Aussies aged 50 and over should take compulsory driving lessons to reduce crashes, experts say

A controversial new report has recommended Aussie motorists over the age of 50 should take driving lessons to reduce accidents on the roads.

The latest study conducted by UNSW in Sydney has found the move will help improve the performance of older drivers behind the wheel.

A recent survey by insurer AAMI found drivers aged over 65 were most likely to be involved in a car crash and account for 26 per cent of all crashes.

The survey also revealed that men were at more risk, with 52 per cent involved in crashes on the road.

UNSW Scientia Professor Kaarin Antsey said drivers in their 50s should take extra driving lessons to make sure they update their skills.

'People don't naturally ask themselves "do I need to update my driving skills",' Professor Antsey said.

'It could be something like, when you turn 50 you're invited to have an extra driving lesson just to check in on your driving.

'At the moment you'd only get that if you had something wrong with your driving.'

Professor Antsey said there had been an uptick in crashes in people aged over 80.

'Until recently, the way that has been managed is through regulation, in licence removal, which is basically an all-or-nothing approach,' she said.

Professor Antsey said some of the errors detected during the trial were not all because of old age.

'A lot of these are just bad habits that drivers have brought with them from their younger years,' she said.

'We see a lot of people not checking blind spots, not taking right hand turns properly, cutting corners, or not maintaining their lane position.'

Professor Antsey has lead several studies about ways to improve the safety of older drivers, with the most recent research called the Better Drive Study.

The controlled trial consisted of a random sample of drivers aged over 65, who were placed into three groups, with the study conducted over a one-year period.

The aim of the study was to detect whether the driving skills of older motorists can be improved despite their physical and cognitive challenges.

One group took part in a road rules refresher course while the second group were provided video feedback on their driving.

The final group were given video feedback and also received specific driving lessons to help them fix their errors.

The results from the research are yet to be analysed however, some of the findings indicate the study helped participants improve their driving skills.

'In our pilot study... we found that of the people that had our intervention involving driving lessons and video feedback, we moved a significant proportion from unsafe to safe drivers and we reduced their driving errors,' Professor Antsey said.

The results are set to be released in 2025.