WRITTEN QUESTION E-2390/02

by Kathleen Van Brempt (PSE) to the Commission

(2 August 2002)

Subject: Study on older drivers

A project is currently under way in the EU under the name of Agile, investigating the effect of age on driving ability. The study is expected to be completed by about 2005. It proposes to map the cognitive and physical problems of older drivers, the effect of age on their driving behaviour, and the kinds of accidents they are involved in.

Is the Commission aware of this study?

If so, what is the aim of this study?

Is the Commission considering an age restriction for driving licences?

Does the Commission not consider that this kind of study stigmatises older people?

Is this study not primarily in the interests of the insurance industry, which likes to make distinctions between drivers thinking for example of the bonus/penalty system in Belgium, which has recently been banned by European law?

Answer given by Mr Busquin on behalf of the Commission

(23 September 2002)

AGILE (QLRT-CT-2002-00118) is a research project conducted by the National Center for Research and Technology Hellas (CERTH) and the Hellenic Institute of transport (HIT), and cofinanced by the Commission under the Quality of Life Programme, key action The Ageing Population and their Disabilities of the 5th Framework programme for Research and Technological Development. It started in April 2002 and results will be presented within three years time.

The aim of the project is to develop a new set of training, information, counselling and driving ability assessment and support tools for older people, evaluating their full range of physical, cognitive, behavioural and interaction abilities, targeting a fair, inclusive and cost-effective, standardised, pan-European elderly drivers assessment procedure.

Older drivers seem to be over-represented in specific accident types (i.e. turning left at a T-junction, changing lane, merging or leaving from a parking position). AGILE focuses on two key milestones: a) developing the required knowledge to establish national policies for delivering certification to fitness to drive to the elderly; b) helping as much as possible older age groups to continue driving safely as enhanced mobility leads to increased well-being.

The Commission does not have the intention to impose a maximum age limit for holding a driving licence.

The Commission does not consider that this kind of research project stigmatises older people. It is more the contrary, as the project will develop appropriate training and consultation courses to help older drivers overcome their driving problems as well as a methodology to embattle current negative stereotypes about elderly drivers. This will lead towards enhancing public awareness and acceptance of elderly driving abilities. It is emphasised that the assessment methods targeted are not meant to present a new barrier for elderly drivers but instead they are expected to simplify and rationalise the currently used assessment process for most of them. It will help to find appropriate methods and aids for older people to remain safe drivers.

This research project is not designed to benefit the insurance companies. Given the aforementioned purpose of this study, it is not expected that the results of this research project will be used to make distinctions between drivers.