Older motorists urged to consider ‘retirement from driving'

Older road users have been urged to consider "retiring from driving” and give up their driving licence completely. Experts at Driving Mobility suggested some individuals should consider handing over their freedoms to boost road safety. They urged road users struggling behind the wheel to “make the right decision” and think properly about whether they are safe behind the wheel.

According to previous research by the AA , most drivers in the UK choose to give up their licence and stop driving by the age of 75. However, there are no DVLA rules in the UK around which state when motorists must give up their licence and stop travelling if they are still safe. Driving Mobility explained: “Just about everything involves risk, and motoring is no exception.



“By understanding the risk and taking steps to minimise it, you can help keep yourself and others safe. “We therefore offer advice to help drivers think about their driving and make the right decisions to stay safe and independent. “This may include retirement from driving, or how to continue driving safely and comfortably, or how families can help older drivers stay on the road for as long as possible.

” Motorists are not required to undergo any formal testing to prove their skills in order to keep hold of their licence when they reach older age. However, road users must renew their licence at 70 and then every three years after this point. Road users are required to reveal any possible medical conditions which could affect their ability to drive.

Some cases are studied by the DVLA with officials having the power to revoke licences if motorists are considered to pose a risk if they continue to get behind the wheel. The Older Drivers Forum said road users who are not safe to drive could put themselves and other motorists at serious risk. They said: ‘The time may come when it is simply no longer possible for you to continue to drive safely, and for your own sake, and the sake of other people on the road, you must stop driving, and give up your driving licence.

“If you carry on driving when you are no longer safe to do so, you would be putting yourself, and other people (your passengers, pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and people in other vehicles) at risk.”.