my licence every 5 years. I would argue that I was less likely to kill someone on a ship than driving to and from work
‘Herald of Free Enterprise’…’MS Estonia’ oh and ‘RMS Titanic’??
You’ve just justified why you need to renew your seafarer’s licence every 5 years then, haven’t you Clown!
Why the last remark “haven’t you clown” there is no need to throw an insult in or is that the way you win your arguments
The cheap snarky comment about three exceptional and major shipping disasters was no rational argument and too clever by half, not a clown but a stand-up comedian.
I’m pretty sure the mortality rates per miles travelled simply don’t bear comparison…..carnage on the roads is an ongoing disaster and a scandal that we take for granted and accept as normal until it happens to us and ours.
Seafarers observation was entirely valid.
And I was gonna look on EBay for a boat. There is always somebody to kill of a good idea☹️ nice to see a bit of humour on a dull day.
A lot smaller percentage of ships than cars in accidents
Harsh, I say, harsh
Have you compared the statistics for ships sunk with loss of life against fatal road traffic accidents?
Too many people watch u tube
Lucky you don’t live down under where they have one MOT for the life of the vehicle 🤓
Bulls**t. To which part of “downunder” are you referring? NZ certainly has an annual Warrant of Fitness test after 3 years, and for vehicles older than 2001 require a WOF every 6 months. https://www.nzta.govt.nz/vehicles/warrants-and-certificates/warrant-of-fitness/
I can’t speak for that backward country to our West.
No such thing as MOT but regular inspections are required http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/roads/registration/inspections/index.html
do you like paying out for everybody’s whim the government must love you
. . . and on Vancouver Island BC your car doesn’t need an annual road test.
Same as on certain small, remote Scottish islands, then
It should all start with an eye test every 5 years for all.
I totally agree with you. What other potentially dangerous item can you be deemed safe to use for the rest of your life. I’m 62, think I’m a good driver but I’m betting at 70 other people will probably think me lacking in some ways. Driving has changed over the previous decades,cars are better but everyone seems to be in a rush, even though we sit in queues more often, go figure!
Stoccato driving in towns and cities seems to be very prevalent at the moment. Changing lanes suddenly without warning and rushing from one set of traffic lights to the next, got to get in front of the car in front of me attitude. The SUV rules, get out of my way you lesser person in that old car.
To many distractions in the modern car. . .
I totally agree mike, everyone from the moment they pass their test should be re tested to a degree, every ten years sounds reasonable along with having to update your licence photo every ten years also. i think this should be done at the same time ish.
My husband totally agree with you there, young women really are more aggressive nowadays
As a grandfather, I try to keep off the roads during school run.
I have much sympathy for young mums who have to drop off one child or more – sometimes at different schools – then rush to work. Finding a place to stop for a minute, or so , is becoming increasingly difficult , with the addition of local councils using camera vans.
As for aggresion, watch drivers “foot-down” behaviour at roundabouts.
Well done that man! Blame the mombies! I certainly do. They are dreadful drivers, a danger to other road users. They stop suddenly, often without indicating or checking mirrors…..or the other favourite is to reverse on to you!
Another bug bear is that they will open passenger doors when you are coming past and not look, then give you a mouthful because you dare to challenge them!!!!!
Awareness in this proportion of the population is negated by the baby brain.
Do something about this first before punishing the folk that have been alive longer than them and their crotchfruit!
If a young woman rear ended me, I would have her for sexual harrasment
Definitely agree with younger women becoming more aggressive – equality means they have to be as stupid as young male drivers! I suspect insurance statistics underpin this phenomenon.
Perhaps young women are fed up with the huge inequality in the UK. Perhaps they are fed up being taken for a ride on the roads, with aggressive male drivers forcing their way through queues, because quite frankly I have taught one female with an aggressive nature, but oh boy oh boy I have had to control more than a few young men who thought they were on a race track, not a road.
I am an ex-pat in Spain and so often see go-getting young, female drivers driving like crazy. I have been trained to advanced driving standard by a police inspector who was chairman of the County Advanced Motorists Association and taught in techniques to make my driving safer and some antics by young women make my hair stand on end. I am aged 74, passed motor cycle and car tests first time, and drive regularly from UK to Spain and back.
Tony Mayes, never have I heard such rubbish …there good and bad drivers in every age group and gender. I have been driving since 1974 and never even received points on my license let alone been involved in an accident. Can you and many of the male drivers on here who put women drivers down… wake and smell the coffee, a good driver is a good driver regardless of age or gender.
You are 100% correct Rita. As an 80 year old male who has driven since 1960, 40 years as an HGV driver, with no accidents I can say with certainty that I was more erratic as a young man than I am now. Young people , irrespective of gender, are far too arrogant.
I don’t think persons are generalizing it is just from their experiences.
I totally agree. I have been a Driving Instructor on Large and small vehicles for 35 years and during that time have noticed that there are good and bad drivers in every age group and Gender.
For a long time I have preferred to teach women than men because they don’t have a macho image to support.
Not sure what point you are making about older drivers and their ability to still be a safe driver. Are my reflex actions still as quick as the day I passed my test 50 plus years ago? Or more importantly are they of an acceptable speed?
I do not know, and would far rather be tested and given the all clear than be involved in or cause a serious accident.
Big deal mr goody goody
Intelligent comment, sir, contributes substantially to the debate. Gold star for you.
It does not matter as all women drive bumper to bumper i just take the foot off the gas and slow down even more as they all think they are on the school run to dump the kids
It’s not true that all women drive bumper to bumper, I’ve found that as a driver who follows the speed limit the tailgates are usually delivery drivers in vans.
Why pick out just ‘young women’. The bonus is you get to take down their ‘particulars’….if only. Perhaps we can blame The Spice Girls, for promoting ‘Girl Power’.
You are in their way that is the problem. The have somewhere to be. Other divers constitute a problem to them.
