Are Senior Citizens Safe for Other Drivers on the Road?

Are Senior Citizens Safe for Other Drivers on the Road?

Are senior citizens and their family members still considered safe when driving? According to GEM Motoring Assist, older citizens can pose a higher risk on roads if they are suffering from failing health and reduced capacity to drive.

Youtube

GEM road safety officer Neil Worth comments: “It has long been GEM’s policy that as many people as possible should enjoy the freedom of the open road for as long as possible, but only while they are safe.

“Warning signs relating to failing health or reduced ability can develop slowly and gradually in older drivers. This often means they may not be aware of their changing actions or the growing risks they may pose – to themselves and to others – on journeys.

Note, however, that we're not discriminating against old drivers--they only if they pose a risk if they can prove to be a threat on the road.

“There’s no upper age limit for driving. The only requirement in law for drivers aged over 70 is to declare every three years that they are fit to drive. In the absence of re-testing and mandatory eyesight checks, it’s vital that family members and friends are willing to keep an eye on their senior relatives – and take appropriate action if anything causes them concern.”

Youtube

What should be a concern for drivers? According to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), the following "conditions" could affect someone’ ability to stay safe at the wheel:

  • Diabetes or taking insulin
  • Syncope (fainting)
  • Certain heart conditions (such as atrial fibrillation)
  • The fitting of a pacemaker
  • Sleep apnea
  • Epilepsy
  • Strokes
  • Glaucoma

Not Just in the U.K.

The study, while done in the U.K., can be applied to other countries--even in the Philippines. In fact, it's quite timely, considering the number of centenarians living in the country today.

Currently, there are around 8.2 percent of senior citizens living in the Philippines. ABS-CBN reported that, around 5 million of this figure will be aged 65 years and older, which constitutes around 4.7 percent of the country's population. Moreover, according to a report,  the elderly will constitute around 10.25 percent of the population by 2025.

If that's the case, then many of them who know how to drive will also experience conditions that can affect driving, like hypertension (17.34 percent), diabetes or high blood sugar (8.08 percent), arthritis (6.41 percent), rheumatism (6.41 percent), vision or eye problems (5.22 percent), general lethargy (7.13 percent), old age (“matanda na ako”), and mental problems (0.50 percent).

So far, our country doesn't have any facility that checks for these conditions that can prove to be detrimental when senior citizens are driving on the road. The government should do something about this, especially with the growing number of centenarians that are still living and driving in the Philippines.

Also Read House Bills Seeking Cheaper Transportation Fees for Students, Seniors, and PWDs Pass Final Reading For Better Road Safety This 2020, Go beyond 20/20 Vision, Says GEM

Read All

Featured Articles

Recommended Articles For You

Read All

Car Articles From Zigwheels

  • News
  • Article Feature
  • Advisory Stories
  • Road Test
  • ACMobility guarantees worry-free electrified mobility EV models, charging hubs
    ACMobility guarantees worry-free electrified mobility EV models, charging hubs
    Ruben Manahan IV . Mar 28, 2024
  • LTO announces DL renewal schedule, to commence after Holy Week
    LTO announces DL renewal schedule, to commence after Holy Week
    Paulo Papa . Mar 28, 2024
  • GAC Motor PH to reveal Emkoo Hybrid
    GAC Motor PH to reveal Emkoo Hybrid
    Ruben Manahan IV . Mar 27, 2024
  • Toyota PH offers emergency roadside assistance for Lenten season anew
    Toyota PH offers emergency roadside assistance for Lenten season anew
    Paulo Papa . Mar 27, 2024
  • Honda Cars PH reactivates HEAT for Holy Week
    Honda Cars PH reactivates HEAT for Holy Week
    Paulo Papa . Mar 27, 2024
  • Brembo: an ideal choice for discerning Filipino car owners
    Brembo: an ideal choice for discerning Filipino car owners
    Paulo Papa . Mar 26, 2024
  • Flyweight feud: Suzuki S-Presso AGS vs. Honda Brio V CVT
    Flyweight feud: Suzuki S-Presso AGS vs. Honda Brio V CVT
    Paulo Papa . Mar 20, 2024
  • Cabin check: What’s inside the BYD Atto 3
    Cabin check: What’s inside the BYD Atto 3
    Paulo Papa . Mar 19, 2024
  • Midsize SUV battle: Hyundai Santa Fe vs. Ford Everest
    Midsize SUV battle: Hyundai Santa Fe vs. Ford Everest
    Paulo Papa . Mar 14, 2024
  • Hyundai Santa Fe: 6 seductive colors
    Hyundai Santa Fe: 6 seductive colors
    Paulo Papa . Mar 12, 2024
  • Here are some ideal destinations and safety tips for the upcoming Holy Week
    Here are some ideal destinations and safety tips for the upcoming Holy Week
    Paulo Papa . Mar 08, 2024
  • Here are some New Year’s resolutions for car owners
    Here are some New Year’s resolutions for car owners
    Paulo Papa . Jan 03, 2024
  • PH auto market: 2023 in retrospect
    PH auto market: 2023 in retrospect
    Paulo Papa . Dec 15, 2023
  • Here’s a holiday gift guide for car enthusiasts
    Here’s a holiday gift guide for car enthusiasts
    Hazel Nicole Carreon . Dec 15, 2023
  • Oil players cut pump prices anew
    Oil players cut pump prices anew
    Paulo Papa . Nov 14, 2023
  • First look: JMC Grand Avenue
    First look: JMC Grand Avenue
    Paulo Papa . Mar 27, 2024
  • Above average: Toyota Raize G
    Above average: Toyota Raize G
    Paulo Papa . Mar 22, 2024
  • BYD Atto 3: from the metro to the mountains
    BYD Atto 3: from the metro to the mountains
    Paulo Papa . Mar 18, 2024
  • Late bloomer: Hyundai Stargazer GLS Premium
    Late bloomer: Hyundai Stargazer GLS Premium
    Ruben Manahan IV . Mar 08, 2024
  • Adventure-ready: Subaru Crosstrek
    Adventure-ready: Subaru Crosstrek
    Paulo Papa . Mar 01, 2024