• Question: Why is it that not many older people drive?

    Asked by bethj to Carolyn, Peter, Richard, Sara, Siana on 16 Nov 2015.
    • Photo: Richard Unwin

      Richard Unwin answered on 16 Nov 2015:

      Hi bethj,

      Good question. In the UK you have to renew your driving licence every three years after the age of 70, and you can be refused if you’ve got a medical condition which will affect your driving e.g. worsening eyesight. Many older people I know give up in stages. As they get older their reaction times and speed of thought slow down and they don’t feel safe driving on busy roads or motorways any more but they will still drive to the local shops, but eventually they feel that becomes risky and they stop themselves.

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