We all have somewhere to be, that is why we are in the car,
Hope it’s not a full test. Seem to forget a few thing lately. Anyway I would hope that if I took a one hour driving lesson. The instructor could give me a certification of confidence on the highway
Mostly good points but it isn’t just young women! Middle aged businessmen who feel entitled to speed and think others should get out of their way are as bad! We need to focus on bad driving rather than blaming whole groups
If older drivers increasingly need to drive to earn a living that’s an even stronger reason to introduce compulsory eyesight tests for older license holders – and as such tests are free for the elderly there’s really no excuse for not taking them. I speak as a 75+ year old.
Don’t assume that it is only older drivers who need eye tests, there are a lot more middle aged drivers out there who don’t get eye tests and who should be wearing glasses. After every accident police are called to as well as dink/drug tests they should also check eyesight.
It’s around late 40s early 50s when eyesight begins to deteriorate, and many people dont have and eye test they buy a £10 or less pair of reading glasses from a supermarket (not suitable at all as each eye is different) and are unaware of the change in distance vision. (They notice reading as they cant read book print any more, but dont notice distance failing until they get glasses and realise the difference). Compulsory eye test every 3 years would be a sensible qualification for a driving licence. (When I had my racing licence I ahd to have a full medical every year after 45).
wrong its 35 onwards that eyes start to degenerate they go first before anything else, I have worn glasses all my life from a baby.
Maybe its just me but I see my optician at least once every 12 months and ask the question..”Am I OK to drive in these glasses / contact lenses”..
Im nowhere near 70, and advanced driver trained.
I have worn glasses all my life from 8 month old, so I have to have eye test every 2 years, I am now 56 and even I feel I should have eye test every year, as your eyes degenerate first from about the age of 35. I have been driving since 1988.
I’m now 71 and pride myself on my driving not like the idiots of all ages and gender that are on the road every day….Makes you wonder how they manage to pass their Test?….It would be nice though to have a UK bus or Rail pass if they want to get us off the roads..Now that would be an incentive to give up driving..Yes please🤓
You want a bus pass or rail pass…. go out and buy one?
Bus pass is free your council tax pays for it, rail pass I don’t know
There s a pass in the uk called a Freedom pass that allows you to travel free on buses and trains off peak
Applicable to Greater London residents only
If you are serious old man (I’m 69) you can get a free bus pass off the council if you really want one, I have one but its no good if I want to buy 2,4 metre pieces of wood exctra they won’t let you on the bus with it ,so I would have to pay £12 for delivery without my car.
Assuming you have a decent bus service!
Yes Raymond, you are absolutely correct, I’ve not thought about 70 plus citizens still driving to earn a living. But I feel at a certain age maybe, some sort of assessment should take plac
( feeling selfish now )as I’ve posted earlier today 🤔
At 70 you just tick a box to say you are fit to drive. Maybe a bit more comprehensivelist of tick boxes would serve better eg
Have you had an eye test in the last three years?
Did the optician pass your eyesight fit to drive?
There is also a list of medical conditions that everyone is obliged to declare, that could be included here, although I don’t know how DVLA asses these! Probabaly beaurocratically!
Maybe this should be at all ages, I know of quite a few people much younger than 70 that should declare their eyes are bad. I even know of some 40 year olds that should wear glasses but don’t.
Although eyesight does degrade as one gets older it is generally the near sight that is affected, i.e. needing reading glasses. My optician asks me to attend every 2 years and as it is free so why not.
But I still work and ride a motorbike as well as drive so I’ll probably be wiped out by an impatient 20 something overtaking a 70 something that is doing the speed limit.
I have to get a letter from my GP every 3 years to renew licence. Also have annual eye tests. It is a pretty thorough process. I also have to be sure that I am fit to drive before getting behind the wheel – it would be good if that were impressed on all drivers. Oh and I have to test my blood sugar every 2 hours whilst driving and prove it. How many people drive to work with no breakfast? Their blood sugar could well be below 5 mol/litre. (Normal range is between 4 and 7). Minimum for driving is 5
While acknowledging that there can be a problem with older drivers’ eyesight and possibly reaction times vs experience, there seems to be an obsession on this website to blame older drivers. However the comments from driving-statistics UK below make interesting, and hopefully more balanced reading. It seems quite clear from govt figures that drivers aged 20-29 cause the most accidents by far.
Perhaps the belief about older drivers stems from impatience on the part of younger drivers – many of whom may well be on their way to cause or have an accident?
It is clear to see from data released by Gov.uk last year, that drivers aged 20–29 pose the most risk on our roads. With dramatically higher figures than any other age group, drivers in their twenties were last year involved in 20,841 road incidents of all severities – considerably higher than any other age group and drastically greater than road incidents of all severities involving drivers aged 70–79 (3,254) and road incidents involving drivers aged 80 and over (1,939)
driving-statistics-uk
What the public think
In a recent survey conducted by Click4Reg, concerning 650 respondents, it became clear that the UK public are decisively divided in concern to which age group pose the greatest risk on the road. 52% claim it is drivers aged 17–24, but 48% placed a focus on the older category of drivers (70+). An extremely close result that perhaps highlights why these two driving groups are always so hotly contested.
Who decides, and by what criteria, which driver “caused” an accident? My guess is that it is entirely subjective, i.e.a matter of opinion.
IT’S A ‘COLLISION’ not an accident these days- Listen to dramas on TV– ” An RTC occurred on …….”
95% of road accidents are caused by driver error, whether it be lack of anticipation and/or concentration, or driving too fast for the road and/or conditions. A non-driver error accident is very rare.
Totally agree. At work in a high risk industry we had a system of categorising accidents e,g, operator not trained, operator trained but ignored training, manager did not invest in training, manager condoned poor/unsafe working practices, wrong or inadequate tools for the job etc etc. The final category was ‘Act of God’ i.e. a true accident such as an incident caused by lightning or flash flooding. In 20+ years, we never had an ‘Act of God’. The 2 fatalities could both be put down to human error.
