A survey determines the acceptance of health tests among drivers in Germany. Most respondents would like a clear time window.
Hanover - While there are regularly heated debates in the federal government about mandatory health tests for older drivers, the mood among the population is probably less heated. A current survey by YouGov, which was commissioned by the automotive supplier Continental, is causing one or two surprises.
Last year, Transport Minister Volker Wissing emphasized in an interview with the Funke media group: He did not want “individuals to be increasingly made into objects, to have to undergo compulsory examinations and to go about their everyday lives according to a catalog of regulations”. Almost two thirds of those surveyed in the current survey apparently see it differently.
Mandatory driving license health tests for pensioners and seniors: survey results are astonishing
A total of 64 percent stated that they considered medical examinations to be useful with regard to fitness to drive - for drivers of all ages. Slightly fewer, but still over half (53 percent) of those surveyed were also in favor of linking the validity of the driving license to such tests for seniors and pensioners aged 70 and over.
According to the statements from the current survey, the intervals between health checks should not be too long. Almost half (49 percent) were in favor of short examination intervals for drivers. There should be a maximum of two years between health tests.
Survey results on health tests for drivers: How often they should take place
In the YouGov survey, a total of 2,055 representatively selected citizens aged 18 and over from all over Germany were surveyed in March. It also became apparent that regular health checks were particularly desired by the youngest group of respondents. A full 75 percent of 18 to 29 year olds found regular health checks useful.
The situation is different for those over 70 years old. Around half of these respondents were only in favor of such tests as long as they were not a prerequisite for extending their driving license. However, 73 percent of those surveyed in the affected age group rejected a restriction on driving licenses from the age of 70 with a health check before each extension, while 71 percent of those aged 18 to 29 supported the idea. A similar picture emerged from a similar driving license survey last year.
Driving license tests for seniors and pensioners - the EU has already rowed back
With regard to particularly dangerous situations in road traffic, 50 percent of those surveyed stated that they found unfavorable weather to be particularly unpleasant. 49 percent complained about other road users, 48 percent felt unsafe when visibility was poor. In the age group over 70, night driving was mentioned disproportionately often, at 42 percent.
The EU Parliament decided in March to leave it to the EU states whether they wanted to introduce mandatory regular health examinations for drivers. Federal Transport Minister Volker Wissing has already rejected this for Germany. The EU Commission was originally planning to make health checks for older drivers, as they already exist in several EU countries, mandatory throughout Europe.
(slo/dpa)