Older drivers are unlikely to benefit from retaking their driving test or receiving additional lessons. This is according to new research published in the United States.
There are now 2.5 million licence holders over the age of 75 driving on UK roads, and there have been calls for older drivers to retake their driving test once they hit 70. Licences automatically expire when a driver reaches 70. To renew it, they must complete a self-assessment declaring they are medically fit to continue driving.
There’s no test to pass, although drivers must be able to read a number plate from 20m away. Their licence must then be renewed every three years.
The new research, published in the journal Accident Analysis and Prevention, suggests classroom-based activities, web-delivered lectures on road safety, simulator training and in-car lessons had ‘no significant effect’ on driving performance and minimising the chance of crash.
Only skill-specific interventions had a significant impact on the performance of older drivers. Such interventions include cognitive, visual-perceptual and physical training.
BrainHQ is like an online gym for brain exercising and training. One exercise is Double Decision, which is designed to speed up processing and expand useful field of view. This is how quickly and accurately a driver can see details, including anything in their peripheral vision, when looking straight ahead.
Studies show that when a driver with slow processing uses Double Decision, they make 38 percent fewer dangerous driving manoeuvres. They also cut their at-fault crash risk by 48 percent.
Education ‘doesn’t help much’
“Older drivers have a lot of experience – they haven’t forgotten how to drive,” said BrainHQ CEO and lead developer Dr. Henry Mahncke.
“Giving them drivers education classes again doesn’t help much. The science shows what’s effective is training the brain to be faster and more accurate.”
Last year, IAM RoadSmart called for a new debate on how to make older drivers safe behind the wheel. It cited research by Swansea University showing that drivers aged 70 and over are four times less likely to be involved in a road traffic incident than those aged 17 to 24.
Neil Greig, IAM RoadSmart director of policy and research, said: “Contrary to popular opinion, the evidence is clear: older drivers remain one of the safest groups behind the wheel.
“So as the number of older people continues to expand at a significant rate, it’s crucial that we face up to this growing issue and develop solutions that will enable older people to stay driving for as long as they are safe to do so.”
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) has published a list of safe driving tips for older drivers.
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