In Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, serious accidents involving drivers aged 75 and older have surged by 35% over the past decade, totaling approximately 430 incidents.

Amid rising concerns, discussions are ongoing about the necessity of mandatory health checks for older drivers, although the EU Parliament has recently opposed such measures.

Traffic experts propose 'feedback drives' as a viable solution for enhancing safety among senior drivers, where they receive confidential feedback after a professional driving session.

The Landesseniorenrat Schleswig-Holstein has raised alarms about potential age discrimination in insurance practices, advocating for voluntary driving tests to help older drivers maintain their premiums.

Similarly, in Niedersachsen, the number of accidents involving seniors has only slightly decreased by five percent, resulting in around 2,700 cases during the same timeframe.

Experts attribute the heightened accident risk among older drivers to declines in attention, concentration, and reaction times, especially in complex traffic scenarios.

Kirstin Zeidler from the GDV supports the concept of 'feedback drives,' which provide senior drivers with evaluations after a 45-minute drive, enabling them to adjust their driving habits without jeopardizing their licenses.

New EU regulations mandate that Germany implement one of three measures for renewing driving licenses every 15 years, with 'feedback drives' considered the most appropriate for drivers aged 75 and older.

Currently, license renewal for individuals over 70 is voluntary, although some driving schools offer refresher courses and feedback rides specifically for seniors.

Josef Meyer, vice-chairman of the Landesseniorenrat, emphasizes the need for supportive measures rather than punitive premium increases for older drivers.

Many older individuals depend on cars for transportation, particularly in rural areas where public transport options are limited, which contributes to their increased presence on the roads.

Statistical data indicates that elderly drivers are more frequently accused of traffic violations, such as failing to yield the right of way, compared to those under 65.