Also every minor incident was logged and we had that pyramid that shows you for every so many near misses, you can expect X first aids, Y minor injuries, Z major injuries and 1 fatality at the top. The more near misses the higher the likelihood someone would die and we upped the training accordingly.
I think the same applies to driving. There are not many true accidents.
Isn’t it the police when they scrutinise the skid marks on the road?
Agree that the 20-29 group will have more accidents as they drive to work day in, day out, have Children on-board and don’t have the luxury of staying at home if bad weather or don’t feel 100%…..
Remember you can prove anything with Statistics…!
My vote is for a yearly eye test – For everyone:
Plus a reading test to weed out those innumerate people who can not understand the numbers 20, 30, , 40, 50.
Um. 52% to 48% now where have I seen that spoken of as decisive? Funny that related to older and younger. Seriously though, maybe everyone who takes their driving test should have more checks over time. So, perhaps, every 6 months for 2 or 3 years then, say, every 10 years with an automatic retest with every accident or driving offence. Generally I think young drivers today are less reckless than when I was young ( I am 70 and have been driving since I was 17). There was no to speed limit, London to Perth in 6 hours. Mad. Starting to drive today with the amount of traffic on the roads is a tough ask. Instinctive reactions take time to develop. Of course there are some young idiots but there are also some old idiots who insist on driving when they are unwell. Us oldies should have the experience and wisdom to know when we are not fit (stopped driving for several months because of illness).
I am 74 and belong to the Institute of Advanced Motorists, I get re assessed every six months. Why should I be penalised because of my age
But you are arguably the solution, not the problem. Being reassessed every 6 months means that you being regularly and frequently signed off as a competent and safe driver.
That is no guarantee he won’t have a bump, it probably won’t be his fault but theres people on this site and others that will say he was a contributing to the bump because he was there and if someone had stopped him driving, the bump would not have happened, that is some of the rubbish these people come out with
That’s simular to the, I think, scam on insurance. Why do you have to guess how many miles you travel in a year. You could, and I’ve seen it happen have a bump getting of your drive, or within a mile of your home.
Insurance statistics show that youth and inexperience are the two main causes of driving errors
Totally agree, last year a young 23/4 year old woman who’d only passed her driving test 1 month before crashed into the streetlight outside my home demolishing my established and mature beech hedge……..have a guess what caused the accident…..a spider, she was speeding,took her eyes off the road all because of a spider.
She wrote her car off,behaved like a complete diva stamping her foot demanding to know why no one was asking if she was ok…..of course folk did, it was noted that there was half eaten toast on the floor and passenger seat so it was surmised she was eating her breakfast
Surely this should also be a requirement for the first three years for young drivers also! With specific training to prevent excessive speeding !
They are taught not to speed! Doesn’t stop them, or some other drivers, when they are away from the instructor. Arrogance, selfishness and poor planning are more difficult to eradicate!
What about age discrimination?
Agreed but a major contribution to road safety would be compulsory retesting of under 25 year olds, perhaps annually. Many young drivers pass their test and forget that they are still learning and much of what they learned for the test gets forgotten.
That’s because it’s the way youngsters are taught to think these days. A 16 year old kid in his/her 1st Job must, by law, be paid the same as someone who has been doing the job for neigh on 50 years! They’re told that experience and responsibility counts for nothing.
Err no. Minimum wage means anyone doing the job who is on the same level must be paid the same minimum, it doesn’t mean everyone must be paid the same
They can re-test drivers as many time as they think necessary but it will not change the attitude /moods or drug driving that is prevalent on our roads at present.
Only the courts can order a retest
Totally agree NO ONE should be penalised due to age. ABILETY TO DRIVE SAFELY AND PREDICT HAZZARDS AND HAVE GOOD SPACIAL AWARENESS IS KEY.
Im now 65 still working 12 hr day and nighr shift. Two days ago driving to work on the busy A14 while it was snowing and almost settling l could not beleive how many drivers were driving so badly. Driving in excess of 70 mph. Driving up each others back side. Hogging the middle lane on a three lane section. Some only wirh side lights on. Others driving hesitently breaking constantly etc. NOT ONE OF THE ONES I ACTUALLY COULD SEE DRIVING WERE.NOT 65 OR OLDER.
If drivers are to be checked and or tested it should be for all. Dont just pick on elderly drivers. In the same way l would not tell my son when he was 21 he wasnt safe to drive an articulated lorry carring a tank or should not drive that tank. As a REME soldier he was trained to be able to do it but his civiI mates were incapable.
Surely its about checks n ballances for ALL and not not having pre conceptions.
As for the DUKE he is a prime example of an arrogant royal with lackies who would not tell him he is no longer safe and if they had dared to.he would just have carried on as was already evident in the news.
Using him as an example of a bad elderly driver has now driven a debate which is good but any changes need to be reasonable and ballanced and include EVERY ONE.
I agree with you, the problem is the standard of driving is very poor & much of the poor driving is by younger drivers under the age of 65,as a 75 year old I took a driver assessment course offered & run by my local county council, the reason i did this is that most drivers THINK they are good drivers but you should not judge yourself also i do think that we older drivers should be assessed on a regular basis as faculties do get worse as we age & I would hate to be responsible for the death or injury of someone else due to my bad driving.
All depends how physically and mentally fit for their age an older driver is. I am 72 and still ride motor cycles so I have to be very aware of what’s going on around me. I can still run ten miles with no problem. But on the other hand there are people my age who are complete sofa bears and do next to nothing.
Some have no choice rheumatism, arthritis,, old injuries, stroke etc you are a lucky man.
Here here. I recently took a ROSPA Experienced Driver Test because I was aware that I now drive more slowly (and sensibly) than in the past, and feel that my concentration accordingly was a little relaxed. I therefore took the test to check whether an experienced examiner could find any areas that needed improvement. I have always prided myself on my driving but must acknowledge that, with more traffic and more examples of poor driving, I may not drive as well as I used to. I am pleased to say that, at the age of 75, I passed with an A in all areas. I intend to repeatthis every 3 years or so to ensure that any bad habits get picked up and sorted.
