Seniors Shouldn't Be Driving - COTA SA's Response

The latest suggestion, reported in The Advertiser, page 11, 6/1/16 "Seniors Shouldn't be Driving", that people over the age of 70 should review whether they need to be on the road, is insulting.

We are again seeing statistics being used to take a wild swipe at a problem whose causes and solutions require much better understanding. The recommendation is the latest in a string of proposed measures, including so-called S plates and mandatory testing for drivers of a certain age, that use age as a blunt instrument.

We are an ageing community and that means there are more older drivers on the road. Most are competent drivers who value their freedom and use it well as citizens of our community. People over 70 are not an homogenous group. Fitness to drive should be based on competence and not age.

We would be much better off concentrating on developing road safety strategies that include education, investment in technology that increases car and road safety, learning from countries that do it well and understanding the real facts about road safety.