RETIREMENT
RAC: PENSIONERS SHOULD BE TAUGHT TO DRIVE ALL OVER AGAIN
RAC: Should pensioners be taight to drive all over again?
By Donna Bowater
EXPERTS at the RAC have called for extra driving training for people over 70 after more than 80 per cent said they would like to take a refresher course to keep up to speed.
In a report out today, the motoring organisation, RAC, found as many as 84 per cent of older drivers would like the chance to refresh their driving skills with more than half wanting extra support for driving in winter conditions.
Two out of five said they would like a course to cover driving on motorways and dual carriageways while a third wanted to learn more about their cars including how to use satellite navigation systems.
Backing the findings in the RAC Report on Motoring, racing legend Sir Stirling Moss OBE said: “As an 80-year-old driver, I can clearly relate to the topic of elderly motorists and I support the idea of tests for the older generation.
“So many things have changed since we first started driving. Road layouts have been altered and the density of traffic has risen enormously, especially in the cities.”
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As an 80-year-old driver, I can clearly relate to the topic of elderly motorists and I support the idea of tests for the older generation
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Figures from the Institute of Advanced Motorists showed drivers over 70 were no more likely to cause a crash than others but those over 70 were more likely to be at fault.
More than two thirds of all motorists support compulsory medical checks for those over the age of 70 to ensure older drivers were medically fit to drive, according to the new report.
Neil Greig, director of policy and research at the Institute of Advanced Motorists, said: “We would be entirely in favour of refresher courses providing it’s voluntary.
“Older drivers don’t actually often notice the deterioration in their driving until it’s too late but voluntary, available, short cheap refresher courses are the best way forward.”
The RAC report also called on the Government to improve its planning for winter weather to maintain road standards.
As many as 96 per cent of drivers said they were worried about the state of the roads with three quarters saying the state of motorways and major A roads had got worse in recent times.
A quarter of younger drivers aged 17 to 24 even said they did not feel confident driving over the many potholes left by the harsh winter.
RE TEST
13.08.10, 1:39pm
i will be willing to take any test they want me to take i am anex class 1 lorry driver and still can show most young drivers a thing or two
• Posted by: roberts • Report Comment
DORKS ON WHEELS
06.07.10, 3:59pm
There are more young dorks who are dangerous drivers than there are in the over 70 group.
It appears now that a licence is too easy to get and once these youngsters get their full licence they forget everything they learned.
• Posted by: GRR • Report Comment
RAC
02.07.10, 11:52am
Why just over 70's. There are a lot of under 30's who have little or no idea how to drive and as for winter driving it makes me weep to see what some of the clowns get up to.
• Posted by: johncuth • Report Comment
PENSIONERS SHOULD BE TAUGHT TO DRIVE ALL OVER AGAIN
01.07.10, 12:29pm
Why just pensioners? there are a lot of mindless numpties out there who, after passing their test seem to immediately forget what they have learned.there are many teenagers who consider themselves a 'Lewis Hamilton' as soon as they pass their test, there are the 'yuppies' who drive around in their Audi's, BMW's, Lexus
Merc's who seem to think that the road is theirs alone. One common fault I see every day is drivers who seem to have forgotton that their car is bult with indicators & seem to think that anyone behind, to the side etc has the gift of ESP & can read their mind as to which direction the driver is turning. The driving test should be a mandatory requirement every 5 years,if failed then revert to wearing a green 'P' & restricted to 40MPH for 6 months & test retaken again.
• Posted by: popeye48 • Report Comment
JOBSWORTHS
30.06.10, 10:50pm
The RAC are a bunch of jobsworths coming out with this clap trap... you cant say that all people over a certain age cant drive well, Its just a way of controlling people, stick to your job of breakdowns and shut up.
• Posted by: yeokelboy9 • Report Comment
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