Driver controls are pointless for seniors

In fact, the elderly in Switzerland should drive safer than in our neighboring countries, Germany and Austria. Since the 1970s, a medical examination for driving eligibility is mandatory every two years from age 75 (ages 70 to 2019). Family doctors clarify whether the seniors called upon meet the minimum medical requirements to drive. There is no such investigation in Germany and Austria.

The Accident Prevention Advisory Center (BFU) has now examined the benefits and outcomes of these medical studies in one study. For this purpose, interviews were made with the elderly, doctors and road traffic authorities and statistical data were included.

accidents involving the elderly

The result is surprising. Regarding the daily distance traveled by car, the elderly in Switzerland cause about the same number of serious traffic accidents as in Germany or Austria. The BFU concluded that mandatory check-up had only a minor positive impact on road safety.

Accident numbers from 2015 to 2019 show that older drivers cause more accidents than their share of the population. On average, people over the age of 70 were responsible for 323 accidents with serious injury or death, which means 18 percent of all accidents. accidents. The ratio of the population over the age of 70 in the total population is 13 percent.

assessment of one’s own abilities

The survey of older people also showed that the check-up had almost no positive side effects. Officials hoped older drivers would check their driving skills themselves when called for the test (you can find common mistakes made by seniors here). However, this is not the case. Those who consider themselves fit to drive do not reflect on their own abilities. However, those who rarely drive or find driving stressful often see the union as an opportunity to voluntarily hand over their driver’s licenses.

potential for improvement

In principle, old drivers support check-up. However, many will find it good to supplement or replace it with a driving test. Because the examination tells nothing about their true abilities. Many also welcome a reaction test and think it makes sense to take a few driving lessons or attend further training every few years (read about online courses for older drivers here). But the truth, according to the research, shows that this doesn’t work without the right conditions. There are already volunteer offers from driving instructors for senior citizens – but these are rarely booked.

The doctors’ perspective is also interesting: They state that age-related check-ups strain their relationship with their patients. On the one hand, probably because not all complaints were voiced for fear of losing his license. Or, if it is understood that the patient is unable to drive as a result of the check-up, the relationship between the patient and the doctor may be shaken.

life without license

It remains unclear how often senior citizens’ licenses are revoked as a result of the examination. The BFU concludes from surveys that between one and four percent of people surveyed are no longer fit to drive.

What remains indisputable in the study is how important the car (here, the best cars for seniors) is for independence, especially in old age. Research shows that this independence has a direct impact on life satisfaction. Those who had to give up their licenses still felt slightly less satisfied than those who were allowed to drive on their own. Therefore, any adjustments to check-up should primarily focus on maintaining seniors’ driving skills and promoting safe mobility in old age – it takes work.

Requests from the study

The BFU recommends continuing the check-up for now. After increasing the age at first inspection from 70 to 75 in 2019, it remains to be seen how this will affect road safety. If the number of serious accidents caused by older drivers does not increase, the BFU believes that the age limit could even be raised to 80. However, in the absence of any negative consequences in terms of road safety, it can be discussed later whether the roadworthiness test should be abolished.

Until then, the BFU demands that investigations be conducted in a uniform manner. There is a huge variation from doctor to doctor today. In addition, the driver’s license should not always be withdrawn immediately, the restricted driver’s license should be checked. Possible conditions may be a night driving ban or limitation of validity to the known local area. This can enable the mobility of the elderly without having to take unnecessary risks on unconventional routes. And finally, older drivers should be made aware of the advantages and correct use of assistive systems.