Old drunk drivers are a growing road menace
SLOSHED seniors are being caught drink-driving as VicRoads removes thousands of older drivers deemed a high road risk.
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SLOSHED seniors in their 90s are being caught drink-driving as VicRoads removes thousands of older drivers deemed a high road risk.
Frustrated police lashed out at the older drivers, including at least six pensioners aged over 90 who blew over .05, saying they should know better.
In the last three years, 312 drivers aged 70 and above were over the .05 limit, with the Mornington Peninsula the state’s worst hot spot, with 35 drink drivers busted.
The Sunday Herald Sun can also reveal VicRoads banned more than 11,000 older drivers from Victorian roads in the last three years.
This is on top of the 637 drivers aged over 71 who had their licence torn up after losing all their demerit points for breaking road laws.
Families are being urged to intervene to prevent unsafe elderly drivers from causing road crashes and fatalities.
The elderly drink-driving shame files include a man in his 80s, who last week blew 0.121 and was totally oblivious to driving several kilometres with the front wheel of his car buckled underneath the vehicle after he smashed into a pole in Taylors Lakes.
It also features an 85-year-old suspended driver who was pulled over by police during his Sunday drive in September last year and blew 0.18 - more than three times the legal limit.
Last year alone a record 4100 drivers - 11 per day - had their licences taken off them after they were either dobbed in by their families or failed a medical test.
Victoria is the only state or territory in Australia that does not require older drivers to sit a compulsory test after the driver reaches a certain age.
VicRoads vehicle and road use policy director James Holgate said there were no plans to change the policy.
“It is much better to raise the issue of ceasing to drive with the licence holder before there is any real problem,” Mr Holgate said.
“It is important that relatives and friends offer their support and have ongoing discussions about driving with their friend or family member.”
aleks.devic@news.com.au
TOP TEN DRINK DRIVE HOT SPOTS (70+)
Mornington Peninsula - 35
Kingston - 14
Greater Dandenong - 14
Glen Eira - 14
Melbourne - 14
Monash - 12
Manningham - 11
Boroondara - 10
Stonnington - 10
Brimbank - 8
Source: Victoria Police
Drink-driving penalty notices issued by police during 2010/11, 2011/12 and 2012/13.
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