The number of older drivers in Canberra is increasing, and the latest edition of the Older Drivers Handbook, published last week, will help them drive safely, maintain their independence, and, eventually, prepare to stop driving.

The Council on the Ageing (COTA) ACT launched the Handbook earlier this month, with assistance from the ACT Government under the ACT Road Safety Fund Grants Program.

The publication is designed to help people aged 65 and over make safer choices when driving, riding, walking, using a mobility scooter, or catching public transport – “to help you keep driving for as long as possible, with the safety of yourself and others an utmost consideration”.

It contains information on how they can assess their ability to drive; their health and driving (including hearing, vision, and dementia); medication, drugs, and alcohol; maintaining their car; using a mobile telephone (illegal while driving, unless hands-free); driving in challenging conditions (including heavy rain, night, and sun glare); accidents and infringements; disability parking permits; how to have conversations about another person’s driving; and giving up driving (including support and information services).

Older drivers make up an increasing segment of the Australian population, Jenny Mobbs, CEO of COTA ACT, noted. The number of older people (65-plus) in Canberra has grown from 49,972 (12.6 per cent of the population) in 2016 to 62,203 (13.8 per cent), according to the 2021 Census.

As the ACT is a car-dependent society, it is important to help older people drive safely so they can participate in society, Ms Mobbs said.

“Freedom to travel by car continues to be an important element of independence and quality of life for many older people. Road transport authorities are committed to keeping drivers on the road for as long as they are able to drive safely. Growing older should never be taken as an indicator of reduced driving ability. In fact, older drivers represent a wide range of abilities, and no individual should have a licence taken away from them solely because of age.

“However, there is evidence that for many drivers, the skills necessary for safe driving begin to decline at about age 60, and decline quickly after about age 75. There is also evidence that older drivers can cope safely with this decline. While you cannot stop ageing, you can try to limit the way any change in function affects your driving.”

Canberrans aged 75 and older must be examined by their doctor every year to review their capability to drive. Medical conditions, long-term illnesses, injuries, and incapacities can impair driving ability, Ms Mobbs noted.

Older drivers are under-represented in crashes, because they are safe and cautious, less likely to speed, and usually maintain safer following distances; tend not to take risks such as drink-driving; and tend to avoid driving situations in which they feel uncomfortable, the Handbook states.

However, fatal and serious road accidents involving drivers aged 65 and older are on the rise across Australia, according to the Australian College of Surgeons (2018 data).

“The ACT Government is committed to reducing this trend and help older Canberrans retain their independent mobility by whatever means they choose, for as long as possible,” the Handbook states.

The government provides public transport concessions, flexible bus services, and taxi subsidies for older people who do not drive, while the federal government provides transport options through My Aged Care.

Hard copies of the Handbook are available at COTA ACT, Hughes Community Centre, 2 Wisdom Street, Hughes, Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.