Senior citizens swap cars for buses and trains
Get away from the wheel and switch to buses and trains: The Association of Towns and Municipalities considers free Germany tickets for senior citizens who voluntarily give up their driving license to be a good idea. However, CEO Gerd Landsberg rejects a general check of driving ability from a certain age, as he told the Funke Mediengruppe newspaper (Saturday). The ADAC agrees in principle.
"If local authorities offer older people the chance to use local public transport free of charge when they hand in their driving license, that is a sensible initiative," said Landsberg. "A free Germany ticket for a certain period of time makes it easier for older people in particular to give up their cars." Landsberg cited sufficient public transport services as a prerequisite.
Waiting for the bus with heavy bags
And this is a problem in rural areas in particular. In quite a few villages, a public bus only runs a few times a day. And then waiting at the bus stop with heavy shopping bags? This is probably not an option for many senior citizens.
The background to Landsberg's comments is an ongoing debate about the EU Commission's plans. The draft of a new European transport directive stipulates that drivers over the age of 70 must refresh their driving license every five years. Their state of health would also be assessed by means of a mandatory medical examination or a self-assessment. According to the Commission's plans, EU member states will be able to decide for themselves which of the two options applies to them.
A spokeswoman for the ADAC automobile club told the German Press Agency on Saturday: "A free Germany ticket for senior citizens who voluntarily give up their driving license can make this decision easier for them and help to maintain their mobility." However: "It is important that this decision is made voluntarily."
Senior citizens should be aware that the offer is likely to be limited in time, the spokeswoman added.
Will the 49-euro ticket remain permanent?
In any case, it is unclear whether the 49-euro ticket will remain in place permanently. A week ago, the Federal Constitutional Court ruled, following a complaint by the CDU/CSU parliamentary group, that 60 billion euros in loans intended for coronavirus consequences may not flow into the Climate and Transformation Fund. It is now unclear how the German government will finance important projects. This includes the Deutschlandticket for regional public transport.
The discussion about whether drivers over a certain age should give up their driving license or take tests to see if they can still drive is nothing new. "We do not believe that a general check of driving ability from a certain age is expedient," said Landsberg. "The mental and physical ability to drive cannot be determined solely by an age limit." Transport Minister Volker Wissing (FDP) has also repeatedly spoken out against stricter rules for older road users.
There are different views on the extent to which older people pose a risk on the roads: According to the German Road Safety Council, the proportion of people aged 65 or over in the total population is currently around 22 percent. However, only around 14.5% of all people involved in accidents resulting in personal injury belong to this age group.
Despite the ongoing debate about mandatory driving tests for seniors, senior citizens in rural areas often face challenges using public transportation, such as long waits and limited bus schedules, making it difficult to carry heavy shopping bags. With the proposal for free Germany tickets for senior citizens who voluntarily give up their driving licenses, the Association of Towns and Municipalities hopes to encourage more seniors to use public transportation.
Source: www.dpa.com
