6 months since the worst day of our life’s. 

On a day that should have been just like any other, our dad's life was tragically taken from us. A 90-year-old driver pulled out in front of him while he was on his motorbike, leading to an accident that took his life. I share this painful story not just as a personal loss, but as a grave warning that demands urgent action. 

Elderly drivers, particularly those over 80, often face challenges such as declining vision, reduced reaction times, and other health-related issues that can impair their driving abilities. Statistics show that as people age, the risk of driving-related accidents increases significantly.
According to the Highway Loss Data Institute, drivers over the age of 80 are involved in more accidents than any other age group.

It is crucial that we address this issue with practical measures to ensure the safety of all road users.

A yearly driving test for those aged 80 and above could be a solution.
This test would ensure that drivers maintain the physical and mental capabilities required for safe driving. Implementing this policy could potentially save countless lives, including those of the elderly drivers themselves.

This approach is not about taking away freedom or independence from our elderly community members, but about ensuring that everyone on the road can travel safely. Many countries have already enacted similar policies with great success, balancing the respect for elderly drivers' independence with road safety requirements.

We urge local authorities to consider this solution seriously. By instituting annual driving checks, we not only protect our communities but also assure elderly drivers' families that their loved ones are safe on the roads.

Help us make this change a reality. Please sign the petition to implement mandatory yearly driving tests for drivers aged 80 and older. Together, we can pave the way for safer roads and prevent another family from experiencing such a devastating loss.

I believe there may be a misunderstanding about the purpose of this petition. 

It is not about taking away older people’s driving licences, freedom or independence. It is about introducing a “simple assessment” to check eyesight, reaction times and the ability to carry out essential safety manoeuvres. 

Many older drivers are perfectly safe and capable drivers, and if they pass the assessment, they can continue driving with confidence and reassurance. 

The intention is not to discriminate against anyone because of their age, but to ensure that everyone who drives is able to do so safely. 

Over the past six months, our family has experienced unimaginable heartbreak following the loss of our dad in a collision involving an older driver who pulled out in front of him. 

We believe reaction time was a factor in what happened, and our family has been left to live with the consequences of that loss every day. 

No family should have to go through this. I understand that driving is an important part of many people’s independence, particularly for those who rely on it to maintain their social lives and daily routines, and I would never want to take that away unnecessarily. 

I also recognise that drivers of “all ages” can make mistakes, and I welcome measures to improve road safety across every age group. This petition is simply about taking a preventative approach, identifying any difficulties early and helping people and their families feel reassured that they are safe on the road. 

I know not everyone will agree, and I respect that everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I only ask that people look at the bigger picture and understand that this is not about restricting older people’s independence. 

It is about protecting lives, supporting drivers and their families, and doing what we can to prevent another family from experiencing the devastating loss that ours has suffered. 

I deal with the general public every day and see elderly drivers struggle with parking, getting out of their cars and driving out of car parks, and sometimes even remembering where they are or why. 

I’ve had to help drive their cars out of our carpark and contact their families, and I’ve witnessed accidents outside our workplace. This is exactly my point, not every elderly person is unsafe to drive, but some clearly struggle. 

Regular assessments would help keep everyone safe without unfairly taking independence away from those who are still fit to drive. 

Driving is a privilege, not a right, and safety on our roads must always come first. It shouldn’t take a serious accident or a life being lost before we take action.

Thank you ❤️