Aged drivers have different needs

They include visibility, seat belt position and size, ease of access, visibility of instruments, ease of use of controls and adjustability of the steering wheel, according to a study conducted by the RACQ. The Queensland auto club study was prompted after observing attendees at their Gold 50 member morning teas.

"We experienced first hand the mobility issues they have," technical services manager Steve Spalding says. "It's an eyeopener to see them lower themselves into a car. We've seen the obvious things such as the back seat belts are not big enough for some people and this has been an issue for some time," Spalding says.

"Car manufacturers can't take all these factors into account." He says the greatest improvement in cars in the past decade to affect older people has been upgraded safety features. That results in lower injuries and aged drivers are more susceptible to injury and have longer recovery times," he says. The worst feature about modern cars for older drivers is the reduction in visibility caused by aerodynamic designs that require wider A and C pillars, high boot lid and sloping rear windows, he says.

"Rear headrests also reduce visibility," he says.

Spalding wouldn't recommend particular vehicles for aged motorists, but urged them to rigorously test drive the vehicle before they buy. He says they should think about how they will use the vehicle.

"There are other things they need to think about such as child restraints for when they take the grandchildren for a drive, or whether they can fit a wheelchair in the boot," he says. Spalding says car manufacturers should be more proactive in supplying advice to aged buyers.

"The problem is they don't want to promote their product as an old person's car or brand," he says. "However, relevant info should be available at the point of sale, which means sales staff need to be educated."

For more information, visit www.racq.com.au.