Rigorous medical testing for older drivers

AMA SA’s Road Safety Committee Chair Dr Monika Moy has expressed concern about South Australia’s escalating road toll.

SA Police crash data shows 80 people have been killed in road fatalities as of 20 November 2024.

RAA analysis shows 37, or roughly 46% of those who lost their lives, were 60 or older.

‘AMA SA is increasingly concerned about South Australia’s road toll,’ Dr Moy says.

‘80 lives have been lost this year and that’s 80 too many.

‘The fact that almost half of all road fatalities this year involve someone aged 60 or older is cause for worry, but it’s wrong to assume older drivers are at fault because of their age alone.

‘It’s important that all road users have the ability and cognitive capacity to drive regardless of how old they are.’

AMA SA’s Road Safety Committee has been in communication with SAPOL and the Department for Infrastructure and Transport to develop more rigorous testing for assessing older drivers’ capacity behind the wheel.

The Committee has proposed changes to the fitness to drive form and the process of testing drivers.

‘We’re concerned the current testing process is very subjective and it’s in the interests of all road users to ensure thorough medical assessments are carried out,’ Dr Moy says.

‘Introducing mandatory medical exams for drivers 70 and older is one option AMA SA’s Road Safety Committee is considering, although it’s important that any changes are worthwhile and evidence-based.’

For more information or interview requests please contact Media and Communications Advisor Ben Terry on 0478 847 604.