Mature-aged motorists are under attack again.
Just months after an insurance company called for senior drivers to be compelled to put ‘S-plates’ on the back of their vehicles, a high ranking NSW police officer has gone a step further.
Assistant police commissioner, John Hartley, has said people over 70 should not be allowed to drive at all.
Reacting to statistics that showed an increase in the number of seniors killed in traffic accidents, the police chief said older motorists often found it increasingly difficult to keep their car centred in a lane and could go through red lights or stop signs and back into and over objects.
“It is these issues that put older drivers, their passengers, and other road users at great risk,” he told the Daily Telegraph.
If acted upon, the assistant commissioner’s suggestions would instantly take a huge percentage of grey nomads off their big adventures.
Council on the Ageing NSW CEO Ian Day wasted no time in slamming the suggestion, saying that it would condemn many over-70s – particularly those who lived in regional areas – to total isolation. “Anybody over 70 who doesn’t drive is basically locked away where they are,” he said.
And the NRMA slammed the proposal as being not based on fact.
“In 2015, a year in which the toll increased dramatically, 33 people over the age of 70 were killed driving a motor vehicle on NSW roads – that’s one more than in 2014,” said the motoring organisation’s president, Kyle Loades. “Statistics showed a greater increase in passenger, motorcyclist and pedestrian fatalities in this age group during 2015.”
Others pointed out that the Assistant Commissioner Hartley might be misinterpreting the statistics by confusing older people’s greater vulnerability to injury with a lack of driving skills.
“Older people are more likely to be seriously injured or killed because they become more frail, not because they are worse drivers,” said Combined Pensioners and Superannuants Association’s policy officer, Paul Versteege.
Of course once these peoples reach 70 it does not apply to themselves as there special.
Photos of this bloke would suggest he’s probably mid 50’s early 60’s. It will be interesting to hear his slant on this when he turns 70, assuming someone doesn’t run him over before then.
I was going yo travell oz. But injury prevented me. I live in Cervantes in w.a.3hrs drive north of Perth.i often need to attend hospitals for my stenosis and.compaction of my lower back. Most rimes i have s friend who lives in jurien drive me to perth and drive around perth. And back. Ive never felt insecure or nervious of my trip ans as my friend is 77. But has driven all jis life for telstra country. He tell me he is an alert driver and drives every day drops news papers off to friends an he drives himself to his specialist in Geraldton.2.5 hrs north of jurien.. so is mr hartly prepared to drive me around and take people to medical appointments. Nah.
I was going yo travell oz. But injury prevented me. I live in Cervantes in w.a.3hrs drive north of Perth. i often need to attend hospitals for my stenosis and.compaction of my lower back. Most times i have a friend who lives in jurien drive me to perth and drive around perth. And back. Ive never felt insecure or nervious of my trip and as my friend is 77. But has driven all his life for telstra country. He tell me he is an alert driver and drives every day drops news papers off to friends an he drives himself to his specialist in Geraldton.2.5 hrs north of jurien.. so is mr hartly prepared to drive me around and take people to medical appointments. Nah.
How ridiculous. The Government thinks we are OK to work until 70 years old, yet another Department thinks we are not fit to drive. We are an aging population, perhaps this is why the numbers have increased.
Totally agree Moira.
It would b e the end of bowls clubs, especially in rural areas!!!!!!
I’m 69 and driving Transperth buses in Perth. Be a shame to have to stop in 6 months time !!!! We also have 5 others over 70 still driving the buses.If he is a senior Policeman he is should know better. Wasn’t he trained as an investigator and to think things through?
If the government are going down this road !! ?? Then I suggest they (government ) start by putting in a SUPER public transport system into the country areas that so many senior drivers live — Put back ALL the old railway net works and put bus services on ALL roads and highways — then on the other hand wiat till “HE” gets to retirement and see how far he can travel in the country !! Wake up you younger critics you have to get to our ages !
I am 65, never had an accident other than reversing out of a car park. Minor. I have never disrespected the road rules, killed anyone and never get road rage at other drivers. I have a medium rigid licence and could still drive a truck or bus if I had too. I resent people thinking that my age limits my ability to be a safe driver. I got my dads licence taken off him in his 80’s, so maybe the older drivers families need to take on this responisibility if the felt their was danger to others.
