Do people over 65 have to undergo a regular medical examination to get behind the wheel?
The question comes up regularly with accidents involving seniors on the road.
This Monday, a survey broadcast by RTL would show that a large majority of French people would be in favor of a visit to the doctor for older drivers.
75% would support the idea.
It would even garner the approval of 58% of the over 65s themselves.
Majority among the latter, however, the proposal remains quite divisive.
Six out of ten of them are also opposed to taking compulsory driving courses.
The elderly cause few accidents
People over 65 also, according to this opinion poll, trust the technology on board cars to ensure their safety and that of others.
In the list of contributions in recent years, they largely approve (nearly 90%) of automatic gearboxes, ahead of reversing cameras and automatic emergency braking.
The paradox of this support for an examination of the elderly is that it is not related to the reality of the accidents they cause.
They certainly cause around 10% of fatal accidents on the roads of France.
But drivers in the 18 to 24 age group are responsible for 20% of fatalities.
