Tragic accidents will not, I am afraid, be prevented simply by the compulsory testing of drivers over 80 (Scottish judge calls for compulsory tests for over-80 drivers after fatal crash, 22 October). It will also require a much more thorough procedure by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) when assessing reports of a driver’s dementia diagnosis. A close friend of mine had a minor accident following her diagnosis of dementia and her family, quite rightly, took away her car keys. They also reported the dementia diagnosis to the DVLA, assuming that her licence would be taken away as a result.
The DVLA took months to carry out a supposed assessment, which consisted of requesting the medical records from the hospital where she had been seen a year earlier, when her condition was at a very early stage and she was still capable of driving safely.
The end result? As far as the DVLA is concerned, she can keep her licence. Thankfully, her family has kept the information from her as she is absolutely not safe to drive and would be a danger to herself and others if she were allowed to do so. The system is simply not fit for purpose and the consequences are deeply worrying.
Name and address supplied
• In Spain, as in the UK, a standard car driving licence must be renewed every 10 years. However, from the age of 65, Spanish licence renewals are required every five years. The renewal process involves a medical exam at an authorised assessment centre, testing for physical and mental fitness, including vision and hearing tests. The cost for licence renewal ranges from around €20 to €50, depending on the test centre, and the mandatory government fee is about €25. There’s no maximum age limit for driving as long as these criteria are met.
If the UK were to implement a similar process, not only would there be fewer dangerous drivers on our roads but medical problems would be picked up earlier than at present and could be addressed earlier too.
I’m nearly 82 and about to renew my licence – I’d be happy to undergo and pay for similar testing for the peace of mind that it would confer on me and my family, not to mention everyone else in my vicinity.
Judi Fendley
New Malden, London
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