Drivers over 70 are no more likely to cause crashes than any other driver, and are considerably safer than younger drivers, according to this report published by the IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists). Key findings of this report are: •In the next 20 years the number of male drivers over 70 will double, female drivers will treble. •Drivers over 70 are safer on bends and overtaking than 50 year olds, but are more at risk at roundabouts, junctions and slip roads on high speed roads. •In some traffic situations, older drivers are less likely to be in a crash because they tend to adopt a more careful and restrained driving style. •No particular age was identified where there is sudden increase in crash involvement. •Older drivers self regulate and take fewer trips on motorways, in poor light or wet weather, or at peak times. •Drivers over 85 are four times more likely to have caused a crash than to have been an innocent victim of one. •Crashes in which older women are to blame peak about five years earlier than those for older men. The IAM strongly believes that there is no case for compulsory retesting of older drivers at an arbitrary age. More research is needed on the best age to renew driving licences and there needs to be a wider debate on the introduction of restricted licensing. (Author/publisher) This report may be accessed by Internet users at http://www.iam.org.uk/images/stories/reports/IAMOlderdrivers.pdf
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