Kathleen Fancourt
2 Mar 2023 · Coroner Penelope Schofield · West Sussex
A similar concern from this report was raised again 2 times later. See the linked reports.
The coroner's concerns
1. drivers over 70 without medical checks
“At present there is no upper legal limit for drivers. Whilst drivers over 70 are required to apply for a new licence every 3 years there is no requirement for there to be any form of medical check to confirm their fitness to drive. It is left to a self declaration of any medical condition by the driver. There is a concern that if no checks are carried out a driver may be oblivous to their enduring medical condition and this may pose a serious risk to other road users.”
2. drivers over 70 causing fatal accidents
“In 2020 (the last figures publicly available) there were 174 fatal accidents cause by drivers over the age of 70 years old. The Government's own statistics confirm that”
3. driver illness or disability
“driver illness or disability (mental or physical)" was the 4th most common contributory factor to these deaths”
Linked reports
Identical hazardConfidence 0.95 · high
This report
“At present there is no upper legal limit for drivers. Whilst drivers over 70 are required to apply for a new licence every 3 years there is no requirement for there to be any form of medical check to confirm their fitness to drive.”
Later report
“At present there is no upper age limit for drivers. Drivers over 70 are required to apply for a new licence every 3 years and there is no requirement for there to be any form of medical check or assessment to confirm fitness to drive.”
Closely relatedConfidence 0.90 · high
This report
“At present there is no upper legal limit for drivers. Whilst drivers over 70 are required to apply for a new licence every 3 years there is no requirement for there to be any form of medical check to confirm their fitness to drive.”
Later report
“A system that relies upon the self-awareness of a person applying for a driving licence to self-report a medical condition of dementia where the condition itself is characterised by a lack of self-awareness is inherently unsafe and exposes other road users to the risk of death or serious injury.”
Responses
2023-0081-Response-from-Department-for-Transport-.pdf ↗· Department for Transport
Stated action
“the Department for Transport recognises that older people must be able to maintain the skills and confidence required to remain safe and effective drivers. With funding from my department, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents has developed an older drivers' website www.olderdrivers.org.uk which contains information to help older people to continue to drive for as long as they are safe to do so. It includes details on driving assessments and refresher training and provides advice on”