Autoblog

Contrary to the findings of the Japanese Metropolitan Police, a new study has just been released in Britain which suggests that older drivers are not dangerous on the roads. The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) data shows that older drivers actually become less of a risk than drivers under the age of thirty. Unfortunately, though, drivers over the age of seventy are more likely to be seriously injured when they do get into an accident. Neil Greig, director of the IAM Motoring Trust suggests that older drivers self-regulate themselves as they realize their abilities are weakening.

Still, the U.K. requires drivers over seventy to renew their licenses every three years, but it's up to the driver to report any physical conditions that could impair their driving. The U.K. government is considering adding new testing requirements for drivers over the age of seventy-five.

In other news, ninety-one percent of teen drivers consider themselves safe, though only 34-percent would say the same for their friends. Feel free to scare yourself by reading an entire press release of teen-driving statistics after the break.

[Sources: What Car, Erie Insurance]

The Tokyo Metropolitan Police have begun a campaign urging elderly drivers to "have the courage to give up your license," according to a message on its website. This effort is in response to the mounting accident rates of Japan's rapidly aging population. Over the past six years, the overall number of accidents has declined in Japan by 20 percent while accidents involving drivers over the age of 70 have skyrocketed by 35 percent. Elderly drivers are being offered various discounts and perks from over 30 different businesses if they are willing to relinquish their licenses.

We can't count the number of times we've heard someone complain about elderly drivers, and if they are willing to hand in their keys or feel as if they may be a hazard, this could be a winning solution. On the other hand, this movement could present an additional problem to the already sagging auto market in Japan, as older drivers make up a large chunk of new car buyers.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd., Reuters]

A survey of 300 drivers in Britain conducted by www.motorinsurance.co.uk found that almost half believe elderly drivers are to blame for country's horrible traffic and should be banned from driving during peak hours of congestion. Other findings reveal that about two-thirds of those surveyed believe elderly motorists can't handle modern road conditions and 49 percent believe that our elders' perceived slow and erratic driving actually causes accidents.

The insurance company who conducted the survey, however, believes that its findings aren't supported by the statistics. The survey did reveal that many drivers stereotype older motorists as bad drivers, but the insurance company points out that they're more experienced and often more careful motorists than the average driver.

The subject of when a person is too old to drive is certainly a touchy one because it involves a person's freedom of mobility. There's no magic age when the ability to competently operate a motor vehicle disappears, but certainly some of our parents and grandparents have past the point where they can safely roam the open roads.

[Source: WhatCar?]