Older drivers are involved in fewer crashes than other age groups. They tend to drive conservatively, travel fewer kilometres overall than other drivers and restrict their driving to times and situations in which they feel safe. Most older drivers tend to obey the law and do not deliberately drive unsafely.
While older drivers don't have as many crashes, they and older passengers, if involved in a crash, are more at risk of being seriously injured or killed. This is principally due to their greater physical vulnerability than younger people. With the same impact force, the fatality rate is approximately three times higher for a 75 year old motor vehicle occupant than for an 18 year old. Illness and changes that are more common with age increase the risk of older drivers being involved in a crash. These changes may be physical or they may be changes to memory and thinking. In this section you can learn how to address the risks when driving to keep yourself – and others – safe.
How are your skills?
This self assessment contains a 15-question rating form that provides some guidance to senior drivers to help them assess their driving skills. The purpose of this self-rating assessment is to help you to become, if you are not already, an 'activated driver.' An activated driver is someone who assumes responsibility for his/her own driving skills and who self-examines and compares his or her ability with the requirements for safe driving. The self rating assessment will help you locate those areas where your physical and mental abilities may call for a change in your driving habits and skills. There are suggestions to improve each driving skill that is identified as an area to focus on after completing the self assessment.
What do you need to know to retain your mobility?
This guide provides information on the driver licence renewal process, road rule refresher graphics and tips to help you keep moving. It also contains guidelines for assessing your own driving ability and resources to help you plan ahead in case you need to give up driving for any reason.
