Older drivers 'should be helped, not tested'

27/01/2020 | CHRIS AMES

The RAC Foundation has called for older drivers to be offered higher levels of in-car technology rather any system of mass driver licence re-testing.

There are already 5.5 million driving licence holders in Britain aged 70 or over, which the motoring research charity said was a 41% increase on the equivalent figure of 3.9 million in 2012.

The RAC Foundation’s review of global research relating to older driver safety says that while most older drivers are ‘very safe’, their relative frailty means they are more vulnerable to death and injury when involved in a crash.

The report says evidence points to older drivers trying to self-regulate their driving – for example not driving at night or in the rush hour – in recognition of their declining abilities, but they need to be given more objective information.

The RAC Foundation said one method could be the use of in-car telematics systems like those commonly provided with insurance policies aimed at young people. These black boxes sense and record how vehicles are being driven and this data could highlight to older drivers their driving strengths and weaknesses.

The RAC Foundation said that by contrast with the potential of technology, international evidence 'shows that it is extremely difficult to devise a system of mass retesting which produces meaningful road safety gains'.

The charity said driver-assist technologies such as collision warnings, lane departure alerts, fatigue detection systems and cross-traffic assistance are also recognised by older drivers as being helpful. More basic technology, such as parking assist, help make every-day, low-level tasks simpler and quicker.

However, manufacturers must ensure systems are easy and intuitive to use, and that warning signals are easily identifiable and do not create extra confusion or stress for drivers, the charity said.

Report author Julie Gandolfi of Driving Research Ltd said: ‘Never before have older drivers had access to so much assistance from vehicle technology, and whilst there were early concerns about a lack of technological familiarity on their part, the literature suggests that appetite among the older driver population for engagement with vehicle technology does exist and that with appropriate training and guidance, it can offer significant safety benefits and help extend safe driving into older age.

‘On that basis, it appears that the older drivers of today and tomorrow have access to a comprehensive toolkit giving them the opportunity to drive safely for longer than previous generations – the challenge for the road safety industry lies in helping them to use it effectively.’

Highways InProfile

latest magazine issue
Highways jobs

Senior Parking Officer

£38934 - £40755 per annum + n/a
Senior Parking Officer (Business Team) About Us Our Greenwich Plan sets out our vision for the next 4 years focusing on the changes we collectively wa England, London, Woolwich
Recruiter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

Parking Design Engineer

£34416 - £44331 per annum
Parking Design Engineer (Career Graded SC6-PO2) About Us Our Greenwich Plan sets out our vision for the next 4 years focusing on the changes we colle England, London, Woolwich
Recruiter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

Development Engineer

£35,967 - £41,268 per annum
Bexley is an outer London Borough with the best of both worlds. Bexley (City/Town), London (Greater)
Recruiter: London Borough of Bexley

Head of Highways Services

Level 14
North Somerset Council
Recruiter: North Somerset Council

Principal Transportation & Infrastructure Planner

£54889.0000 - £64576.0000 per annum + Flexible Working, Hybrid Working
The Opportunity The Principal Transportation and Infrastructure Planner engages with strategic partners, to devise and co-ordinate land use transpo England, Essex, Chelmsford
Recruiter: Essex County Council

Mechanic (LCV/LGV) x2

£33,366 – £35,235
We are seeking a suitably qualified and experienced, LCV/LGV Mechanic Accrington, Lancashire
Recruiter: Hyndburn Borough Council

Engineer, Highways Asset Maintenance CDC

Grade 9, £38,653 - £42,728
City of Doncaster employs around 4,300 staff, who work together with Team Doncaster partners Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recruiter: City Of Doncaster Council

Head of Fleet and Depot Services

Circa £80,000
It couldn’t be a better time to join Merton Council. Merton, London (Greater)
Recruiter: London Borough of Merton

Fleet Officer

£34,416 - £35,448
We are seeking a proactive and detail-oriented Fleet Officer to join our team. Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recruiter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

Team Leader LGV Driver

£27,711 - £30,559, Grade 6, 37 hours, Permanent
An exciting opportunity exists in the Council’s Street Scene Services for a Team Leader LGV Driver Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Team Leader LGV Driver (Seasonal Post)

£20,783.25 - £22,919.25, Grade 6, 27.25 hours, Permanent
An exciting opportunity exists in the Council’s Street Scene Services for a Team Leader LGV Driver Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Network Manager

Grade 14, £56,385 to £60,592 per annum
Ready for your next big challenge in highways management? Isle of Wight
Recruiter: Isle of Wight Council

Transport Strategy Officer

Grade 12, £45,647 to £47,966 per annum
The council are looking for a Transport Strategy Officer who will play a leading role in what is both locally and nationally a very dynamic area. Isle of Wight
Recruiter: Isle of Wight Council

Highway Asset Officer (Design/Delivery)

£34,314 - £37,938 per annum
Are you passionate about making a difference in your community? Devon
Recruiter: Devon County Council

Trainee Sign Shop Technician

£25998 - £31469
Job TitleTrainee Sign Shop Tec... Wandsworth, London, UK
Recruiter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Senior Highways Technician x 2 positions - WMF1684e

£33,366 - £34,314
We are looking for strong communicators, as you will provide advice and guidance to colleagues. Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Programme Control Officer - Capital Programmes - WMF1686e

£37,035 - £37,938
The Programme Control Officer role will mainly be focussed on managing and controlling a wide variety of programme delivery information. Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Highways Officer - South

G7
Lincolnshire County Council
Recruiter: Lincolnshire County Council

Assistant Highways Officer - South

£26,409 - £29,093
Lincolnshire County Council would like to know how you feel about potholes! Lincolnshire / South
Recruiter: Lincolnshire County Council

Assistant Highways Officer - West

£26,409 - £29,093
Lincolnshire County Council would like to know how you feel about potholes! Lincolnshire / West
Recruiter: Lincolnshire County Council
SUBSCRIBE NOW

Latest Video

Subscribe to Highways today to ensure you keep your finger on the pulse of everything happening in the UK road network throughout the year.

SUBSCRIBE NOW