More elderly motorists are dying on UK roads when compared to 10 years ago, according to the latest Department for Transport (DfT) data release*, prompting a leading driving experience provider to call for more to be done to improve road safety.
Indeed, the provisional road casualty figures, released annually by the DfT, which reports the number of fatalities and casualties on Britain’s roads, uncovered that there has been a startling 155 deaths last year among females aged 70 and above, which represents a 26 per cent increase when compared to levels in 2012.
What’s more, the numbers for males of the same age bracket were up by five per cent, with 231 fatalities recorded.
The startling statistics has prompted leading driving experience provider, TrackDays.co.uk to call for more proactive measures to help ensure deaths on the roads for elderly people follows the overall trends of the other age brackets.
Dan Jones, Operations Manager at TrackDays.co.uk, said: “The UK generally has some of the safest roads in the world, but this latest data set revealed a hard truth which was difficult to read.
“There should be no reason why we see deaths on our roads for all other ages decreasing when compared to a decade ago but increasing for over 70s.”
Although the provisional data release does not yet include the causes of the fatalities, Jones felt further proactive approaches to driver appraisals should be considered by all.
Jones continued: “Currently, once you hit 70 you need to renew your driving license, alongside being advised to take an eye test. However, we believe that drivers should be encouraged to undertake further regular driver appraisals once you reach a certain age to ensure everyone can remain safe on the roads.
“Undergoing periodic appraisals, or alternative safer driving courses, is a way of helping motorists maintain their independence while also reducing the risks associated with age-related changes.
To learn more about TrackDays.co.uk, and explore its own range of safer driving courses, visit www.trackdays.co.uk