Législation et conduite automobile du sujet âgé

Driving is an integral part of the everyday life of senior citizens and contributes to the maintenance of their independence. In France, several groups of experts were asked to reassess the medical contraindications to driving, but no political measures have been taken till now. The role of the physician remains highly controversial. Foreign driving laws are presented in this article. Concerning older drivers with multiple pathologies, fitness to drive evaluation criteria are diverse and excessive strictness could be source of desocialisation. Research is presently aimed at developing appropriate evaluation methods that do not stigmatize the older driver.