§ Mr. ChidgeyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will work with the motor industry to develop industry best practice for secondary protection against accidents for older drivers. [9301]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonManufacturers are continuing to improve the overall secondary safety of cars for all occupants. Longer-term departmental research with 495W industry participation includes the possibility of tailoring car secondary safety to the physical characteristics of individual occupants.
§ Mr. ChidgeyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will review the sight distance standards for non-signalised junction designs to take account of the perception-reaction characteristics of older drivers. [9295]
§ Ms JacksonI have asked the chief executive of the Highways Agency to write to my hon. Friend.
Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. David Chidgey, dated 22 July 1997:
The Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions has asked me to reply to your recent question concerning a possible review of the sight distance standards for non-signalised junction designs to take account of the perception-reaction characteristics of older drivers.The standards issued by the Highways Agency for non-signalled cross-road junctions were reviewed and updated in 1995 and for roundabouts in 1993. UK standards are similar in this respect to most European standards. The sight distance standards in the documents take account of a range of perception-reaction characteristics which includes that of older drivers.Perception-reaction characteristics comprise the time taken to see a sign, feature or hazard, decide what action is necessary, and take action: our standards assume two seconds perception-reaction time. Experience and judgement are important to perceiving and avoiding any potential hazard, though perception-reaction processes slow with advancing age, experience and judgement improve.In 1995 the Highways Agency reviewed whether road design standards should be amended to allow for demographic changes. Our study concluded that at present sight distance standards are appropriate for drivers with the range of perception-reaction characteristics prevalent in the driving population.
§ Mr. ChidgeyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of Devon county council's roadfit scheme. [9299]
§ Ms JacksonThe Department has not made any formal assessment of the Devon county council's roadfit scheme, but is taking a close interest in this and similar schemes directed at older drivers.
§ Mr. ChidgeyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what measures his Department takes to make drivers aware of declining sensory and cognitive abilities as they get older. [9300]
§ Ms JacksonThe present driver licensing system recognises that aging may affect driving ability, although this varies from person to person. Drivers must renew their licences at 70 years of age, at which point they are required to make a declaration about their health. A licence is then issued for up to three years only, subject to a further health declaration at each renewal.
The Department's leaflet, "Advice to Older Drivers", provides advice on driving skills, legal requirements and guidance on when to consider giving up driving. I will arrange for copies to be deposited in the House Libraries.
The Department has commissioned research to study the effects of aging on cognitive ability and to develop appropriate measures for elderly drivers in order to help them maintain their mobility safely.
496W
§ Mr. ChidgeyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to work with other European countries towards developing a common approach to helping older drivers. [9302]
§ Ms JacksonThere are no current initiatives at European level to develop a common approach towards older drivers.
The report on the safety of older car drivers in the European Union recently published by the European Road Safety Federation is a useful contribution to the international understanding of this issue.
§ Mr. ChidgeyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will investigate the use of directional arrows at traffic signals with the objective of simplifying decision making for older drivers. [9296]
§ Ms JacksonWork is being done to increase the conspicuity of traffic signals, including those with directional arrows, particularly in adverse viewing conditions. Some trials are under way to assess improvements that can be made to directional arrow signalling at more complicated junctions. Such improvements would help all drivers.
§ Mr. ChidgeyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what guidelines his Department issues to(a) the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, (b) police authorities, (c) doctors and (d) optometrists in respect of advice to older drivers who are considering giving up driving. [9298]
§ Ms JacksonGuidance on giving advice to older drivers, including advice on preparing to give up driving when this becomes necessary is included within the publication "Medical Aspects of Fitness to Drive", which is published by the medical commission on accident prevention and endorsed by the Secretary of State's honorary medical advisory panels on driving. This publication is distributed widely to medical practitioners, who may also consult doctors at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency by means of a dedicated telephone line.
The Department's chief medical adviser regularly meets the Association of Optometrists and issues associated with all aspects of driving are regularly discussed with the police.