According to TVN24, the topic again warmed up public opinion in Germany after a loud incident in Dülmen near Dortmund. The 89-year-old driver confused the gas pedal with the brake and with impetus left the vehicle inspection station, ramming its gate. Then he hit two cars in the neighboring parking lot. The losses were estimated at 70,000 euro. The man was hospitalized and the police stopped his driving license. Witnesses claimed that he was too fragile to lead.
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Skills fall with age?
According to RTL television, in 2023 older drivers caused 21.5 thousand in Germany. accidents – by 25 percent more than a decade earlier. With the aging of society, the average age of road users increases. In the debate, there are even ideas for receiving the oldest rights.
Specialists emphasize, however, that Age in itself does not prejudge the skills behind the wheel. Many seniors lead more carefully than younger drivers and less often exceed the speed. The problem is just deteriorating eyesight, hearing or reflexes, which can significantly increase the risk of accidents.
In several EU countries, such controls are already standard. In Portugal, research after 70 years of age takes place every two years, and in Finland the first tests are underway at the age of 45 and renewed every five years. According to the intentions of the European Commission, one standard should apply throughout the Union – a mandatory examination every five years for drivers who are 70 years old.
