“We see no reason for that”: Wissing rejects health checks for older drivers

In the debate about new EU driving license rules for senior citizens Federal Transport Minister Volker Wissing sees more specifications critically.

“The basic question is: Is there any reason at all for additional requirements to be made here,” said the FDP politician on Thursday when asked by the German Press Agency before a meeting with his counterparts from the other EU countries in Luxembourg . Went by older drivers no significantly higher accident figures off, according to the minister.

In detail, you have to take a closer look at the topic. “But I’m very skeptical,” emphasized Wissing. The background is an ongoing debate about Plans by the EU Commission for new driving license regulations. One of the goals is to make the roads in the EU safer. In this regard, new rules for seniors are also planned.

According to the Commission, this means that People over 70 should either complete a self-assessment of fitness to drive or have a medical exam every five years shall be.

“The decision whether to self-assess or check with a doctor is up to the Member States,” writes the Commission. white clarified his position on the mandatory health test on Thursday: “We see no reason for this and will also do so clearly opposed position make it clear here.”

There are different views on the extent to which older people pose a risk in road traffic: According to the German Road Safety Council, the proportion of people aged 65 or more in the total population is currently around 22 percent. But only about 14.5 percent of all those involved in accidents with personal injury can be assigned to this age group.

Siegfried Brockmann, head of accident research at the insurers, said at the end of April of the dpa: The statistics say in absolute numbers that seniors do not have an excessive risk of accidents. “Seniors drive much less by car. In terms of mileage, seniors have a higher accident risk – similar to 18 to 24 year olds.” (dpa)