Coroner’s concern over ‘compromised’ older drivers

Older drivers with “compromised” ability may cause further deaths, a coroner has said.

Rosemary Macandrew, 64, died from chest injuries after she was hit by a car “reversing at speed” in the car park of a Waitrose store in Newark, Nottinghamshire, in July 2024.

The car was driven by 89-year-old Noel Maguire who had reported back and leg pains to his GP, and went to an emergency centre in October 2023 with symptoms suspected to be the result of a mini stroke.

Assistant coroner for Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Beth Brown has issued a Prevention of Future Deaths report noting Mr Maguire’s medical conditions were self-reportable to the DVLA but no such referral had been made.

The driver died of dementia and gangrene in both feet eight months after the incident.

Following the inquest last month, Ms Brown sent a report to the secretary of state for transport, warning the number of older drivers was increasing “rapidly”.

The coroner wrote in the report: “The current system for vehicle licensing relies largely upon the self-awareness of a driver and their willingness and/or ability to self-report medical conditions to the DVLA.

“I am concerned that older drivers with vulnerabilities, including age, decreasing mobility and cognitive decline pose a risk of future deaths through compromised driving ability thereby creating a risk of deaths in the future.”

Ms Brown has also sent copies of the report to Ms Macandrew’s family, the driver’s GP and Nottinghamshire Police’s serious collision investigation unit.

It comes a month after Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said she was “open to considering” making older drivers pass eye tests to keep their driving licence.

Last month, HM Senior Coroner for Lancashire Dr James Adeley described the UK licensing system as the “laxest in Europe”.

He pointed out the UK was one of only three countries to rely upon self-reporting of visual conditions affecting the ability to drive.

A spokesperson for the Department for Transport said: “This is a tragic incident and our thoughts are with Rosemary’s family.

“All drivers are required to ensure they are medically fit to drive, and all car drivers over 70 must renew their licence every three years.

“The government is committed to improving road safety and we continue to explore ways to achieve this.”