Politics · United Kingdom · 23 hrs ago
Scotland considers driving assessments for older motorists
Police Scotland, road safety groups and Transport Scotland are considering a Scotland-wide driving assessment scheme after a pilot in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.
Drivers over 70 who were referred took a road test with an assessor, an eye test and a check of their mental faculties.
Of 107 drivers referred, 49 per cent were judged unsafe, and many were told to surrender their licences.
Others were given advice on improving their safety, such as getting better glasses.
Scotland’s licences expire at 70 and must be renewed every three years, but drivers do not have to take a test to renew them.
The assessments could help identify safety risks as official figures show drivers over 60 are involved in 22 per cent of crashes causing serious injuries and 24.8 per cent of fatal collisions in Scotland.
The scheme’s recommendations are now under consideration by partner agencies.
Police Scotland, road safety groups and Transport Scotland are considering whether to expand a pilot scheme assessing older drivers across Scotland.
The pilot referred 107 drivers aged over 70 for evaluation, and 49 per cent had an outcome recorded as unsafe.
Assessments included a road drive with an assessor in a dual-control car, an eye test and a check of mental faculties.
Under current rules, licences expire at 70 and drivers must reapply every three years, but they do not have to sit a test.
Official figures cited in the article say drivers over 60 are involved in 22 per cent of serious-injury crashes and 24.8 per cent of fatal collisions in Scotland.
- Who
- Police Scotland, road safety groups and Transport Scotland are considering the scheme.
- What
- They are considering extending assessments of older drivers across Scotland. The pilot assessed drivers referred over concerns about their driving.
- When
- The pilot took place last year, and the agencies are now considering recommendations.
- Where
- Scotland; the pilot was in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.
- Why
- The pilot found that 49 per cent of participants had an unsafe outcome. The scheme aims to assess whether drivers remain safe on the road.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Police Scotland ran a trial in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, inviting older drivers and people concerned about them to seek evaluations.
107 older drivers were referred: 44 by police officers, 32 by the NHS and 31 by the DVLA.
Police Scotland confirmed that recommendations from the pilot were being considered by partner agencies.
- Drivers referred
- 107
- Unsafe outcomes
- 49 per cent of participants
- Police referrals
- 44
- NHS referrals
- 32
- DVLA referrals
- 31
- Serious-injury crashes
- 22 per cent involved drivers over 60
What people are saying
Following the successful completion of the Senior Driver Fitness to Drive Evaluations pilot scheme, recommendations have been made to partner agencies and are being considered.
This project is not about removing driving licences from older drivers, it is an opportunity for them to ensure that they are still safe to be driving and about providing them with the tools to continue doing so.
It can be a very difficult conversation for any family member or friend to have with their loved ones.
Look out for new dents or scrapes on the car, difficulty navigating familiar routes, or delayed reactions at traffic lights and junctions.