Elderly drivers in Victoria may soon face tighter licence requirements, as the state government considers new measures to improve road safety in the wake of a fatal crash involving a 91-year-old driver.
Victorian Roads Minister Melissa Horne has confirmed she has asked her department to review the current licensing regulations for older motorists, saying “nothing is off the table”.
The review follows a devastating accident earlier this month, when a car driven by a 91-year-old man veered off the road in Melbourne’s east, ploughing into a playground. The crash killed two grandparents and seriously injured a two-year-old boy.
“It became incumbent upon me to really have a look,” Horne told 7News. “Every lever that we can pull to save people’s lives is so important.”
Currently, Victoria does not impose mandatory medical or driving assessments based solely on age. Drivers are responsible for self-reporting any medical conditions, though those aged 75 and over must renew their licence every three years. That may involve medical or on-road testing, but it is not automatic.
This approach differs significantly from other states. In New South Wales and Queensland, for example, drivers over 75 must undergo an annual medical check. NSW goes a step further, requiring a practical driving test every two years for those aged 85 and above. Western Australia mandates annual medical reviews from the age of 80, while South Australia and the ACT also impose various assessments on older drivers.
The recent crash has reignited a long-running national debate around age and road safety. Russell White, founder of the Australian Road Safety Foundation, believes the tragedy should serve as a wake-up call.
“Sadly, it’s taken someone to have a serious incident and for lives to be lost for us to have discussions like this,” White said.
While some road safety advocates are calling for national consistency in elderly driver testing, others urge caution. Groups representing both medical professionals and seniors stress that driving ability should be judged on health and capability, not age alone.
“It’s important that any wholesale change you do implement needs to be part of a conversation with the community,” Minister Horne said.
Public opinion appears divided. A Yahoo News poll of over 2,600 readers found that more than half of respondents were against introducing tougher licence requirements for older drivers.
Still, the pressure for reform is growing as Australia’s population ages. Figures published in The Herald Sun reveal a 75 per cent surge in Victorian drivers over the age of 85 in the past decade. According to the Department of Transport, there are now nearly 70,000 drivers aged 85 or older in Victoria, up from just over 39,000 ten years ago.
Acting Premier Ben Carroll has also pledged to work closely with Minister Horne on the issue, acknowledging the urgent need for action.
“We must strike a balance between fairness and safety,” Carroll said. “But we can’t ignore the very real risks.”
The outcome of the government’s review could see Victoria join other jurisdictions in adopting age-related driving assessments – though any changes are likely to spark strong debate.
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