Older people more likely to make errors on the road
Posted by Susannah Mayers
Older people are more likely than any other age group to make driving errors, RoadSafe has claimed.
Clare Simpson, communications executive for the forum, said that it is age-related declines in mental and physical abilities that make older motorists more prone to mistakes behind the wheel.
"Cars are important for independence and this can make them a lifeline for older people. To maintain this freedom RoadSafe advises drivers of all ages to go for regular health checks," she advised.
Her comments follow the recent publication of research by the University of Rochester, which found that the driving skills of the elderly could diminish because they find it difficult to block out unwanted background detail.
A team of scientists behind the study was led by assistant professor Duje Tadin.
Ms Simpson also said that modern cars, such as those with raised seats for easy access, can prove helpful to the elderly.
There was a local story here of an old lady who drove on the wrong side of the freeway for a long time and didn’t get the hint when other cars honked at her. She waved them off and kept going. Older people definitely need to get tested on a frequent basis. Maybe even yearly.