What a sensible, mature and considered attitude to driving! Would than more of our age should do the same.
Commendable sir but one bad test and you loose your licence seems a bit harsh when people can take 20 real tests for their licence and still fail because of a silly fault that circumstances prevailing upset the flow of the test. eg I fail my HGV1 because a car was turning right at some traffic lights but was over the white line to the n/s lanes so blocked my way through, I had been following this car for some time, it indicated and braked late so was out off position, the lights changed to red but me and my trailer were over the stop line for the lights, so I proceeded as soon as the car moved off because I was blocking the road for those coming from the right, I failed for going through a red light but then if I hadn’t gone perhaps with a different examiner I might have failed for not making reasonable progress
There will always be a percentage of all age groups that are involved in accidents. You are right in what you say in your comment. Most people seem to be in a hurry, especially (some) young women drivers who seem to want to be the car in front no matter how dangerous it is to get there.
Fully agree with your comments, I am 72 and been retired since 2009 of a design engineer and previous post of senior engineer and having to travel daily using the m4/5. The amount of idiots that use the motorway makes me wonder about however they passed the driving test as if I was overtaking HGVs that other drivers would be tailgating and flashing the headlights yet I was keeping to the speed limit of 70 mph, I found it more safe and less stressful to use the first ( driving ) lane and keep my speed similar to the HGVs of 55mph. The journey time only added say 5 minutes to my driving time they seem to think that the speed limits are a minimum but in fact it’s a maximum and don’t drive to the condition of the road or location, being not fully aware of other hazard’s on the a road’s etc of pedestrians etc. I actually had to take a driving test with an advanced driving instructor for a job I had applied for which involved travelling and was supplied with a company car. I now avoid rush hour traffic especially the school run’s but will never forget what my driving instructor said to me back in the mid 60’s of have to think what the other drivers are doing of the one in front, one behind and one coming the other way and basically treat them as IDIOTS so it was just as bad then but not the same traffic volume.
Do we actually know who was mostly at fault? I thought the police were still investigating. As far as I can gather from several news sources the police followed normal procedures with both drivers. For example, the Duke was breath-tested the same as the other driver.
I was a member of the Rospa Advanced Drivers Association for many years, and found that their requirement for a 3 yearly retest was exceedingly beneficial. The problem is that most drivers have either forgotten much of the Highway Code, or it’s changed since they took their test, so they don’t actually know what the law is. I’m often surprised that, for example, too many drivers intending to turn right refuse to enter a box junction, believing they’re not allowed to and hold up people behind them because they’re blocking the road (see rule 174). Especially annoying during rush hour.
That is not an isolated unknown or misinterpreted rule (for example there are a significant number of drivers who don’t know what speed they can drive at on a single carriageway road under ‘National Speed Limit’) so I’d therefore suggest that at least a fairly regular sit down Highway Code retest might benefit an awful lot of drivers, both them and other road users, and that regardless of age.
God help us
Those like yourself are not the problem. Those who think that, because they once passed a basic driving test, they can go on and on in spite of radically different modern road conditions and rules, or that the rules are the same now as they used to be – they’re the problem. And also people like the chap below who’s just commented ‘God help us’ to your sensible comments. Much of the substandard driving we see, especially on motorways, is due to ignorance — for example, I bet a lot of ‘middle-lane hoggers’ believe that’s the correct place to be and that the inside lane is for lorries. From 70 onwards, car licences have to be renewed every three years. A half-hour session at that time on a ‘simulator’ programme on a computer would update drivers and ensure they’re aware of current requirements – cost-effective and worthwhile. These comments are not ‘ageist’ – I am 70 and hold an HGV, renewable annually.
100% correct. My bugbear is that many drivers do not seem to know the revised rules regarding multi-lane roundabouts.
70 is such an arbitrary number. Surely there is a case for all drivers to be asked to take refresher training every 10 years. Vast numbers of current drivers would fail. Focus should be on safety for all road users. eg no one reads the Highway Code unless obliged to do so despite frequent changes to the law and guidelines.
My vehicles require an MOT every year. I’m approaching 70 years old; I’d be amazed if aced the Old Coger Test every year. I plan to take the IAM review annually, probably at the same time as my 3.5 tonne Mercedes Sprinter motorhome gets done.
Regular eye tests are necessary anyway but I feel some kind of voluntary assessment would be a good idea
I think relinquishing your license must be the hardest decision to make as it means losing independence. Regular eye tests and voluntary assessments are a good idea
The real problem is driving standards and not age. HRH’s attitude probably plays a part but I think this too is only part of a wider problem.
I think that people’s general attitude to driving is influenced by let’s say the law of averages. The fact the average driver is older than a few decades ago means younger drivers now drive like older drivers and I see this as part of the problem. People should have been taught to drive properly decades ago and things drivers are only getting worse which is the most compelling argument for autonomous vehicles.
I agree with Alasdair 2. The whole driver training/testing industry needs a huge rethink and kick up the backside. Currently, it is a joke. Until that takes place nothing much will improve. The standard required to pass a driving test is abysmally low, hence the standard of instruction is generally poor, (people are not taught to drive, they are taught, often badly, to attempt to pass a very basic test) hence the general standard of driving on our roads is poor. The first time pass rate figures will bear this out. Some sort examination of attitude should also be included in the driving test.
The dukes crash was caused by being blinded by the sun… drivers of any age are affected in the same way..
Had the driver of the other car got the Experian to know this..? If so she would expect that someone may pull out in front of her.. so have to think that way if your ride a motor bike and want to carry on living..
