7. DARREN HUGHES (Labour—Otaki) Link to this
to the Minister for Transport Safety
What changes are being made to the driver licensing regime for older drivers?
Hon HARRY DUYNHOVEN (Minister for Transport Safety) Link to this
Last week a new transport rule was signed, which will abolish the mandatory on-road driving test for those aged 80 and older, from December this year. The changes to older driver licensing will remove the stress and cost of taking the on-road test for most older drivers, permitting them to continue to drive for as long as they can do so, while ensuring that their safety, along with other road users, is preserved.
What educational and information initiatives are being introduced for older drivers, their families, and general practitioners to help them understand what the new licensing system will be about?
Hon HARRY DUYNHOVEN Link to this
The following educational initiatives will accompany the introduction of the new older driver licensing system: first, new funding for a nationwide expansion of the popular Safe with Age road safety classroom course; second, a subsidy for a private on-road driving lesson for Safe with Age course participants; third, new educational publications for older people on driving safely, maintaining mobility, and helping them plan for the future; and, lastly, regional seminars for general practitioners to educate them about the new licensing changes and what that will mean for general practitioners.
Peter BrownIs the Minister aware that some general practitioners have some real concerns about having to determine whether an elderly person is fit to drive, being the last line of defence so to speak; if so, can he give the House an assurance that he has overcome the concerns of those general practitioners?
Hon HARRY DUYNHOVEN Link to this
Representatives from the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners were members of the consultative group that recommended changes to older driver licensing and they were fully involved all the way through. A large amount of work has been done with general practitioners, and the reason for having the educational programme, which will go on from now, is to outline the options available to general practitioners where they are concerned about an older driver’s ability to drive safely, even if the driver passes the tests that will be in place—and, indeed, are already in place. I am very confident that in circumstances where a general practitioner has examined a patient who is 75 or over and has decided that the patient is medically fit but is uncertain about the patient’s ability to drive safely, then the general practitioner will refer the patient, as necessary, for an on-road safety test. But I think that will be a rare event.