Citizens aged 65 and over in Baden-Württemberg will in future be able to surrender their driving license in exchange for an annual public transport ticket.
Stuttgart - Over a third of road users who have had a fatal accident on the road are 65 and older.
These statistics form the basis for a new project by the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Transport, which will start on December 1st of this year.
On the one hand, the green-black state government wants to ensure more safety on the country's roads and, on the other hand, not restrict retirees in their mobility.
In order to manage this balancing act, State Transport Minister Winfried Hermann launched the “Bus and Train Instead of Driving License” initiative.
Public transport ticket in exchange for a driver's license - Ministry of Transport presents a new initiative
Citizens aged 65 and over in Baden-Württemberg therefore have the opportunity from December to exchange their driving license once for a free annual ticket for one of 14 participating transport associations. In this way, the Ministry of Transport wants to make it easier for citizens to access public transport and at the same time create incentives for people to voluntarily waive their driving license.
“You don't need a driver's license to be mobile.
For many regions of Baden-Württemberg, destinations are easily accessible by bus and train, ”explains Transport Minister Hermann in a press release from his ministry.
“Those who don't own a car also save money and travel even cheaper with an annual subscription and occasional taxi rides,” continues the Green politician.
In the justification for the offer, the Minister of Transport refers primarily to the significantly increased risk of accidents that road users over 65 pose.
Not only would this group have a disproportionate share of traffic accidents in comparison to the other age groups, but, as drivers, would also be the main culprit in 68.7 percent of accidents.
For more road safety: Retirees receive additional incentives to forego driving licenses
The Baden-Württemberg State Seniors' Council also welcomes the Ministry of Transport's project and sees it as an opportunity for older people and pensioners to make a “long overdue, but postponed decision.” “When driving a car in city traffic due to physical disabilities or poor performance It becomes more and more difficult to see and hear and you feel insecure, this offer can be an incentive or a final impetus to return your driving license, ”continues Bernd Ebert from the regional seniors' council.
The requirements for exchanging a driver's license are low.
All citizens aged 65 and over who have their main residence in a corresponding transport association are eligible to participate.
In return, however, a permanent waiver of the driver's license must be made.
The state of Baden-Württemberg is contributing three million euros to the project.
The remaining costs are borne by the participating transport associations.
(fd)
