"No to punitive measures for older drivers."

This is the position taken by Giovanni Mellino, President of ANAP (Association of Seniors and Pensioners) of Confartigianato Sardegna and national vice president, regarding the issue of license renewals for drivers over 70 and over 80, a topic that has returned to the center of political and social debate following several accidents involving drivers over eighty.

On the island there are approximately 170 thousand people over 70 years of age who are holders of
of driving license, «confirming the central role that the car continues to play
"To promote the mobility and independence of the elderly," ANAP Sardinia emphasizes, but "no one," a statement states, "can automatically classify those over 70 or over 80 as dangerous or unfit to drive. Enough with discrimination based solely on age."
"Road safety," says Mellino, "is a primary and fundamental asset, but we cannot accept measures that penalize seniors solely based on their age. The rules must be fair and proportionate, because most older people drive prudently and responsibly and deserve respect and trust."
The Government and the Ministry of Transport are evaluating new testing methods for drivers over 75 to renew their driving licenses. These include more complex reflex tests, cognitive and practical exams, possible driving restrictions, and greater involvement of medical boards.
«When it comes to driving safety it is right to adopt measures
rigorous to reduce accidents and casualties – continues Mellino – however
We cannot accept measures that automatically classify people over 70 or over 80 as dangerous or unfit to drive."
ANAP Confartigianato Sardegna recalls that the Italian legislation already
provides for a progressive system of more frequent renewals as the
of age, accompanied by a mandatory medical examination.
Currently, the license is renewed every 5 years until the age of 70, every 3
between 71 and 80 years and every 2 years after 81, with checks on
sight, hearing and general psychophysical fitness.
«If we want to strengthen this system it is right to focus on controls
targeted and truly effective, capable of photographing the real conditions
"What we will never accept is discrimination based exclusively on a driver's age, regardless of their psychophysical characteristics," Mellino emphasizes. "It does not meet scientific criteria nor does it guarantee greater safety."
The President of ANAP Sardinia also recalls the work carried out at European level: in 2023 the EU Commission presented the revision of the directive on driving licences, which was then approved by the Council, as part of the 2021-2030 road safety strategy, which aims to reduce deaths and serious injuries by 50% by 2030 and to eliminate them by 2050.
"Seniors are not a problem to be managed, but a resource for society, and they are not, in percentage terms, the main culprits in road accidents," concludes the President of ANAP Sardinia. "If we truly want to reduce deaths and injuries, we need a serious approach, based on concrete data and not prejudice. Let's work together for legislation that protects all drivers, young and old, without creating new social and economic injustices."

(Unioneonline)

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