Japan introducing new licence renewal rules for elderly drivers

Japan is planning to introduce new rules for elderly drivers. The scheme is intended to boost safety for older drivers aged 75 or more. There has been concern that with an ageing population, there will be an increased risk from elderly drivers with inadequate skills.
June 15, 2015 Read time: 1 min

Japan is planning to introduce new rules for elderly drivers.

The scheme is intended to boost safety for older drivers aged 75 or more. There has been concern that with an ageing population, there will be an increased risk from elderly drivers with inadequate skills. Drivers aged 75 or more will have to renew their driving licences should they become involved in a crash. They will also have to undertake tests to determine their cognitive abilities or whether they are suffering the onset of dementia. People failing the tests will lose their driving licence. At present drivers aged 75 or more are required to renew their licences every three years.

Statistically elderly drivers are not involved in a significantly large number of crashes.

The elderly tend to drive only comparatively short distances and are less likely to speed. Young novice drivers remain those most at risk of being involved in a crash.

However with average lifespans increasing, there are a growing number of older drivers using the road network in many developed countries, and Japan in particular.

Related Content

  • Cutting African road deaths with better safety measures
    March 16, 2020
    Using better safety measures will help cutting African road deaths.
    Read More
  • Safety barriers improve highway safety
    July 3, 2012
    Highway safety could yet improve using available technology more widely Safety barriers still offer huge opportunities to improve accident statistics worldwide. There is a wide array of products on the market to suit all types of installation and with a diverse range of solutions for each application. Highway authorities have been installing barriers for many years now and the technology continues to improve, however an analysis of accident statistics shows that barriers offer further potential. Details fr
    Read More
  • Roadmarking requirements can boost highway safety for road users
    April 11, 2013
    Road markings are an essential component of a modern infrastructure and an essential contributor to driver comfort and road safety. The COST 331 study, which ran from 1996 to 1999, mainly focused on dry night conditions and indicated that the increased luminance of road markings, results in a better delineation of the road and offers more reaction time for drivers. On average a slight increase in speed was noted, but the increased visibility was mainly converted into more reaction time. IMPROVER, which ran
    Read More
  • Improving road safety in Europe?
    July 24, 2012
    New plans by the European Commission are being proposed in a bid to reduce accident levels on the road. The changes are being made in a bid to reduce accident levels caused by defective vehicles. Under the new rules, all motorcycles and scooters would require technical inspections at regular intervals.
    Read More

Highlighted Content