• The number of older drivers that hold a driver’s licence has doubled in the last 20 years. In 2019, there were 533,000 drivers who are aged over 70 on our roads.
• Older Victorian drivers are over represented in driver fatalities, just under 18% of all driver fatalities in 2019 were over 70.
• In 2019, there were 20 pedestrians killed that were over 70. This made up 41% of all pedestrians killed in 2019.
• Pedestrian deaths are more likely in metropolitan Melbourne.
• Frailty and issues associated with ageing create a risk for older drivers and increase the chances of serious injury or death in a crash.
• Older drivers are often driving older vehicles. Older vehicles aren’t fitted with the latest safety features which also increases the risk of injury in a crash.
• Older drivers that are killed on our roads are more likely to be male and to die on high speed rural roads.

Staying safe

Physical and mental changes that often come with ageing can affect how well older people drive.

All drivers over the age of 65 years of age need to think about the sorts of things that might make driving more difficult. Assessing your driving skills, and being aware of early warning signs are the best way to make sure you're not putting yourself, and your loved ones, at risk on the road.

Older driver checklist

Do you:

• Suffer from any serious health conditions such as arthritis, epilepsy, a heart condition, high blood pressure or anxiety?
• Take medication that may impair your driving?
• Have difficulty reacting quickly to other drivers' actions?
• Drive at inappropriate speeds, either too fast or too slow?
• Regularly need your passengers to give you directions, such as when it is clear to pass?
• Ignore or misinterpret traffic signs and signals?
• Fail to judge distances between cars correctly?
• Become easily flustered or angry?
• Have difficulty with glare of oncoming headlights, streetlights or other bright or shiny objects, especially at dawn, dusk and at night?
• Find it hard to turn your head, neck, shoulders or body while in traffic or parking?
• Had one or more near accidents?
• Feel exhausted after driving for an hour or more?
• Have difficulty maintaining concentration while driving?
• Have your passengers warn you about things on the road you may not have seen, or have seen too late?
• Feel uncomfortable in heavy traffic?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, it may be time for you to think about modifying your driving behaviour and improving your safety on the road.

How to keep driving safely

Here are some tips that will help keep you safer on the roads.

• Try to plan driving during off peak periods when traffic will be lighter.
• Plan your trips so that if you are going a long distance you can have breaks along the way.
• Avoid driving at times when you would normally be asleep.
• Try to drive only in daylight hours and avoid driving at sunset or sunrise when there is high glare and poor visibility.
• Try to avoid non signalled right hand turns where possible.
• Get a few refresher driving lessons.
• Don't drive if you've been drinking or have taken medication that affects your driving.
• Have your eyes tested at least once every two years and make sure your optometrist knows that you drive.
• Talk to your pharmacist or doctor about any effect your medication may have on your driving.
• Keep your distance from the vehicle in front. As we age our reaction times get slower so we need more time to respond when driving.
• Choose the safest route, rather than the most direct one.
• Drive the safest car you can afford. 5 star rated vehicles include features to help keep you safe.
• Use public transport or drive to the closest, most convenient form of public transport.

Tips for older pedestrians

As well as driving, older people need to be cautious and aware as pedestrians. Here are some areas to be aware of so you keep safe on the roads.

• Use traffic lights, pedestrian crossings, pedestrian refuges and over and under passes when crossing roads.
• Make sure traffic has stopped before stepping off the kerb.
• Avoid crossing near the crest of a hill or on a bend.
• Avoid crossing in between parked vehicles.
• Establish eye contact with the driver to ensure you have been seen.
• Keep looking for oncoming traffic while crossing the road.
• Wear light coloured or reflective clothing is more easily seen by drivers than dark colours – especially at night.

Transitioning from driving

If driving is becoming difficult or stressful, it could be time to think about cutting down or stopping altogether. Having a plan is the best way to stay mobile – with or without a car.

In Victoria, you’re allowed to drive up to any age as long as it’s safe to do so. This means it’s important to self-monitor your driving. All drivers, no matter what age, should routinely consider ‘am I still fit to drive?’

Making a plan

• Think about where you live and how you may be affected if you’re unable to drive.
• Talk to your family and friends about how they could help you adjust.
• Find out about your public transport options while you’re still driving and get comfortable with the routes
• Explore other services that could help you stay mobile. Many communities offer shuttles or other services to help older people move around their community.

Available support

There is support available to help you with this important life transition. Your doctor will be able to provide you with a list of local community services.

Ageing parents

Are you worried about someone's driving?

Some people may choose to ignore warning signs and continue driving when they are a road safety risk. Someone who has dementia or conditions that affect clear thinking may not be able to make a judgement about safe driving.

There may still be cause for concern even if someone doesn’t have a cognitive impairment. Make time to have a conversation with your parent or friend and chat to them about the items in the older driver checklist.

If you identify any areas of concern now is the time to talk about ways to address those risks.

You could:

• Provide suggestions for safer routes to frequently visited locations
• Assist with booking taxis or rideshare for longer drives or busier routes
• Look for alternate travel options such as community shuttles or public transport
• Organise some refresher driving lessons
• With their permission talk to their doctor about medications and how they might affect driving
• Help them make use of delivery services to reduce the need to drive to purchase essentials and medication
• If you feel that it isn’t safe for the person to drive at all a medical review can be requested. While it is beneficial to discuss this directly with the person it may not always feel comfortable to do so.
• You can make a report to VicRoads and they will be required to investigate. It is possible to remain anonymous.

People making a report in good faith are protected from legal action and VicRoads will not divulge the identity of people who make a report without their consent (unless it is required by law). Find out more on the VicRoads website