As noted above ‘Many commentators use high profile car crashes involving elderly drivers as a reason to call for bans or restrictions on older drivers’; this is a technique used to push an agenda & as such is not a justification for ever more rules & regulation. So many arbitrary lines are already drawn in the sand without consideration of context; we do not need any more. Those obsessed with health & safety should get a life & accept that accidents do happen, even to older more experienced drivers.
And no more bumper, sorry, profits for the accident ‘industry’, Solicitors, doctors, repair shops, car hire, recovery etc, etc,
Yes the high profile accident that happened, in question was you know who. Was stopped by the police 2 days later, for not wearing his seat belt, and was given a warning. Us mere mortals would have been fined a point on our licence if we had been stopped with no seatbelt. That being if there were any police in cars or on foot. They seem to be getting an endangered species where I live, but this one accident has caused all of this, because he thought he was above the law. Absolutely ridiculous .
why does he drive at all.!!?? so many lackies available to him to run him anywhere his little heart desires.
Currently there are too many impatient drivers on the road, and of course those who have forgotten the highway code.
Whilst speed limits are frequently disregarded, the risks to careful ( sometimes older drivers) increases.
Gone are the days when drivers used to allow adequate stopping distance, hence multiple pile ups.
The increase in older drivers can be put down to several factors, one of which being the reduction in public transport, hence the need for older people to retain a car.
well said, much of the problem is down to too many vehicles on the road if only the government would get rid of it’s blionkered attitude toward public transport and pump in the subsidies to make it confortable and convenient we are stuck. I know I would much prefer to take it easy on public transport than drive these days
I live in Mid Wales, and the government has removed all public transport from my village. I would have to drive about 5 miles to the nearest bus stop, and then it’s only a couple of buses a day going after morning peak, and finishing before afternoon peak, and of course going no where near where I need to go. Elderly sticking to the speed limit isn’t a problem, it’s not keeping up with the flow, breaking on corners when already going under the limit, and not paying attention to signage. And night driving is a big problem. I’m only 50 and wonder what my eyes will be like in 10 years on these unlit dark country lanes.
Round here many drivers drive three to seven MPH UNDER the limit in a 30 limit they drive at 25mph or less, when i took my test if you drove below the limit when it was safe to drive at the limit you failed the test, too many bad drivers around.
You don’t HAVE to drive up to the limit. You drive safely for the road and conditions. The reason why there are proportionately more accidents on rural roads is because people drive at 60 with no thought for horses, livestock and people whose front doors open directly on to the road. Maybe you didn’t think how your comment reads but it looks like driving below the limit and ‘bad drivers’are linked in your mind.
Battybern you are right about public transport,I went to visit a relative in hospital in the evening and because of the parking being difficult I took the bus only find that when I came out at 8 pm there were no busses for an hour,so I had to walk home,good job that I am fit at 75 also regarding the eye test I have an eye every year and am amazed at how low the pass level is to be considered fit to drive.
No buses for an hour at 8pm ? We have no buses until the next day after 6pm !!
I certainly wouldn’t, I thoroughly enjoy driving – I can see a case for routine ‘into town shopping’ being by public transport, but I certainly worked hard (74) to enjoy my leisure time and have no intention of giving up driving all the while I am capable of doing as I did when I passed my test!
I have to drive 6 miles to reach public transport which doesn’t go where I need it to go. My nearest train station is over 10 miles away and parking there is inadequate and expensive. There must be thousands of people in rural areas in the same boat…
So move..when you become elderly you need to think bus..train..doctors hospital.simples.
Statistics show in the last 8 years bus usage outside of London has fallen by over 40%. Cant remember the accurate percentage, it was a stat given out on the Radio 5 Live morning show last December.
Why have the bus journey totals fallen…? because public transport is garbage, unreliable, expensive… and the time table is found in your local library under “fiction”.
You won’t find them under fiction in your local library for 3 reason:-
1. You are lucky if you still have a local library – at least one open when you can get to it.They are as rare as rural buses these days.
2. Your local buc company probably doesn’t produce printed leaflets any more -Arriva please note.
3. If you do have a library it won’t be stupid enough to file them under fiction, more likely local history!
We’re just going through this with my father in law. He’s 86 and seeing several medics for various conditions. Two have told him he shouldn’t be driving but then another has just told him he’s fine to drive and understandably he kept quoting that particular doctor when we tried to get his keys off him. Following a recent accident in which he almost wrote his car off (thankfully no one was hurt) we’ve finally convinced him to stop driving, but it’s been one hell of a struggle! Yes there needs to be more regulation where families have more power to stop an elderly relative getting behind the wheel if they know they are dangerous.
I sympathise greatly. My father is about that age and there is a decline in his driving standards. Thankfully he has largely compensated but night driving is not an option anymore and even the occasional overtake is not feasible either. His long distance judgment just isn’t there anymore and although it’s quite sad one of the better drivers is reduced to the level of the majority, I’m still very grateful that he manages at all.
Ironically my father in law was chairman of the regional branch of the institute of advanced motorists ‘back in the day’ – he was certainly a superb driver then. Probably why he finds it so hard to let go now.
If you substitute ‘any’ for ‘an elderly’, then you are making sense!
How many elderly drivers still holding a driving licence are still driving? My mother gave up driving at 90 but still held her licence until the day she died 7 years later.
unless this was some time ago she proably didn’t bother to renew as over 70s are expected to do every 3 years.
My mum renewed her licence after she packed up driving when her car finally gave up the ghost and she realised family would ferry her around. She didn’t have a passport so it was a good form of ID.
At what age do I need to stop riding my motorcycle? I was thinking of trading it in for a new one for my 70th. But maybe you think I should just get a three wheeler scooter or worse a new car.
I agree David. I’m 71 and looking at a new bike…to ride to the airfield to fly my plane 😊
I had to return my Motobility car pending appeal after my PiP assessor ignored my statements and lied her ass of, so with the money I got for returning the car in good order (and to help keep mobile) I bought a CB600 Hornet, had a full motorcycle licence since the 1970’s. I’ll ride it till I feel I’m not capable, or my wife tells me she’s concerned (she picked the Hornet out, I was looking for 125 -250)
Maybe in car monitoring systems used for young new drivers would give older drivers the assurance they are driving safely.
