Mike said: “Road safety should be a priority across all age groups, not just the elderly.
“One area that deserves more attention is the role of technological advancements in improving road safety.
“Many modern vehicles are equipped with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), such as automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, and adaptive cruise control, which can significantly reduce the risk of collisions.
“However, a lack of awareness and understanding of these technologies, particularly among older drivers, can limit their effectiveness.
“We should be encouraging wider adoption of ADAS through better education, manufacturer-led initiatives, and even incentives for drivers to take refresher courses focusing on in-car safety technology.
“Embracing these innovations, alongside practical safety measures, will ensure a more balanced, ability-focused approach to road safety.”
Many of the modern car safety features can be activated or deactivated using a switch on the car’s infotainment screen.
Previous data from Brake and AXA found that 28% of 65–74-year-olds were unsure which safety features their car was fitted with.
This number increased to 33% for those road users aged 75 and above – massively up on the 31% average across all age groups.
Analysis also shows that elderly road users are more likely to drive slightly older vehicles, which are unlikely to have many safety features installed.
A staggering 56% of drivers aged 75 and above get behind the wheel of a car built over eight years ago.
The Older Drivers Forum backed driver assistance technology but urged individuals to always ask for help.
They said: “The important thing is to make sure when changing your car you get the dealer to show you and explain everything. It is essential that plenty of time is allowed at the dealer handover for familiarisation with new features.
“Why not think about getting some instruction from an Approved Driving Instructor so you become fully converse with the new car.”