I think that as you get older perhaps for some of us normal tasks get less important so actually taking the computer test is maybe a task too far so perhaps it serves a purpose that way. No pass no licence.A computer simulation is better than nothing I suppose, certainly better than in the UK at present..
As far as I'm aware elderly drivers are ok to drive however good or bad their health is.
The Spanish Model as you term it seems to change each time I am forced to take it, I assume to improve its purpose.The organisation I am part of deals with this. I would be very careful about stopping older drivers full stop as some that we see that have been referred to us by various health professionals are still safe to drive, and retain the learned skills and still have the mental capacity to still drive.
We assess drivers with medical drivers (and drivers without medical conditions referred to us by the police).
At the current moment as has been said previously after 70 the driver has to reapply for their licence, but it is self regulating. The issue is that a lot has to be put on the GPs and Consultants when trying to determine if someone is safe to drive, for which they really don't have the time to do. Our department (and national organisation) aren't big enough to see them all.
Re: the Spanish model. We were involved in the European organisation looking into this (which the Spanish are part of) and with providers of these simulators and in the research we did it was found there was no real correlation between the simulators and a practical assessment of somebodies driving.
It is a difficult situation and we are constantly trying to find accurate tests that reflect a real life driving situation.
The other issue is the DVLA medical group are so far behind with medical enquiries that by the time they get the information it is out of date and if a older driver is told not to drive until the DVLA make their decision then they de-skill and can become dangerous.
Another issue we have is the lack of "after care" when someone is told to stop driving as a lot of the organisations that help keep people mobile after driving cessation means family members are reluctant to stop older relatives from driving as they do not want to look after them. Again our organisation are expanding into this area and again it is just too big for us but we can't help everyone.
It is a constant struggle to find the best way forward short of self driving cars!
I suppose the other way of looking at is older people have managed to survive the pressures of life with a mixture pof fortune and careful living. Certainly they drive slower which is surely helpful should an accident occur.I was shocked when my father in law gave up his. He released himself that he was out of his depth and just stopped driving. What i want to know is why the women need to stop a car length from the junction line and then wonder why they cannot see down the road?
Does the doctor meet you in the arcade or do you go together?Every time I renew my driving licence in Spain (every 5 years) I have a medical including eye tests together with a general chat with their doctor.
My health card is then vetted by the doctor which links him to a computer that shows all my medical history and medication I am currently prescribed and using.
They then check my capability to steer a car on an adapted computer (with a steering wheel) that simulates road width, bends etc at various speeds.
My reaction and time evaluation test is looking at a computer screen with the rhs half only showing. A ball of white moves across the screen from right to left at different constant speeds. My task is to press a button when I think it reaches the extreme lhs. No doubt it will have changed next time I take it.
Not perfact but seemingly capable of filtering out those of us for whom age has limited our capabilities.
What do they do in UK?
There is certainly no age related bias but all part of the way a driving licence is renewed in Spain when you reach 70 plus.Does the doctor meet you in the arcade or do you go together?
Can you still pick a lambo over say a Nissan GTR?
Does he never go home?My Sister in laws husband ( 74 ) can only see out of his left eye really. Fortunately for him he only needs to turn all lefts for the golf club.
All that didn't stop some twat driving into the back of me at a motorway peage in SpainEvery time I renew my driving licence in Spain (every 5 years) I have a medical including eye tests together with a general chat with their doctor.
My health card is then vetted by the doctor which links him to a computer that shows all my medical history and medication I am currently prescribed and using.
They then check my capability to steer a car on an adapted computer (with a steering wheel) that simulates road width, bends etc at various speeds.
My reaction and time evaluation test is looking at a computer screen with the rhs half only showing. A ball of white moves across the screen from right to left at different constant speeds. My task is to press a button when I think it reaches the extreme lhs. No doubt it will have changed next time I take it.
Not perfact but seemingly capable of filtering out those of us for whom age has limited our capabilities.
What do they do in UK?
They are required to get the licence renewed and declare they are fit to drive.A computer simulation is better than nothing I suppose, certainly better than in the UK at present..
As far as I'm aware elderly drivers are ok to drive however good or bad their health is.