Media contributions
1Media contributions
Title Are older driver safe? Degree of recognition National Media name/outlet BBC Radio 5 Media type Radio Duration/Length/Size starts at 1h17 Country/Territory United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Date 06 Jan 2026 Description Key evidence-based points:
Older adults are not inherently unsafe drivers.
Collision rates per mile rise mainly in the very oldest age groups, largely due to frailty and injury severity, not reckless driving.
Many older drivers compensate effectively by driving less and avoiding high-risk situations.
Eyesight matters, but visual acuity alone is a weak predictor of crash risk; glare, contrast sensitivity, and low-light vision are often more relevant.
There is no single test (vision or cognitive) that reliably identifies unsafe drivers.
International experience shows that blunt, age-based testing can have unintended consequences, including removing safe drivers.
If introduced, eyesight testing may be most valuable in prompting reflection and informed decision-making, rather than acting as a simple pass–fail tool. Improving safety for an ageing population requires supportive policy, age-friendly road design, and realistic transport alternatives alongside any testing.URL https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002pd99 Persons Charles Musselwhite