Many elderly drivers should not be on the road

The government needs to make it harder for older people to get driver’s licenses, but also to provide old people with alternatives to driving cars, says a leading road safety expert.

Clive Matthew-Wilson, editor of the car review website dogandlemon.com, was commenting after two elderly women were killed after driving the wrong way down a highway.

“After teenage males, old people are one of the highest risk groups on our roads. Old people drive because cars give them a sense of independence, but also, they drive because they have little choice.”

“The entire New Zealand transport system is based around cars and trucks, with very few alternatives. Old people, in particular, tend to live in places that are distant from convenient public transport. In rural areas there’s often no public transport at all.”

“Developers are allowed to build retirement villages or shopping centres in the middle of some field, a long way from the nearest train or bus stop. Therefore, old people using that facility will probably need to go by car. You can’t expect the elderly to willingly give up their cars until the government starts organising the transport system in a way that’s far more friendly to old people.”

“The government needs to create a national strategy aimed at providing old people with alternatives to using cars and encouraging old people to use these alternatives. For example, the government could help fund special buses to take old people shopping or bowling. The government should also require developers to provide easy access to public transport, rather than basing developments solely around carparks.”

“Clearly, there are a number of old people who are no longer able to drive safely. They should be kept off our roads. However, it’s not simply a question of banning old people from driving. The government needs to give elderly people alternatives to using cars. Otherwise, these terrible accidents will continue.”

A 2009 AA study of 300 fatal crashes found:

“Fatigue is a huge issue…for commercial drivers, older people and tourists. Commercial drivers with debts and demanding customers bend the law to take on more work than they should. Older people succumb to body rhythms, especially in the afternoon….
… a fifth of fatal crashes involved an older person being killed. …. older people who are losing their judgment.”