News Archive
Ageing Motorists Could Increase Motoring Risk
March 14, 2012
Older drivers require a “national strategy” suggests the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety (PACTS).
A new report by PACTS has called for a national strategy as a new report has suggested that the reduction in deaths and serious injury amongst older motorists is still very slow.
The study shows that almost 60% of over-70s have a driving licence, compared with a mere 15% in 1975 and suggests that a national strategy for the ageing population is absolutely vital. There is a chance that this strategy implementation could affect the cost of their car insurance premiums.
Further data from the report also shows that there are 80% of 60 – 69 year olds with licences who are likely to remain on the roads for a further 20 years. In addition to this 80% of people aged between 30 and 39 also have driving licences and are expected to continue driving until 2050 at the very least.
The current system allows older motorists to continue driving until they decide that they are unsafe to continue to do so, under self-regulation. They simply fill in a form when they hit 70 and state that they are safe to continue driving.
As a result the report states that research must be done to ensure that this is working effectively and identify ways it could be improved.
Source: http://money.aol.co.uk/2012/03/12/boom-in-older-drivers-raises-risk/?icid=money%7CDL_4_link