Experts are calling on elderly drivers to ensure they tell the DVLA about important medical conditions or they could be forced off the road following calls for older people to face fitness tests.
There have been growing calls for elderly motorists to face fitness tests and health check-ups when applying to renew their driving licences, which are not currently in action.
When someone reaches the age of 70, they are required to renew their licence as standard, although they will need to do so every three years, rather than every 10 years for younger motorists.
Elderly drivers have come under increased scrutiny in recent weeks following the fatal incident involving 91-year-old Edith Duncan killing three-year-old Xander Irvine.
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Elderly drivers are required to renew their licence every three years once they turn 70
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Sheriff Principal Nigel Ross published a report at a fatal accident inquiry saying that the regime of self-certification of fitness for drivers over the age of 70 was “significantly defective”.
Duncan had age-related frontotemporal dementia which impacted her condition. The report stated that her licence would have been revoked since she was unfit to be behind the wheel.
Sheriff Principal Ross suggested that any application for renewal by a driver aged 80 or older should not be granted unless the applicant driver has successfully undertaken a “short initial cognitive assessment”.
A spokesperson for the DVLA said: “Road safety is our absolute priority and we are carefully considering the sheriff’s recommendations.
“All drivers must ensure that they meet the medical standards for driving and notify us of the onset or worsening of a medical condition affecting their ability to drive.”
Craig Delahaye, Associate Director of Legal Operations at National Accident Helpline, spoke to GB News and said that many older motorists would not be aware that they shouldn’t be driving.
He noted that this is why drivers need to alert the DVLA of their medical conditions if it could potentially affect their ability behind the wheel.
The expert said it was “important” for motorists to inform the DVLA after reading the list of applicable conditions on the GOV.UK website.
Drivers are advised to inform the DVLA about medical conditions or disabilities including diabetes or taking insulin, syncope (fainting), heart conditions (including pacemakers), sleep apnoea, epilepsy, strokes and glaucoma.
Delahaye added: “Of course, each situation is a case-by-case basis, with precautions that all drivers, regardless of age can take before getting behind the wheel.
“However, it would be a shame to see a whole generation cut off from their relied-upon mode of transport, just because of their age.
“Instead of pointing the finger in these situations, we should instead endeavour to educate and support each other to enable the rules to be understood and the roads to be safer for everyone.”
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There have been calls for elderly drivers to pass a fitness test before they get their licence
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The DVLA warns that drivers could be fined up to £1,000 if they do not tell the agency about a condition that could affect their ability to drive safely.
In certain cases, including those with involve serious injuries or even deaths, it can be considered that they were driving dangerously before an accident, potentially leading to prosecution and prison time.