Deputy Commissioner or not, this copper needs to be re-educated.
At 70 I still hold a NSW Heavy Combination drivers licence, still have 12 points on my licence, despite doing a huge number of kms on all roads in mainland Australia and not being booked for any offence, I have not as much put a mark on any vehicle. You owe us an apology mate.
Wake up to yourself John, you can’t be far off 70 yourself. Moira hit the nail on the head when she reminded us that this is an aging population, of course the number of older drivers on the road is increasing. I can remember the time the NSW road toll was 1,300 in one year (early 60s) so we are not doing too badly. It will never be zero even if you get rid of us ‘oldies’ off the road.
hi all. I agree with Moira Devlinjust….just another dope in a uniform with no idea on wats going on in the real world.
he sounds like a polly all dribble Im afraid
Once again the “70 plus” are doing it tough. Can you imagine retiring one day and not being allowed to drive the next day. What would be the point of looking forward to retiring?
Just proves the old adage. There are lies damned lies and then there are statistics.I would have thought an intelligent commissioner would delve a little deeper to obtain the TRUTH. NOW WHAT WAS THAT ABOUT PAYING PEANUTS AND MONKEYS????????
I would like to see the comparison of the number of under 30’s killed in a year,or involved in accidents.
Lies damned lies and statistics. Pretty shallow research to me.
Statistics are interpreted towards a desired outcome. Just shows how this assistant commissioner is out of touch!
Just imagine the effect on the economy if suddenly hardly any caravans, Motorhomes, etc were not being purchased because us retirees can no longer travel. We put a huge amount of money into country towns, the flow on effect from it all would be devastating.
Does this mean that when I am 70, I am going to starve to death. I am 10 minutes walk from a bus stop, or a 15 minute walk from a train station. When I get to the stop I am a 7 minute walk to the shop to buy food, then I have to carry it back in the reverse direction. And this would have to be done every second day because I would not be able to carry a week’s supply of food. Can’t ask the kids because both of them work and are a bit far away and have families of their own. I wish that Mr Police Commisioner would live in the real world
Have a lot of respect for Asst. Commissioner Hartley but in this case am in complete disagreement.
If they brought in a law such as this, there would be an awful lot of RV’s for sale. Parks would go broke.
Regarding Deputy Commissioner Hartley’s advice to “drivers over 70”, and their driving habits, one might question his motives in bringing his name to the notice of all and sundry, with such controversy, especially to his superiors who no doubt have not heard from him either speaking responsibly about his portfolio. Perhaps this is his first attempt to be offered early retirement citing the obvious onset of dementia!
How about some figures on the the under 50s could prove to be interesting
Right pick on the people that made Australia what it is today.
I am 69 in good health and have a good driving record.
I would like ALL drivers to do a driving test every 2 years.
Not just pick on the over 70 year old age group.
The police officer has shown his lack of common sense by generalising
.
After that over 70 group is banned then the same argument applies to the over 60,s, then the over 50,s etc. Eventually there is no one left driving. This chaps argument proves that common sense and intelligence are not bedfellows.
My OPINION,
This is outrageous to what the politic is doing to this country, and no one has a say anymore, for our rights and liability and we as human beings, not animals in a Zoo, behind bars and on a chain, we might as well be under marshal law the way the Politic from the Government has made policing of this country, we are all criminals for others that do cause problems. is being done in this country, I was once proud to be an Australian once. Some of the people rely on transport and can still drive, only a few have a health issue, drug, and alcohol problems. But every one has to pay for it one way or another and it is revenue and with heavy fines that people cannot afford, and if you are a pensioner, to badf to sad. The transport department is with the policing of every state is at all times chasing money for doing something for the country not the people, and a lot is not put where it should go to. The public sector, to get around and it costs money through the public transport options given and at there set time table to get from ( A to B ) and back. There is one rule for everyone, it is wrong and uprightly judged, by the law of this land that changes every day of the year, and by a few humans because they can cause they have a Diploma, only because what they think is as one is right for them, they don’t live with some that live in the real world. Can say a hole lot more but no one these days listens any more, so what is it we can say or do, we are not aloud to.