My friend’s 18 year old daughter has one of these systems; this has not orevented her from having 3 accidents in the past 12 months. She also wears glasses as do I since at my lasteye test my optician informed me that I was only just legal for driving – I am 78 and have had no accidents in the past 5 years and the last one was a parent running into the back of my car when I had stopped at a roundabout near the school. Incidentally this was a father not a mother
I am 71 and still hold an Hgv Class 1 licence had hgv medical last year passed with flying colours, with A1 eye sight. I drive all over the UK and accident free for 53 years so Why should take another test? you can not tar us all with same brush
I also hold a HGV licence, have A1 eyesight, and have passed all my medicals for the profession my next being due at the end of this year, I also have been accident fault free in my driving career.
The medical for a HGV licence is a very easy medical to pass, and you only have to have a very basic standard of health to pass the medical, and answer a few questions about your health, whether you tell the truth or not is up to you.
I personally would like to see a more ‘in depth medical’, based on stricter terms, and more checks into your ‘real health’, not just an overview, and that applies to all ages. I also would like to see a psychological assessment introduced to a driving test, in order to weed out potentially dangerous people.
Imagine if all us non-professionals had to PAY £55 quid or more every 5 years. There would be more comments than here. Just imagine how long rags like the STAR and Daily Mirror could keep that story going!!!
if we look at the cost of your photo driving license and how it has gone up over the years…. how long before the £55 doubles or trebles????? Once you open your wallet / purse to pay for these things you are totally open to being robbed blind by the powers that be
cuz most people are not like you, and are you complaining that you have had these tests, are you not pleased you have past with flying colours [your words ] its not tarring everyone its just a fair solution to a serious danger no mater what your age. There are so many more vehicles + idiots on our roads now, something needs to be upgraded other than more high tech cars people cant use
I am fast approaching my 78 birthday. I have driven since 1958, all types of vehicles both here in the UK ,and on the continent, in all those years I have never had an accident. I go down the gym 3 days a week and out running another two days a week. I have regular medical and sight tests, and daresay I am fitter than many of the younger drivers who career around the roads with their “souped up” cars. I say bring on a road test every year for all drivers, I have no fear of losing my licence, unlike some other idiots on the road. “Knocking” the old in the UK, for just about all the countries ills has become a national pastime.
Spot on Pete, and let’s not forget the automatic insurance premium hike we get clobbered with once we hit 70 yrs of age in spite of the fact that younger drivers are more accident prone.
They will be blaming us for Brexit next Lol.
I think the young ones have already blamed us for Brexit
But thats apparently because the “young” ones couldnt be bothered to to get off their backside and spell the word “X” on a ballot paper… you dont vote, dont whinge about the result.
But do they understand what is at stake? They will soon gripe when they have got to join the EU army for 2 years and speak French or German
Another piece of misinformation
And unjustifiably. It has more to do with education and a 40 year smear campaign in parts of the press. Most of my peer group, friends etc voted remain and they are mainly over 60. Again, assumptions about whole groups
Insurance hike for over 70? I never saw one and well in my seventies am paying a lot less for insurance than many younger people I know.
Tell us all who you’re with because even Saga push prices up once you turn 70.
I am with Tesco. 3L engine, 150 mph top speed, 6.1sec 0-60. £222 last year, thta up from £219 in 2012 12 yrs no claims.
My kids do blame we old folk for Brexit saying it will not effect us but it will effect them so as such we should not have been allowed to vote.
Are they willing to join the EU army or are they too old
Pensioners recall why we went to war, if only to avoid being dictated to. But the EU has demonstrated its dictatorship in many ways !
That’s not true. We do/did actually have a say in any and every law, rule and regulation passed, that’s why we have MEPs.
We were simply stupid enough to elect an anti-european zillionaire hypocrite with an underhand devious agenda to be our representative who’s been selling us down the river to the highest bidder while pretending to be one of “the people” who enjoys a smoke and a pint and a laugh down the pub and busy trousering his ill-gotten gains at our expense.
The ultimate con-man in his Del boy camel hair coat, we swallowed his and his accomplices lies believing he’s doing us a favour….
As a matter of fact, at the time Winston Churchill believed and dreamed of a united democratic Europe protecting us against fascist dictatorship being the end result of what the war was about.
Most of the pensioners I know voted remain, and are also perfectly good drivers. As other people have said public transport is dire outside of major cities. so older people have to continue to drive in order to have any kind of life. It just seems to be acceptable to blame the old for everything these days, Before you know it someone will be suggesting that health care for the elderly should be restricted because it costs too much. Oh and stop blaming women for bad driving too. sometimes they may get a bit distracted by the multiple responsibilities they have to deal with, but they aren’t so likely to speed, the majority of lunatic drivers I notice are younger men.
For those of us who have lens replacement surgery, an eye test should never be necessary again.
eyes should be tersteed regularyly as it’s not only the lens that can cause problem. the test may also highlight over medical problems so are a wise precaution
What about your retina?
