Years of expertise are valuable on the road, but are older drivers looking the other way when it comes to health? That’s the concern voiced by police, following accidents where illness played a part in avoidable accidents.
Drivers over 70 can be highly capable – and taking an honest look at your health is part and parcel of being responsible behind the wheel. That can mean taking a driver medical when your health conditions change.
But it’s worth checking up on your health to catch any changes before they make themselves known.
Better Safe than Sorry
The police have spoken out to remind drivers that it’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to health awareness.
We all grow older and our eyesight and some of our abilities diminish over the course of time — but we don’t always notice… If you have an older relative or friend who drives, remind them to have their eyesight routinely checked; and if they have concerns about their health, get them to speak to a GP.
Sergeant Nick Tucker, Hampshire Constabulary
The Hampshire Constabulary’s comments were prompted by an incident in the area. Earlier this year, a 70-year-old driver attempted to reverse near the River Beaulieu in the New Forest National Park. He became disorientated and manoeuvred onto a boat launch in error, sending the car into the river below.
Fortunately for the driver, locals saw what was happening and brought him out of the water to safety. The suspected cause of the mistake? After the incident, the driver was assessed as suffering from previously undiagnosed vascular dementia, which can cause confusion.
It’s not the only incident of its kind, where a driver’s capability has been impaired by declining health. Older drivers in particular need to be aware of conditions that can themselves felt as time goes on.
Worsening eyesight and conditions like dementia are among the issues that have caused the authorities concern. They are also among the health conditions that drivers need to declare to the DVLA.
Why Driver Medicals Are More than Box-Ticking
As cases like this one highlight, honest conversations about health can make the difference when it comes to safe driving. Government statistics show that when it comes to drivers over 70, driver illness or disability is the fourth most common contributary factor in accidents.
Declaring medical conditions doesn’t automatically mean an end to driving. But the DVLA does expect the licence holder to take a driver medical assessment if they’re affected by the listed ailments.
If you or a relative have noticed a change in your health, then it’s important to seek out medical advice. An assessment can also take out the guesswork, and provide a professional opinion on a difficult subject.
Doctors carrying out driver medicals are aware that health concerns may not be equally severe in every case. Unfortunately, certain conditions can progress with time, which is why they also ask for medical assessments at intervals.
How Often Are Driver Medicals Needed for Older Drivers?
A driver who passes the medical examination must renew their licence every three years with a fitness to drive certificate or medical assessment completed by a doctor.
The Road Safety Act 2006 means that all driving licences expire at the age of 70. At this point, drivers have to renew every 3 years. As part of this process, drivers must declare illnesses that can impair them on the road.
As professional drivers will know, their requirements are more stringent due to longer hours spent on the road. The D4 medical is required every 5 years from the age of 45. Once they reach the age of 65, HGV and LGV drivers need to undergo medical assessments every year.