And in his next breath he will be complaining that people have no respect for the police force. I had always assumed that promotion and seniority indicated superior ???? but in his particular case it seems that his only attribute is superior stupidity.
i agree i think he needs a brain transplant i still drive semis at 70 the man is trying to blame people like us what about the p platers killing them selves does that not count
Dear Assistant Commissioner, every now and again even the most intelligent of people say the most stupid things. I believe you just said yours. How absurd a statement. Where’s the anti discrimination board in this. My suggestion – do us all a favour and resign. When you turn 70 in a few short years, I invite you to hand in your drivers licence. I will wave to you a I drive by.
I am amazed at the amount of cover this cop has received for his ill considered comment, the statistics just do not support what he is saying it’s amazing how things like this tend to be on a regular media cycle.
I am still a frontline operational police officer at 63 years young and 37 years in the job. With no disrespect intended towards the Assistant Commisioner, he really should pull his head out of his bum and get out of his ivory tower. What he claims to be the issue with older drivers, is not what I see in my day to day duties on the road. Statistical data that is used doesn’t tell the full story of why accidents occur. Data can be and is manipulated for many & varied reasons. I guess the upside is with my work vehicle having emergency warning lights fitted, other road users will get fair warning when The Old Copper is coming.
He really has shown how you should put your brain into gear before engaging the clutch on your mouth ! ! I have a Heavy Rigid licence, am 77 years (old?) and until I retired the second time, because I wanted to, not because I had to, drove a 14m 61 seat dual tag axle charter coach until 3 months before my 76th birthday. None of my passengers showed any concerns about my driving skills but sure had plenty to say about the younger drivers whom they could see doing alarmingly stupid things. This copper, no matter what his level of seniority, if he expects to get respect from the people he is policing, needs to re-examin his thinking on this one.
I am appalled by the Assistant Commissioner’s comments in relation to the ‘over 70’s’ giving up their driving licence. Does he not realise that people these days are living much healthier and longer lives, many into their 90’s and 100’s. My mother lived to 99 years and was still driving well, until 96 years old. She did a physical driving test every year from in her 80’s and passed with flying colours. She had all her faculties and was “sharp as a tack” on politicians, world events and general knowledge. She was also still playing 18 holes of golf at 96 (albeit in a motorised cart) as she was getting a little frail. Mr ‘Commissioner’ should not lump everyone in an “age group” as it all should be judged on ability, not because we have reached an age limit! Some are capable and some are not in ALL age groups. I am 74 years old, have a clean driving record, know the road rules and obey them, love driving and hope that I can continue for many more years to come.
Margi D
It doesn’t matter what subject you pick in our society there seems to be an enormous number of people in high positions who have this mindset that one size fits all when it comes to opinions and making laws and rules and here we go again with this commissioner who should have the experience to know better.
I am 74 and have continuously driven cars and high powered motorcycles at around the posted speed limit, where safe to do so. I also have a HR licence, which I do not use now. So I have been a driver for 56 years. In that time I have never had an accident and the only traffic infringement I have had was for doing 4 Km/s over the limit, down a hill.
While there must be elderly drivers who have various health problems we don’t all suffer the same way and anyone who thinks that must be a total idiot. His time would be better spent trying to bring about a change in the driving habits of some of the idiots that I see on the roads today, most of whom would be nowhere near elderly, and while he is at it change the law so that it is mandatory that anyone caught hooning in any way, shape or form, or being an habitual alcoholic or drugged driver should have their vehicle crushed. Removing their licence is laughable and only serves to encourage others to do the same.
Gidday all, thankfully for you all I have just retired at 56, this is the first time I have read these comments but may I say I NEVER spoke to the reporter nor did I make these comments. The reporter was provided with some statistics about the road toll and a media adviser attached to Nsw police provided some comment. I did not know till the document was published. I am normal and respect all us oldies I have a caravan and hope to drive till 80. My best wishes to you all retirement. Enjoy
Kind regards. John Hartley