DVLA releases driving licence medical data with elderly drivers most impacted

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Elderly drivers are most at risk of losing their driving licence due to a medical condition as the DVLA releases new data as part of a consultation.

The DVLA has released a chart showing its current casework as of March 2023 with elderly motorists disproportionately affected.

The results show officials are working on more cases involving 70-79 year olds than any other demographic.

Around 16,000 single medical issues are being looked into among this age group with over 10,000 showing signs of having multiple medical conditions.

The 60-69 year old category was the second highest while motorists between the age of 50-59 was the third largest sample.

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However, the DVLA chart shows there are still thousands of cases among the over 80s.

Officials have also admitted neurological concerns are the most common medical conditions investigated by its staff.

As of January 2023, a whopping 33.12 percent of all medical-related driving licence issues were neurological.

This would include many diseases motorists would tend to get at an older age such as Parkinson’s disease and brain tumours.

Psychiatric concerns accounted for 16.73 percent of all investigations which included illnesses such as dementia.

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The report reads: “Losing a driving licence can be a life-changing event and can have significant impacts on an individual, making them more dependent on others, reducing their freedom and sense of wellbeing.

“The natural ageing process increases the risk of individuals developing certain medical conditions that may affect their fitness to drive.

“This applies not only in later years but in middle age where certain medical conditions relevant to driving, for example heart conditions and vision conditions, become more common.

“While certain medical conditions like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease, strokes, and arthritis are more common among the older population, other conditions can lead to impairment in cognitive, physical or visual abilities necessary to drive safely, for drivers of all ages.”

The findings were published in a consultation asking drivers to submit evidence considering whether driving licence renewals could be changed.

Although the DVLA doesn’t list any specific proposals, they are asking motorists to submit their ideas before October 22.

This can be done through the DVLA’s Snap Survey tool or posted to their headquarters in Swansea.

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