Older Drivers Get Personal Safety Reviews | Auckland News

Auckland News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Sep 14, 2026 · 1m

Older drivers are getting a major policy shift: no more routine cognitive screenings just because of age. Health pros now only test if there’s a medical reason, focusing on each person’s unique abilities—not a number. This change, spurred by older drivers themselves and backed by a University of Auckland review, aims to keep seniors independent while ensuring road safety. The review found little evidence that standard tests reliably predict safe driving. Doctors still decide fitness to drive, weighing health, cognition, history, and safety—balancing autonomy with public safety. With over…