How can a local authority casualty reduction scheme help in the process of fitness to drive for those with dementia?

With the increasing age of the UK population, the proportion of older drivers on the road is also rising. Given that age is the most significant risk factor for developing dementia, it is apparent that large numbers of licensed drivers continue to drive after a dementia diagnosis. Research indicates that one in three people with dementia still drives, with many not reporting the condition to DVLA for a variety of reasons.

Around 19 in 100 people aged 85 to 89 years develop dementia. Dementia affects around 944,000 people across the UK with some areas having a greater number of people living with the condition than others. 

This paper looks at the three most common ‘headline grabber’ collision types that involve older drivers, and postulates that cognitive impairment is a major contributory factor. These are right turns across fast moving traffic, pedal confusion and travelling against the traffic flow on a dual carriageway.

It is generally recognised that standard driving assessments offered by local authorities and other organisations that use approved driving instructors (ADIs) are not suitably robust or experienced to enable those providers to be able to identify and deal appropriately with the drivers most likely to have this type of collision.

However, a long running scheme in Hampshire does this to good effect - through contacts with local GPs and older peoples’ mental health consultants. Not only does this scheme support family members who share the main brunt of keeping their loved one safe and legal, but it has also been able to demonstrate an impact on road casualties, sufficient enough to win a Prince Michael of Kent International Road Safety Award.

This paper gives details of how this was achieved and how the scheme has developed and improved since the award in 2007.


Graham Mylward, Senior Road Safety Officer, Hampshire County Council

Graham Mylward takes the lead on Hampshire’s Driver Skills Scheme 60+. Graham has been an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) for 25 years and has extensive experience in training and assessing drivers of all ages.

Since joining the Hampshire Road Safety Team in 2008, he has been mainly involved in working with older drivers and has spent a great deal of time in a public facing role, scrutinising driving assessment reports, and training selected ADIs to ensure a suitable service standard is maintained. 

His experience and knowledge have enabled him to present at national conferences, advise on national focus groups and make various videos about older driver assessments for different purposes, including three for the BBC.