Industry experts put focus on mature driver safety at conference

More than 110 road safety professionals gathered in Birmingham last week to share expertise on how best to support mature drivers to maintain their independence while at the same time enhancing their safety.

The UK’s population is ageing, with the proportion of people aged 65 and over increasing year-on-year. As a result, the number of mature drivers is also on the rise. Government data shows there were more than 6 million people aged 70 or over with a full driving licence in the UK as of September 2024.

The Mature Drivers’ Conference – hosted by Road Safety GB and supported by GEM Motoring Assist, The Road Safety Trust & Waymo – looked at this cohort of road users in the context of the Safe System approach to road safety.

James Gibson, executive director of Road Safety GB, said: “It was an excellent day, a day that brought together experts in this field of road safety. We were blessed with a stellar line-up of presenters that really know their subject area. The presentations were simply outstanding and we are so very grateful to all of our speakers.”

The event was opened by Lilian Greenwood MP, minister for local transport. In her keynote speech, Ms Greenwood stressed the importance of finding a balance between retaining older drivers’ independence and improving safety for all road users.

The agenda also included a presentation from Professor Charles Musselwhite, Aberystwyth University, who highlighted practical strategies for supporting older people, particularly when considering retiring from driving.

Meanwhile, Rob Heard MBE, who chaired the day’s proceedings, provided an evidence-based picture of older driver safety and provoke informed discussion on how best to support safe mobility in later life.

Other speakers included Dr Liz Box (ECM Research) & Tanya Fosdick (Agilysis), Dr Carol Hawley (Warwick University), Professor Richard Cuerden (TRL) and Nigel Lloyd-Jones (the Older Drivers Forum for Gloucestershire).

Paul Steinberg, Deputy Chief Executive at The Road Safety Trust (pictured), opened the afternoon session. He said: “The Road Safety Trust is proud to have supported this conference which has shone an important spotlight on the unique challenges faced by older drivers.

“Given the focus on this demographic within the Government’s National Road Safety Strategy, it’s important that there are supportive policies and interventions in place guided by research and insight, which can support mature drivers in maintaining their independence and safety on our roads.

“What’s been particularly valuable is the emphasis on real-world solutions. By bringing together research, policy and practice, events like this help to ensure that older drivers are recognised and supported to drive with confidence and dignity, while contributing to our wider goal of reducing serious and fatal collisions on our roads.”