The morning of June 19 was marked by a drama of rare violence on the forecourt of Massy-Palaiseau station. It was 8:20 am, rush hour for users, when the driver of a Toyota Yaris lost control of his vehicle and rushed into the crowd. The shock caused a death – that of a mother in his fifty years – and at least four injured.
The 81 -year -old driver confused the pedals
According to the first observations, the driver, 81, confused the brake and accelerator pedals. He had just placed his children at the station when the vehicle suddenly accelerated, hitting the victim head on. A taxi driver present on the scene has described an overwhelming scene: “We heard a big” boom, the vehicle went straight and hit the entrance to the station. I heard very hard and one of my colleagues saw the victim from afar. It was folded in two on the ground. “
Rescue – Essonne firefighters and SMUR units – intervened in a few minutes. The motorist, his passenger, as well as two shocked witnesses who lost consciousness, were transported to the hospital. The investigation entrusted to the Palaiseau police officers is underway to clarify the precise circumstances of the accident.
Senior drivers, more exposed to serious accidents
According to the latest road safety figures, the number of people killed on the roads is generally downward. But this is not the case with seniors. Thus, among the 65-74 year olds, the number of killed 65-74 per million inhabitants is 50 killed, above the average which is 48 killed per million inhabitants. Among 75 and over, the average is even higher with 77 killed per million inhabitants. Figures that prompted a deputy to table a bill before the National Assembly in 2023. This aimed at the establishment of a compulsory medical examination among drivers over 70 years. But the legitimate project had finally been rejected.
However, the debate on the ability to lead to the great age remains current. According to Dr Gérald Kierzek, medical director of True Medical, it is essential to identify the signs of a weakening of the capacity necessary for driving:
“No, we do not keep all of his abilities to drive after 80 years. After a certain number of years, we lose our agility, visual and auditory acuity, our distance assessment is altered … without counting on certain treatments that can play on our attention”.
3 alert signals not to ignore
Sometimes it is time to make the keys to the car, or to remove them from the drivers who would no longer be able to the right reflexes. The emergency doctor insists on the importance of detecting the first signs of cognitive decline, even moderate in his relatives:
- “The first factor to be monitored is the alteration of cognitive functions: even light disorders of memory, attention or judgment must alert, as they compromise the ability to make rapid and appropriate decisions while driving”;
- Some pathologies must automatically have driving renounce: major visual disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, uncontrolled epilepsy, stroke history, unstable diabetes, or severe psychiatric disorders;
- Finally, the condition of the vehicle can also betray a drop in vigilance: frequent scratches, damaged bumper, hesitations in crossroads, eploding the highway code … So many signs that must be taken seriously.
“In the presence of these symptoms or diseases, it is recommended to consult a doctor to assess driving ability and, if necessary, consider stopping driving to preserve the safety of all”concludes Dr. Kierzek.
If age alone should not disqualify a driver, regular medical follow -up can prevent avoidable dramas.