It’s My Choice

This report arose from the acknowledgement of the age-inequality of road risk, and the recognition of two gaps in current discussions. It explores the demographic changes in the UK before going on to discuss safety and mobility, and bringing the two together in policy.

The title ‘It’s my choice’ reflects the main theme of the report: helping older people to help themselves, so that they can make better, safer, well-informed choices.

Main conclusions
With a safe and forgiving network, older people can enjoy mobility in later life. All forms of transport should be perceived as safe, convenient and integrated. The ideal which PACTS envisages is one where the transport system, and older people’s perceptions of the system, does not place any unnecessary restrictions on their mobility or impact on their quality of life.

The aim of this report is to widen the discussion on transport safety and the ageing population, in the hope that future conversations on the topic will extend beyond older drivers.

Driving should be made as safe as possible for as long as possible, through increased awareness and self-assessment and a national standard course available to all older drivers.

Further research is needed on the extent and effectiveness of self-regulation before it is relied upon to keep the growing number of older drivers safe.