Senior Victorian drivers forced to surrender licences amid safety fears

More senior drivers are being forced off the road over medical issues as accidents among Victorians aged over 60 rise.

The majority of Victorian licence holders’ medical reviews have resulted from reports or concerns raised by family members, friends, police and health professionals.

Almost 600 mostly older Victorian drivers gave up their licence last year because of medical issues.

The retiring motorists are among 80,000 drivers whose medical reports are reviewed by VicRoads every year. About one in seven is forced off the road - either temporarily or permanently - after those reviews amid a rising number of accidents among over 60s.

Last financial year, 189 drivers had their licence cancelled through medical review while another 403 drivers voluntarily surrendered their licence.

The data comes as more driver training programs are launched to make seniors safer on the roads and retain their independence.

Several local councils run Wiser Driver programs with strong enrolments in the four-week courses.

Program participant Lynne Rayner, 73, got her licence 55 years ago and said the course, run by Moonee Valley Council, was helping to update her skills behind the wheel.

“Things have changed a bit since I was 18 and I want to keep driving,’’ Ms Rayner said.

Lynne Rayner is taking part in Moonee Valley’s Wiser Driver program. Picture: Mark Stewart

“I’ve learnt something every time and have been able to put it into practice.’’

Topics have included keeping a safe distance behind the car in front, side-mirror blind spots, right of way at roundabouts and appropriate mobile phone use.

“Anything you can learn that makes you safer on the road is a positive thing,’’ she said.

The rollout of the programs comes as new data also shows that Victorian drivers aged 60 and over were most likely to be involved in car accidents that resulted in hospitalisation last year.

About 30 per cent of car accident claims to the Transport Accident Commission from January to October 2022 involved drivers aged 60 and over.

This was the highest accident-related hospitalisation rate for drivers aged 60 and over in the last decade.

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners Victoria council chair Dr Anita Muñoz

said some senior drivers may not be aware of medical conditions that can affect their

driving.

Victorian licence holders aged 75 and over can renew their licence every three years, but Dr

Muñoz said ageing can weaken vision, hearing ability, cognitive capacity and motor skills.

“In some cases … they don’t have the insight or haven’t recognised that their driving has become a problem,” she said.

Victoria does not require a licence test or annual medical check-up when drivers reach a certain age, while other states, such as New South Wales and Western Australia do.

A growing number of older drivers are being forced to give up their keys due to health issues. Picture: iStock

Instead, VicRoads has relied on a self-monitoring system where drivers seek medical assessment when they find driving “difficult or stressful.”

A Department of Transport and Planning spokesman said Victorian law required drivers to

report any long-term illness, disability or medical conditions that can affect their driving to

VicRoads.

“Road safety is everyone’s responsibility, ensuring you’re fit to drive is a vital part of keeping all drivers safe on our roads,’’ the spokesman said.

Of those assessed by VicRoads reviews, 85 per cent continue to drive without further reviews or on a conditional licence, such as wearing glasses.

As of March 31, one in four drivers in Victoria was 60 years old or above, and they account for about 60 per cent of the state’s licence holders registered with medical review.

Dr Muñoz said mandatory testing for senior drivers was important to help those who have not

recognised their medical conditions that affect their ability to drive safely.

“It’s often a very human trait to over-estimate our capacity with certain things, and that can

happen with driving,” she said.

A majority of Victorian licence holders’ medical reviews have resulted from reports or concerns raised by family members, friends, police and health professionals, while about 40 per cent of them were initiated by drivers.

Lobby groups COTA and Seniors Rights Victoria have called for increased investment into older driver education programs to support the return of older drivers to the road.