WA rule changes for elderly drivers

A new rule change which exempts West Australian drivers aged 75 to 78 years from undertaking a medical assessment to renew their licence is a “good decision, but doesn’t go far enough”, Council on the Ageing WA chief executive, Ken Marston, says.

He tells DPS eNews “all age discrimination should be abolished” and the approved amendment is “yet another example of the need for state governments to focus on our ageing population and plan for an age-friendly and age discrimination-free future”.

Transport Minister, Troy Buswell, recently approved the amendment and changes are expected to be implemented within in the next six months. The amendment follows a review which shows a high proportion of people aged 75 to 85 years are fit to drive without medical conditions endorsed on their licences.

“Given the ageing population, the state government is changing the regulations to lessen the unjustified imposition on senior drivers as well as the health system,” Mr Buswell says.

However, Mr Marston believes “age discrimination, in any form, should be addressed”, and claims no evidence exists to suggest older drivers are less competent than drivers in other age groups.

“People who are competent to do so should be allowed to drive, irrespective of their age. Incompetent drivers should be kept off our roads. Older drivers are safe and should not face mandatory testing at any age,” he adds.

According to Mr Marston, while senior drivers have fewer collisions than younger drivers, when older people are involved in crashes, they may experience more serious injuries and take longer to recover.

“However, the mental and physical health consequences of loss of a driver’s licence can be equally or more devastating – causing seniors to lose social contacts, diminishing their participation in society, and making access to the essentials of life, including medical treatment, more difficult,” he says.

The requirement to medically access 75 to 78-year-olds has reportedly been in place since 1975. The current regulations require licence holders aged 75, 78, 80, and annually thereafter, to complete a driver’s licence renewal declaration and undergo a medical assessment. Drivers aged 85 years and older must also pass an annual senior ‘on-road’ practical driving assessment.

Licence holders aged 80 to 84 years will still be required to undertake a medical assessment and requirements for those aged 85 years and older will not change.

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