Discussion about fitness to drive: freedom or security for seniors?

Discussion about fitness to drive: freedom or security for seniors?

The discussion about security on the streets is repeatedly fueled by tragic accidents with older drivers. Especially an incident in Blaustein, where an 85-year-old driver grasped an eight-year-old child on the sidewalk, makes the need for changes clear. The child died immediately. But not only this accident sparked the debate. In the Lake Constance district, a 68-year-old cyclist died through another accident with an 88-year-old driver. These incidents lead to the question: Should older people be obliged to regularly demonstrate their suitability for driving?

In recent years, it has increasingly been considered whether there should be similar regulations in Germany as in Switzerland, where seniors aged 75 and over every two years have to go through a medical check with their family doctor. In Baden-Württemberg, however, such ideas are controversial and encounter resistance.

opinions on driving suitability tests

The ADAC Württemberg has clearly spoken out against the assumption that older drivers do worse statistically. According to their statements, the accident statistics show that older drivers are often involved in serious accidents, but are not due to their driving behavior, but are often the cause themselves. The country's accident statistics last year show that people aged 65 and over were 26,386 accidents at the wheel, whereby they themselves were the main cause of 1,713 of these accidents. It should be noted that the age group of the elderly, despite their own accidents, is rarely involved in an accident.

The Baden-Württemberg Transport Minister Winfried Hermann commented on the contrary to introducing binding tests. He argues that age is not the only decisive criterion for the suitability for driving. "General rules or even prohibitions do not help in this question," he explains. Rather, the focus should be based on individual reviews, not on general age limits.

political attitude to binding tests

All parties represented in the state parliament reject binding travel suitability tests for the elderly. While the CDU favors voluntary tests, the SPD also shows interest in such self -reviews for seniors. The FDP, on the other hand, speaks against tests because this would discriminate against the older road users. Group leader Hans-Ulrich Rülke emphasizes that older people often drive more prudently and have lower number of accidents.

The Senior Council in Baden-Württemberg also supports the attitude of politics to reject binding tests. An official message emphasizes that age alone should not be a reason for tests. However, they advocate special training offers to increase driving safety.

In practice, there are already opportunities for older people to voluntarily check their driving skills. The ADAC participates in initiatives in which older drivers can test their skills in driving training. In 2023, 261 seniors took part, receiving individual feedback on their driving behavior in a driving fitness check.

The discussion about the security of older road users shows how important it is to find differentiated approaches and solutions that aim both on security and respect the self -determination of the older generation. It remains questionable whether we will see increased measures in the near future to further improve traffic safety in this population.