Older drivers urged to refresh skills

A leading road safety charity has revived a scheme to encourage older motorists to refresh their skills and extend their driving lifetimes.

Statistics have shown that people in this age group are some of the UK’s safest drivers, which is reflected in their low car insurance premiums.

Older drivers can often lose their confidence as reaction time is sometimes slower, and roads are getting increasingly busier. The charity wants to provide new stimulus for pensioners who can drive and increase their confidence on the roads.

The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) Mature Drivers Assessment (MDA) involves a one-hour test, which can give senior motorists valuable reassurances before they reapply for their licence upon turning 70.

IAM chief executive Simon Best said: “this assessment helps keep older people driving for as long as it’s safe to do so.”

“It also gives elderly drivers and their families the information they need so that they can choose the right time to give up driving.”

Drivers will be evaluated in their own car, with the assessor giving an independent opinion on how well they did and how they could improve.

The IAM found that a significantly low number of drivers aged 70-something had been disqualified, and there’s even less chance with those over 80. Comparing this with drivers in the 20-30 age bracket, older drivers come out on top.

With the IAM having already assisted many motorists in regaining their former confidence, the test should be able to help many more.

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