What self-assessment questions should drivers over 65 in Victoria ask?
Victoria recommends that drivers over 65 regularly assess their safety using specific self-reflection questions. These include checking for difficulty turning your head, exhaustion after an hour of driving, or an increase in near-misses. Answering yes to any of these suggests you may need to change your driving behaviour.
✓ Accepted answer
Drivers over 65 in Victoria should regularly self-assess by asking if they experience head-turning difficulty, exhaustion after one hour of driving, or a rise in near-miss incidents.
Self-Assessment Questions: The Victoria Police recommend asking yourself the following questions to gauge your safety:
- Do I have difficulty turning my head to see over my shoulder?
- Do I find driving for an hour or more exhausting?
- Do I have difficulty maintaining concentration while driving?
- Have I had an increasing number of 'near-misses' on the road?
- Have passengers warned me about things I have not noticed?
Action Steps: Answering 'yes' to any of these suggests a need to change behaviour. Book a medical review with your doctor to check eyesight and reflexes. Use the 'Transition to Non-Driver' resources from the Victoria Police website to plan alternatives like public transport or community shuttles.
Support Networks: Consider the Victoria Seniors Road Safety program for practical mobility advice. In the US, the AAA Foundation notes that 83 percent of older drivers avoid discussing driving safety with family, so consider scheduling a specific conversation with a trusted person or reviewing AAA's senior driver resources for objective assessments.
Legal Responsibility: In Victoria, there is no automatic age-based testing; the responsibility lies with the driver to stop when no longer safe. Keep your licence photo current and monitor health changes annually.
Related Questions
- How can family caregivers identify the five levels of burnout in themselves?
- What is Paw Paw Mail and who is it designed for?
- How does long-term amiodarone use affect the optic nerve in elderly patients?
- How much does a $500,000 20-year term life insurance policy cost monthly in 2026?
- What small appliances work best for meal prep in a two-burner kitchen?