Data, statements from the DGT and, yes, headlines that can lead to confusion. Once again, the information related to the body that manages road traffic in our country has caused a bit of a stir. This time in relation to drivers over 65 years of age. This is what we know.
Alarmism. It is not new that information related to the DGT raises a great deal of dust in the headlines of the media and on social networks. Nor is it the first time that the words “older drivers” and “DGT” end up causing a shock wave of certain dimensions.
The latest controversy comes in relation to the alleged limitations that the DGT has placed, will place or would like to place for older drivers to renew their driving licence. In the texts, the statements of the highest leaders of the organization are interspersed.
the only news. Most of the times in which the DGT leads (supposed) changes in the regulations, there is nothing. The only news is that there is no news and when we call the agency to verify the information, a mantra flies over everyone: “if there is any change, we will inform you in due time and you will find out”, they emphasize from the agency.
In this case, the process repeats itself: there is no official advance that the DGT wants to impose greater restrictions on drivers over 65 years of age. All that there is so far is an amalgamation of statements not always well transferred to the reader.
the intentions. Yes, it seems that the intentions are there, but the DGT has not ruled on the matter for a long time. In November 2021, Pere Navarro, director of the DGT, mentioned that “it seems excessive to me that a 90-year-old person can have their driving license for five years without renewing it.”
This time, the noise has been generated around some words by María José Aparicio, deputy director of the DGT. “We know that in the case of people of a certain age we will have to reduce them”, she mentioned during a day in road week. An event… from more than a year ago, because the words are from May 2022.
Since then, there has been nothing new, but some of the media have played with the statements of the top leaders of the organization to point out that the DGT will impose new restrictions on drivers when they exceed 65 years of age.
The data. “We have to protect the elderly, but always promoting their mobility, security and freedom,” Aparicio pointed out last year at the aforementioned event. And it is that the data indicates that traffic accidents are much more serious and deadly in older people.
According to data from the DGT, the risk of dying in a traffic accident is 2.5 times greater when people are over 65 years of age. And the chances of serious injury also increase by 9%. However, they also crash up to four times less than young drivers.
The restrictions. Technically, the restrictions already exist. For a driver, the psychometric test examiner may limit the conditions in which he can drive. He can require you to renew your license beforehand, that you only drive within a specific radius of kilometers from his house or that you cannot drive at night. According to 2018 dataalready then 81% of older people had some of these limitations.
In addition, if the doctor does not write down anything, from the age of 65, the renewal of the driving license is given every five yearsinstead of every 10. Despite everything, some forums, like Mapfre’sask for certain limitations because they ensure that 61% of “fit with limitations” have visual deficiencies that worsen rapidly at that age.
We will have to wait. Despite the noise generated, the truth is that limiting the age at which you can drive is swampy terrain. Especially when elections are coming up and those over 65 are decisive when choosing a new Executive.
Just like when we talked about the new DGT signs that came into force this year, we can apply the same maxim. At the moment, everything stops until the new Government and its intentions in terms of Traffic are known. To this we must add that words have always been vague and a clear reform has never been put on the table. Therefore, we will have to wait. And we don’t know how much.
In Xataka | The DGT allows legal driving at 150 km/h without being an emergency vehicle. The secret: a sign
Photo | Xataka with Bing
