Drive safe

Vision

Maintaining eye health and getting regular eye checks is critical. 

Good vision is essential for safe driving. It plays a vital role in:

• Detecting hazards
• Maintaining awareness of your surroundings
• Making safe and informed driving decisions
• Responding effectively to road conditions

As we age, our vision can gradually change. Particularly with difficulties when driving at night.

You should monitor changes with your vision and field of view (everything you can see straight ahead and to the sides without moving your head).

Actions you should take

• Keep up to date with your eyesight checks. Visit an optician if you notice any changes. Check if you are eligible for a free NHS eyesight test.
• Maintain a safe speed when in busy conditions. This can help you respond when a vehicle moves into your side vision. For example, a car, motorbike or cyclist changing lanes. 
• Follow the 'See the tyres rule' when stopped behind another vehicle or when in light traffic. The 'See the tyres rule' means being able to see the rear tyres of the car in front touching the road. This means you will have enough space to manoeuvre. It will reduce the risk of a collision should the vehicle in front roll back.  
• Use blind spot mirrors. They can give you a wider view, especially of the lanes next to you. This could help you respond to hazards faster.

Cognitive changes

Our brains change as we age and the way we process information can change over time. These are cognitive changes. This happens at different times for different people.  

Be honest if you notice any cognitive changes, particularly when you drive.  

What to look out for if you notice cognitive changes: 

• When our brain ages it might take longer to process information from the environment. This can delay decision making and actions. 
• Difficulties with memory and planning. For example, feeling disorientated, missing a turn or forgetting a familiar journey. Driving often involves doing many different tasks. Memory changes may make it harder to complete these tasks. You may feel confused or complete the tasks in a different order. 
• Is any prescribed medication affecting your fitness to drive safely?

Actions you should take

• Have honest conversations about medical conditions and if they are impacting on your fitness to drive. Find out more about free NHS health checks.
• Get early support from your GP
• Check all medication you take is safe for you to drive.  Always ask yourself if you feel fit and focused to drive after you have taken any prescribed medication. 
• Give yourself plenty of space between your vehicle and the vehicle in front
• Recognise when it may be time to explore alternative transport options
• Book a medical driving assessment from East Anglian Driveability
• Contact DVLA to update them with any reportable medical conditions. The current system relies on self-reporting. It is important you put your personal safety and the safety of others over driving convenience. 

Car technology 

Many modern cars have technology that can help you drive safely. For example:

• Parking sensors and rear-view cameras
• Satellite navigation systems
• Adaptive cruise control
• Speed limiters
• Lane departure warning systems

Online resources

• Advice, support and training for older road users
• Tips and best practices for safe driving in later years on the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) website
• Complete the self assessment checklist on the Older Drivers website
• Guidance for family and friends on how to help older drivers on the Older Drivers website
• Learn more about how Norwich is becoming an age friendly city on the Age UK website

Partner support for this campaign

We are working to support drivers aged 60 and over, in partnership with:

• Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service
• Norfolk Constabulary
• East of England Ambulance Service 

"For many of us, driving is a part of daily life, and the idea that we might need support, or some advice, to drive safely is difficult to swallow. But it's natural that as we get older our reactions slow down, our eyesight isn't as good, or any number of other things can happen that affect our driving skills."

- Cllr Fran Whymark, Cabinet Member for Public Health

"We want all road users to stay safe and well, having regular health checks and paying attention to how they are feeling about driving in general or driving in certain conditions. We would always advise people to use the safest mode of transport for them, knowing that we all contribute to the safety of Norfolk's roads."

- Emyr Gough, Head of Prevention and Protection at Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service

"Driving is a very important part of our independence when we age, in particular when we live in a rural location. Unfortunately, ageing changes can affect our driving safety, even if we have been excellent drivers for many decades. It is, therefore, very important for us to get our eye sight, mobility and cognition checked, so that we can remain safe drivers and keep our independence."

- Professor Michael Hornberger, Professor of Applied Dementia Research at UEA

"We all have a responsibility to keep ourselves and other road users safe. This can mean maintaining the condition of your vehicle or not using your mobile phone behind the wheel but as we get older, this can also mean assessing your driving capability. It is important that we routinely review our eyesight and health changes which may affect our driving. This can enable us to stay safer for longer." 

- Insp Will Drummond, from the Roads and Armed Policing Team