Not all older drivers are bad drivers if a driver has more than two accidents a year that he/ she were to blame then look at their ability to drive but as usual all older drivers have to suffer because of some that are not good drivers On GMB last week after the Dukes accident it stated there was more accidents by younger drivers stop blanking every one the same as that is not fair on any one
We seem to do things the wrong way round in UK. Public transport isn’t a viable option being expensive and unreliable or even non existent. Yet we try to charge motorists to go in to cities, impose punitive fares on commuters and allow transport operators to cut routes, frequency which don’t solve anything
Government needs to put in a good and integrated public transport infrastructure priced to entice people out of their cars. This will not only reduce car journeys but will cut pollution, accidents and allow other forms of transport to be used more safely eg cycling etc
I myself are approaching 76 and have got to apply for my next licence, and am shocked that no tests of any sort are required for over 70s, so I speak from the “other side of the fence” so to speaki. The fact that I can go on-line and fill in the form saying that I have had a recent eye-test (I actually have last week), and promise that there is nothing medical wrong with me (have just had my well-woman tests with blood tests) is SO NOT GOOD ENOUGH. When I took my test way back, the size of the theory book was just a pamphlet – now it is a tome, and all of it is online. Even if we had to get our opticians to sign off on our reaction tests would be a great thing. People do not want to admit their reaction are not quick any more, and do they even realise? There could be a simple test which HAD to be verified by a doctor which tested reactions via a video montage and clicker, to make sure their reactions are still razor sharp; a simple eye test; and a general medical checkup; plus a test on a test pad in their car. I for one would welcome it. I have had to go on a driver awareness test for a minor offence, and was so glad I did – we all were. It was so informative and eye-opening. Run by the Police and well presented. I believe the presentation is being rolled out in schools for our sixth formers. I am happy to have a long discussion with the powers that be, because I feel so strongly that the present requirements are utterly pathetic, and therefore totally irresponsible socially. Wake up and do the right thing!!! Penny Russell – approaching 76!
This is all well and good – it happens in Spain – the combined medical/eye/hearing/reflex test costs about £80.
Compulsory road safety medical check every five years for all licensed drivers would benefit overall road safety.
As a 79+ driver with a medical condition I have regular annual eye checks and have a check carried out by a consultant who have to date to.d me I’m fit to drive. However I saw a road sign recently that I did not recognise so I’m going to book the IAM course for matur drivers. I think all drivers over the age of 79 should adopt a similar procedure to ensure they’re fit t drive and have the physical capability to drive in modern traffic conditions.
I do not drive at certain times of the day, when schools are opening or closing for example, as I find the often selfish and fast drivers who are parents going to take or collect their children the most dangerous time of the day. I don’t agree that over 70 should be penalised. I have two cars both classic cars and they need to be used regularly and as this is my hobby and keeps me going I would be distraught if I had to give it up.
Lies, damn lies and statistics! Your stats do not accord with other reports that the under 22 cause 4 times the serious crashes than over 65s. There should be medical and eyesight clearance perhaps for all drivers on a 5 year basis. Fitness to drive is not just related to age.. I am 73, no accidents in 40 years, but am horrified by the appalling standard of driving I encounter from mostly younger drivers. This despite supposedly tougher tests. Ageist vilifying older drivers is not the answer.
statistics statistics and damn lies
Quite agree David, I’d go further and say a medical, an eye test and some sort of driving test/update (things do change)for EVERYBODY from day one of passing a driving test, say every 3 years, just as long as you want to drive. A personal M.O.T. if you will.
It’s appalling the amount of folk that are still injured and killed by motor vehicles, anything to reduce this number would be much appreciated, especially by the relatives of those killed
Seems a good idea ….. for the medical profession to make a bit of cash (where are they coming from-shortage of medical staff) …. Well what about the overseas drivers-have more exceptions and exemptions for them. We are all told the old 70 is the new 50 !!!
Incidentally I was in a bowling club with an older membership until recently.. boy did I find out quickly the number of older folk who should NOT be driving cars. Definitely needs some sort of checks on driving skills but age barriers is not one of them.
That’s going to cost too much money – good idea, but won’t happen – unless the driver has to pay!
…of course the driver will have to pay, who else is going to?
Well said Charlie, a while back I advocated a 5 year “Everyday” driving test for everyone for a nominal fee, it wouldn’t have to be a detailed affair, just someone to observe your driving for say half an hour and offer “Advisories” (like your MOT), retest in a year if you get more than three advisories, add in an simple eye test and you’re there.
I’m 65 now and I get stuck behind the over cautious people and get tailgated by the over aggressive ones, driving standards have very much declined. Having a test, such as the above might level things out a bit and make it safer for everyone.
If a Doctor / Police gives a driver a clean bill of health no matter what age then that driver should be allowed to carry on driving
I think no matter what age are class you’re from we all need to start showing a little respect for everybody
I agree. However GPs also need to take responsibility for agreeing to older patients continuing to drive or not. My Mum told her Dr she was getting lost when out on foot, her bije and driving to well-known locations, and clearly had memory issues which in time was diagnosed as Alzheimer’s disease. However her GP signed her as fit to drive, so I had the horrible task of informing DVLA of my concerns. After she ended up on a dual carriageway rather than the usual country lanes for her weekly evening out to the same venue as she’d done for many years, we persuaded her to stop driving. However due to no public transport being available, it meant that her and a friend could no longer attend their weekly meeting.
Eye tests should be mandatory for all drivers every ten years, as well as refresher training through ROSPA or IAM. Everyone can get into bad habits!
Eye tests should be compulsory to older drivers atleat every two years. Optician must be given an authority to inform the DVLA if any one has poor eye sight who is not fit to drive to save the other drivers.
A gentleman in his 50s reversed into my car when parked .I am 68 and hope i am not in those statistics !!
Compulsory eyesight must be introduced for older people.
Poor eye sight drivers must be banned.
Drivers licences are a waste of time. They prove only that you drove acceptably while the examiner was in the car. What you do once he gets out and turns his back is anybody s guess.
My aunt wbo is 94 is still driving. She lesrned to drive in the WAAF during the war. She later passed the Advanced driving test. In all that time she has never had an accident but is now having to stop driving because her car insurers are charging her £2000 per year. How many pensioners can afford such high premiums?
Taxi’s are quite reasonable if you don’t run a car.I would be telling the insurance company’s what to do with their quotes.!!
Everyone who’s license is old enough to have not included the theory test should be made to retake a full test. Those old enough to have not included hazard perception should be made to take that portion of the test and a short “check” practical test.
Money in the bank for the government, and I proved safety bringing everyone to the same standards.
