Older drivers above the age of 70 have been warned by a leading expert they must follow a “legal obligation” to stay on the roads this summer. By law, every driver has to let officials know if they develop any health conditions that could put them at risk on the roads.
Motorists suffering from any problems with their vision such as cataracts, glaucoma or night blindness are likely to be asked to hand over their driving licence and stay off the roads. Meanwhile, those with serious ailments such as Parkinson’s disease, dementia or heart-related health concerns are also required to let DVLA chiefs know. However, many less serious issues such as high blood pressure, diabetes and even anxiety should all be reported.
Older drivers are one of the most affected age groups with several conditions more likely to develop later in life.
Ian Wilson, car insurance expert and Managing Director at Tiger.co.uk warned that road users had a responsibility to keep themselves and others safe.
He said: “We all want to stay independent for as long as possible, and driving is an important part of that independence for many older people.
“However, if you are worried that your driving is not as good as it once was – maybe your reaction times are noticeably slower or your eyesight is getting worse – you may want to consider talking to your GP about your fitness to drive.
“Our survey results show almost a third of respondents think more checks should be in place to monitor drivers once they reach 70 years old.”
He warned: “Ultimately, we each bear individual responsibility for assessing our own capabilities behind the wheel – this includes a legal obligation to inform the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) of any health conditions that may impede your ability to drive.”
Back in March 2023, the DVLA released data showing that elderly motorists were disproportionately represented in the driving licence casework.
At the time, officials revealed 16,000 single medical issues were being looked into among motorists aged 70 to 79, more than any other age group.
Meanwhile, data from the time revealed that 10,000 individuals of this age range showed signs of having multiple medical conditions.
GOV.UK explained motorists can report their condition online or by printing off a form and posting it back.
However, forgetting to update officials or deciding to simply keep it quiet isn’t acceptable with road users likely to be slapped with heavy fines.
They explained: “You need to tell the DVLA about some medical conditions as they can affect your driving.
“You can be fined up to £1,000 if you do not tell DVLA about a medical condition that affects your driving.”