An 83-year-old has been charged after a crash that killed a woman at a café earlier this year, bringing renewed attention to the growing number of elderly drivers on our roads.
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Sarah Clark, 44, died in hospital after the crash. Her daughter, Hannah, was also injured. The driver has been summoned to appear in court later this month.
The case comes as New Zealand's driving population continues to age.
Over the past decade, the number of licensed drivers aged 75 and over has jumped 53%, far exceeding the 17% growth in the total licensed driving population, according to figures obtained by 1News.
As of April this year, 11,806 people aged 90 hold a current driver's licence, up 40% from 10 years ago.
The rising number of older drivers raises an inevitable question: are elderly motorists less safe behind the wheel?
The data suggests that the answer isn’t straightforward.
Older drivers are involved in proportionally fewer crashes than younger drivers. Researchers say that’s because many seniors adapt their driving habits as they age, avoiding difficult conditions such as driving at night, in heavy rain or during peak traffic.
However, when older people are involved in crashes, the consequences can be more severe.
Because older bodies are more fragile, seniors are significantly more likely to suffer serious injuries or die in a crash than younger people.
Ministry of Transport data shows drivers aged 80 and over were the second-highest age group involved in fatal crashes, behind only 15- to 19-year-olds.
The danger zone
One area where older drivers face greater risk is at intersections.
According to the AA, older drivers are up to 2.5 times more likely than younger motorists to be involved in fatal or serious crashes at intersections.
Experts say intersections place heavy demands on drivers, requiring them to judge gaps in traffic, monitor multiple directions at once, and make quick decisions.
These tasks can become more challenging as reaction times slow with age.
How New Zealand manages the risk of older drivers
The Government announced significant changes to New Zealand’s driver licensing system this year, including removing the requirement for drivers to sit a second practical test to obtain a full licence, extending the learner licence period for those under 25, and expanding the zero-alcohol limit for young drivers.
However, the rules for older drivers remain unchanged.
A driver's licence expires at age 75, again at age 80, and every two years after that.
To renew, drivers must undergo a medical assessment by a doctor or nurse practitioner. The assessment considers physical health, medical history, memory and cognitive function.
The appointment is not government-funded, meaning drivers must cover the cost themselves. Many clinics also charge for a longer consultation because of the additional time required to complete the assessment.
The assessment may clear a driver to continue driving, impose conditions on their licence (such as wearing glasses or driving only at certain times), require an on-road safety test, or lead to a specialist referral.
If a driver is found not medically fit to drive, their licence will not be renewed and they can no longer legally drive.
For many older New Zealanders, that can be a difficult transition. Losing the ability to drive often means losing a degree of independence, particularly in areas where public transport options are limited.
Support is available through schemes such as free off-peak public transport for SuperGold Card holders and subsidised transport through the Total Mobility programme.
Is NZ prepared for a 'grey tsunami' on our roads? - Watch on TVNZ+
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