Which maximum age to drive? Neither legislators nor doctors agree with this. And laws protect the freedom and right of all people to not be discriminated against because of their agein no area.
Although some abilities are lost with age, this does not happen at the same rate in all people, and in many cases these abilities are still enough to drive a car without problems. There are even honeymooners and centennial drivers, although they usually have speed limits, driving hours, distance limits, etc.
What will happen to drivers over 65? The DGT has ruled on this matter.
As our colleague Gustavo López of Top Gear tells us, official statistics tell us that in 2019 28% of those killed in road traffic accidents were over 65 years of age. This is a very high number, but you need to know how to interpret it.
In Spain, 20% of the population is over 65 years old., so statistically it is logical that they exceed 20% of deaths. Older people are less likely to survive a serious accident than a healthy young person, so there are more deaths among older people. And in many cases, children or other family members are involved in such accidents, not themselves.
In fact, the same statistics tell us that older drivers are involved in only 12% of accidentsY experienced 4 times less than youth. In general, they are more careful behind the wheel.
According to the General Rules for Drivers (art. 12.2), drivers between the ages of 18 and 65 are required to renew their driving license every 10 years. From the age of 65, the card is renewed every 5 years. In case of professional drivers every 3 years. DGT intends to reduce these terms.
“We know that in the case of people of a certain age, we will have to reduce them.“explained DGT Deputy Director Maria José Aparicio Aparicio at Road Safety Week a few months ago.We must protect the elderly, but always promote their mobility, safety and freedom.“, – said then the director of the DGT.
This is a question on which there is no consensus in Europe. According to Top Gear, the United Kingdom is automatically revoking driving licenses from people over 70 so they can renew them. In Denmark, Italy, Ireland or Portugal, renewal periods are shorter than in Spain.
There are no special procedures for older drivers in Belgium, Sweden, Germany or France.
The consensus in Spain and the laws themselves suggest that to drive, you need to look not at the date of birth, but at the ability. The key is in the timing of renewals and medical examinations, which are currently set at 5 years.
As we have seen the intention of the DGT is to reduce them, necessarily every 3 years and 1 or 2 years as they grow older. but now no date. When asked by the media these days, the DGT confirms that “no new measures are planned”.
So we’ll have to wait, but it’s clear that License renewal terms will soon be reduced for persons over 65 years of age.
Source: Computer Hoy
