Carry on Cruising - Driving at 80

That’s ‘years of age’, not ‘miles per hour’ by the way. This is an article about the tortoise, not the hare.

In 1971 13% of the UK population were over 65 and only 15% of them had driving licences. In 2009 the figure rose to 17% of the population being over 65, with an increase in population size, and the number of driving licences was up to 57%. And it is thought that by 2030 over 90% of men over 70 will still be driving.

There are more older drivers on our roads than ever before, and while drivers over 70 are considered as safe as drivers who are 25, drivers who are 80 or more are considered less safe. However, they’re still safer than teenage drivers.

In many ways older drivers are safer than younger ones – they are less likely to be involved in drink-drive accidents or single car incidents. They are also more likely to leave longer distances between cars and many will avoid driving in heavy traffic, long trips, night driving and motorways if possible. They also tend to drive more slowly.

All of which shows that most older drivers are sensible about their abilities and limits – they know their reactions are not what they once were and how quickly fatigue can set in. However, that is not the whole story.

While older drivers may adapt their driving style to their condition to make themselves safer, 1 in 38 driving casualties over 80 are likely to be fatal, compared with 1 in 141 for drivers in their 20s. Drivers over 80 are 2.5 times more likely to die in a collision than drivers in their 40s. All are figures that car insurance companies will take into account when calculating an over 80 car insurance premium. Older driver deaths and serious injuries are falling though, but not as much casualties overall. Most likely this is because the number of older drivers is increasing as the UK population size increases.

In an effort to make themselves even safer on the roads older drivers could also try changing their car: getting one with big windows and larger mirrors can help with all-round visibility but also get a car with a smaller engine. There are also some really impressive safety features available in cars these days, ranging from parking sensors to blind spot alert systems and lane drifting sensors, all of which could help - if you have the money to spend.

It’s also worth remembering that everyone must reapply for their driving licence at the age of 70 and then every 3 years after that. And if you develop any medical conditions or are given any medicine it’s always worth asking the doctor if you are ok to drive. Remember: any medical conditions must be submitted to both the DVLA and your car insurance provider to ensure you are both safe and legal to drive. You should also get a regular eye test to ensure you meet the legal requirement for sight.