Seniors behind the wheel: What driving instructor Uwe Strobel recommends!

Seniors behind the wheel: What driving instructor Uwe Strobel recommends!

There is currently an exciting debate in Dahme-Spreewald about the suitability of seniors to drive. According to a current MAZ survey, opinion is divided: a slim majority is in favor of driving bans from a certain age. But there are also strong voices that advocate against such measures. The experienced driving instructor Uwe Strobel from Mittenwalde, who has been active for almost 40 years and also works for the ADAC, clearly stands for the individual assessment of driving ability. “The ability to drive a vehicle does not depend on age, but on the person,” he explains. He points out that in 2024, seniors aged 65 and over were only responsible for one in five traffic accidents, which gives a differentiated picture of older drivers. Walker has the same circumstances, a negative image of this age group is often conveyed, which does not correspond to the real statistics.

If you consider the fact that seniors over 65 are the most common victims in traffic accidents - both as pedestrians and cyclists - you can see the complexity of the situation. The latest figures show that this age group is disproportionately represented among the injured. However, they are not particularly involved in car accidents. Uwe Strobel explains that insecurities in driving behavior do not only appear with age, but can also be found in younger drivers. In fact, concentration and vision can decrease with age, requiring some caution when driving.

The importance of self-criticism

As the ADAC emphasizes, seniors should examine their driving ability self-critically. It is important to be aware of your own physical and cognitive limitations. Seniors are often more at risk than dangerous in road traffic, which is underlined by the statistics: 18.5% of accidents with personal injury in 2023 were caused by people over 65 - a value that is below their share of the population of around 22%.

In addition, over 50% of pedestrians and cyclists who are fatally injured are 65 years of age or older. This highlights the need not to lose focus on older road users when it comes to road safety. The ADAC offers programs such as the “Driving Fitness Check” to help seniors optimize their driving technique and consider alternatives to driving in good time if health restrictions are perceived. Particularly worth mentioning is the “Safely Mobile” program, which is tailored to the needs of active road users aged 65 and over.

Training as the key to safety

Traffic statistics show that seniors are often involved in accidents, but less often due to excessive speed or alcohol. The most common driving errors are failure to respect the right of way or errors when turning, turning and parking. To counteract this, driving safety training is particularly valuable. These trainings can help reduce accident rates and strengthen the skills of older drivers by providing both practical exercises and theoretical knowledge.

There is often public discussion about mandatory testing in order to increase the road safety of older drivers. While some countries such as Great Britain have already taken steps in this direction, Federal Transport Minister Wissing rejects mandatory tests. In Germany there are currently no legal requirements for regular driving tests for seniors, but many experts such as Ulrich Chiellino from ADAC advise that it depends on the individual situation.

The fear of tests is unfounded, as specially trained driving instructors support the seniors. Uwe Strobel gives the example of a 94-year-old participant who was willing to give up driving if his doctor recommended it. This highlights the importance that seniors should speak openly about their ability to drive and, if necessary, consult a family doctor.

The discussion about road safety shows that it is important to find a balance between protecting older road users and their mobility. This makes it all the more important to have an open culture of discussion and a willingness to self-reflect.