The Victorian government is weighing new regulations for elderly drivers as part of a broader push to enhance road safety.
The review, announced by Roads Minister Melissa Horne, follows a devastating crash in Wantirna South last month and multiple crashes by elderly Victorians over the last three weeks. These incidents have reignited debate about whether older drivers should face stricter licensing requirements to ensure they remain safe behind the wheel.
“We’re looking at every lever we can pull to save lives,” Minister Horne told 7News, confirming that her department is reviewing current regulations for elderly drivers.
Unlike some other Australian states, Victoria currently has no mandatory age-based driving tests. Drivers aged 75 and older must renew their licences every three years, which may include various assessments, but the onus remains on individuals to self-report medical conditions that could impair their driving.
The absence of consistent, mandatory checks has drawn scrutiny, especially as Victoria’s elderly driver population surges. Department of Transport figures reveal a 75% increase in drivers over 85 in the past decade, with nearly 70,000 now on the roads compared to 39,000 ten years ago. This demographic shift, coupled with the recent tragedy, has intensified calls for reform.
A national patchwork of rules
Victoria’s approach contrasts with stricter regulations in other states. New South Wales, for instance, requires drivers over 75 to undergo annual medical checks, with practical driving tests every two years from age 85.
Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory also mandate annual health assessments for those over 75, while Western Australia requires them from age 80. South Australia relies on self-assessments for older drivers, with medical or driving tests only if concerns arise. Tasmania and the Northern Territory, like Victoria, have no mandatory checks, relying instead on self-reporting.
Road safety advocates, including Russell White of the Australian Road Safety Foundation, argue for a national standard. “It’s taken a tragedy to spark this conversation,” White told Yahoo News, urging standardised testing to address the growing risks posed by an ageing population.
Balancing safety and independence
The debate is not without contention. A Yahoo News poll of over 6,000 readers found more than half oppose tougher requirements for older drivers, reflecting concerns about ageism and loss of independence.
Dr Anita Muñoz, Victorian chair of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, emphasised that age alone isn’t a barrier to safe driving. “Fitness to drive is what matters,” she said, advocating for proactive discussions about road safety across all ages.
Ben Rogers, CEO of the Council on the Ageing Victoria, echoed this sentiment, cautioning against blanket restrictions. “Driving is a privilege, not a right, but it’s about ability, not age,” he told Yahoo News. Rogers supports ongoing discussions but prefers Victoria’s current focus on individual capability over mandatory age-based tests.
Learning from global models
Internationally, countries like Japan and parts of the European Union offer potential blueprints. Japan mandates cognitive and driving tests for drivers over 70, while Italy requires fitness-to-drive assessments every three years after 70.
These systems balance safety with mobility through restricted licences, such as daytime-only driving, which could be a model for Australia.
A path forward
The Wantirna South crash has underscored the need for action, but any changes must involve community consultation, Minister Horne stressed. Proposals gaining traction include adopting NSW’s model of annual medical checks from age 75 and driving tests from 80, alongside offering restricted licences to preserve independence.
Improved public transport and driver-awareness programmes could also address concerns about isolation for those who lose their licences.
As investigations into the Wantirna South incident continue, the Victorian government faces a delicate task: ensuring road safety while respecting the autonomy of older drivers. With the number of elderly road users rising, the time for a unified, evidence-based approach is now.