I read a report many years ago about the theory test which included a computer simulation..
It seems that a group of driving instructors decided to take the test so that they could advise their pupils.
They failed, because the computer section did not allow for their faster reactions to the simulated situations – it was set for slower ones and could not compensate.
As an older driver I’d be happy to have periodic driving tests. I’ve always argued for these for every driver at ten year periods, and for over 70s every five years.
I am 74 and still driving since I was 17 and I have my eyes tested every two years. I mainly drive during the day as I find driving at night with the latest head lights dazzle my eyes making it difficult for me. What I have noticed over the years many drivers on the roads have no patience at all and they are also discourteous and I believe they are the ones that cause the accidents.
I (72) have invested in proprietary night driving lenses in my distance glasses. They do make a difference, subtle but well worthwhile, especially when raining at night. Main brands are Zeiss and Hoya, no doubt there are others. They have a very faint tint of blue or yellow, I chose the yellow ones. They also improve clarity on dull or hazy days as well as at dusk.They can be worn all day everyday, but I reserve mine strictly for driving as they are not cheap and safer from scratching kept in the car.
I suggest looking at the situation from the other perspective. There are a lot of (not old) people who drive inappropriately for the conditions: eg far too fast on roads, especially narrow ones, treating them as though they were on some video game race track, too fast in not ideal weather conditions , ie black ice, ice, wet, very dry with gravel. A lot of people seem always to be in such a hurry, and do not seem to have the mental capacity to allow one to drive slower especially in unfamiliar territory. They rely on their brakes not their brains. Better late than dead on time!
Also manufacturers have made headlights more and more bright. Lazy, rude drivers do not dip in time for oncoming drivers who end up ‘blinded’; older eyes do not tolerate such intense light as well as younger ones. Whose fault then? If an accident should happen? The lights do not need to be so bright anyway, it is a myth that the brighter the light the better (more safe) the driving. Plus Highways insist on cutting grass verges etc to give drivers a better ‘sight line’. I suggest they leave the vegetation to decrease the sight line which might just get people to slow down in ‘difficult’ areas . But having observed such a lot of inappropriate driving .. see first paragraph.. this might not work!
Also I observe such erratic driving that I truly wonder what drugs these people are on! Legal or illegal!
In summary therefore .. to answer your question: work towards a more supportive world! And mean it! This might start with a more rigorous driving test in the first place, with a follow up at some time to check what bad habits one has got into.
Have a nice day … as you enter the battlefield of manic drivers!
Yours
S Hare
I have made a lifetime habit of using my indicators. One of my bigest bug bears today is that not many people especially young to middle age do not use theirs. Quite a lot are women. Waiting to pull out on a roundabout especially and on junctions. You are waiting for them to drive past you and they turn off leaving you and traffic behind you waiting. Or waiting on a Roundabout the other person coming is indicating to turn left and they continue. on and turns off at the next junction exit. You start to pull out thinking they are taking the junction off before and you start to pull out and have to stop suddenly. How many accidents have been caused by the incorrect use or non use of indicators by other drivers.
Be thankful you live in the U.K. – it’s a prevalent offence for all age groups in France and Spain!
INDICATORS ??????? Are they fixed to modern cars ? I often have to be a mind reader to understand when or if a vehicle is likely to change lanes. In the same way are those who overtake at a motorway exit simply to use it, rather than wait just a second or two !
I have seen older people with sticks getting into cars with great difficulty. How can they do an emergency stop if needed. I also new someone who was waiting for a cataract operation but insisted on still driving, surely their GP could ask them if they are still driving and advise them accordingly or tell them not to drive if it was felt they could cause an accident.
I myself am 73yrs old, female and drive a lot, having family quite a distance away. I wouldn’t mind having a fitness test and eye test every three years when I need to renew my licence.
Age should not be the restriction, statistics show that younger drivers have more accidents than older drivers, if any form of testing is to be implemented, it should apply to all.
The world of motoring wants to slow down a little the odd second you think you save by doing 80 mph is always lost at the next junction, the law as it stands is perfectly adequate. there is not a day goes by when our local radio traffic report tells of a accident on the local major routes through Essex.
IMO if you keep fit, Health is good, pass all the requirements, manditory web cam in cars, which proves who is right and who is wrong. I am 64. No penalty points, I see everyday mobile phone use by the young and middle aged. Older generation do not generally do this, I have never noticed an OAP using a phone. At 70 you have to get a GP medical cert to retain all parts of your license. which is every three years. Yes I agree a fitness to drive test, for over 70s. Done every 3 years. I remember the old blue driving licence here in Northern Ireland the back cover had the 3 Cs, Care, Courtesey and Consideration. I see very little of that today amongst younger drivers.
I used to work for one of the UK’s leading Insurance companies and after a certain age, Drivers had to produce a Medical Certificate from their GP, that they were fit to drive.
No idea whether this is still the case; if not, it would seem a sensible system for DVLA to require Insurers to request a Certificate after a certain age.
Over 70s have 2 accidents per 1,000 drivers. 17 to 24 year olds have 9 accidents per 1,000 drivers. Perhaps we should ban drivers under 24.
Every 70 year old should be given an autonamous vehicle – that will ensure that they can’t be blamed for the accident!
Do your figures take into account all the younger people driving vehicles illegally???
Reduce speed limits
The law needs to be updated for all drivers to have a eye test every 3 years , a health check every 5 years & a full medical every 2 years from the age of 70 years old
NHS eye tests cannot pick out all cataract problems. I was too dazzled in sunlight to see properly because of my cataracts. I passed the NHS test because it does not include include a bright light test,, and was told the bright light assessment had been removed from the standard assessment for NHS cataract surgery. Is this true?
I went on and paid for private cataract removal. Now passed an assessment driving test to bronze medal ROSPA standard and a DVLA special eye test. NHS eye test should be upgraded?
Totally agree M Cheetham