Ageing driver challenge
The RAC has warned of a road safety challenge as ageing baby boomers drive an increase in motorists in their 80s and 90s who are at greater risk of accidents.
As the population ages, the number of West Australians aged 85 and over soared to 36,637 last year from 13,885 in 1992.
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare predicts the number of Australians aged 85 and over will more than double to 883,000 in the next 20 years.
Matt Brown, from the RAC, said baby boomers born between 1946 and 1965 grew up depending on their cars.
"They have a strong sense that there is a right to drive so that in itself is going to make it more and more difficult to convince people that it's time to give up their licences," he said. Data showed drivers 65 and over had a significantly higher risk of accidents.
Mr Brown said there needed to be better alternative transport options for older people who had to stop driving.
Advancing years have proved to be no obstacle for Oswald Yeomans, who recently passed his driving test again at age 90.
The great-grandfather is 13 years younger than the oldest WA licensed driver, who is 103 years old.
