W Schlackman, P Curtis, E M Wood, J T CarrConsultants: Schlackman Group
Cost: 45,000
Published: October 1988
Skills necessary for safe driving begin to deteriorate at about age 55, and perhaps decline dramatically in later years. The proportion of older people in the United Kingdom population is rising steadily, and dependence on the car for mobility is also increasing.
The intention of this 1987-1988 study was to explore the use of the car by older people, to identify their problems and to develop constructive advice. Extensive use was made of market research techniques with respondents who, while asserting their competence, were not necessarily confident of their skills and who might have sought to suppress their own doubts.
Main findings and recommendations of the report were:
- cars are of great importance to older people and are necessary for maintenance of lifestyle;
- giving up driving affects lifestyle; the possibility needs to be recognised and planned for accordingly;
- speed limits are considered about right, but a significant proportion of respondents felt the 60mph limit on all-purpose roads should be reduced;
- junctions represent a risk that is not recognised by older drivers;
- headlamp glare deters many from driving at night;
- older drivers maintain that their driving performance has not declined since the age of 50, but have adjusted actual driving behaviour to compensate for changes;
- opticians and doctors are a regular point of contact and represent a channel for communication;
- a majority of older drivers who take medication have no great awareness of its possible adverse effects on driving ability;
- health, doctor's advice and affordability are noted as the prime reasons for ceasing to drive;
- the decision to give up driving is a personal one, but by the age of 75, drivers believe their skills will have deteriorated to the point where they should consider giving up;
- the UK's "After 70" procedure relating to licence renewal is believed to work satisfactorily;
- more advice and guidance about ceasing to drive, and on adjusting driving behaviour to compensate for the effects of ageing, are strongly desired. This must be presented in a constructive and positive manner.
In October 1989 the Foundation arranged a conference in London to discuss the problems of older drivers. Many researchers and road safety practitioners were in the audience of 150, and the event received widespread media attention.
The AA and the Medical Commission on Accident Prevention also formed a working group to consider the Foundation's study and other findings, and to recommend action to help older drivers to continue to drive safely. Its report Helping the Older Driver was published in the autumn of 1990 and, among other recommendations, highlighted the role that general practitioners can play in advising older patients about continuing to drive.
A summary of Helping the Older Driver was produced later in the 1990s and was made available to Family Health Service Authorities and their Scottish and Northern Irish equivalents. The summary was distributed through these bodies to many general practitioners in the UK.
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