We can help you claim
compensation following an accident
illness or injury - nationwide
Call: 0800 10 757 95
Elderly drivers are often wrongly thought to be the cause of more car accident claims due to their supposedly poor driving skills and slow reactions. However, this has continually been shown not to be the case as RAC findings reveal that age only starts to affect driving ability of those over 80.
In April 2010, the strength of the findings from these studies led to a reversal in government plans to introduce a driving re-test for drivers over the age of 60. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) had proposed plans to introduce a mandatory retesting of elderly drivers.
However, the plans were met with mixed opinion. Racing legend Sir Stirling Moss, 80, encouraged the idea and said everyone should be retested at 65 or 70.
In an interview with BBC 5 Live Moss said, "Driving is quite different today than it was 10 years ago. I mean the roads change, the signals change, the signs and all that sort of stuff. It's a lot more complex now."
Yet, the RAC strongly opposed the plans stating that the move would do little to cut crashes as older drivers were no less safe than other age groups. The foundation also added that the retesting could break equality legislation.
Instead the RAC have recommended refresher courses to be offered to older drivers on a voluntary basis which would ensure that older drivers stayed up-to-date with current driving laws and regulations whilst at the same time giving them the opportunity to refresh their driving skills.
Other proposed alternatives to the driving re-test included a compulsory eye test for drivers over sixty to ensure that their driving skills are not hampered by impaired eyesight.
As free eye test are available to the elderly, supporters of the idea have argued that a move towards compulsory eye tests for older drivers would be much easier and cheaper to implement than the driving re-tests and would target a specific cause of car accidents involving elderly drivers.
Make a car accident claim today with YouClaim
If you have been in a car accident that was not your fault, you could be eligible to make a compensation claim for the personal injury you have suffered.
At YouClaim, our team of personal injury solicitors have years of experience helping clients gain the compensation they deserve following a car crash.
Thanks to our no win, no fee policy, you have nothing to lose from making a claim, so why not give us a call and make your car accident claim today. Our friendly team of advisers are waiting to hear from you.
