Baby boomers, born between 1946 and 1964, have been active participants in traffic since their youth. As they age, conditions can arise that affect driving ability, leading to an increase in accidents among older drivers. The Center for Safe Mobility, established in 2015 and supported by the Flemish Foundation for Road Safety (VSV), scientifically assesses the driving skills of older drivers and promotes safe road participation. In addition to the center in Hasselt, there are now branches in Ghent, Mechelen, and Brugge.
Since September 2025, individuals aged 70 and over can visit the Geriatric Day Hospital at AZ Sint-Jan Brugge for a driving skills evaluation. The initiative combines medical fitness to drive assessments with cognitive tests for attention and reaction speed, and a practical on-road driving assessment. The latter is conducted in the patient's own car, accompanied by a partner or family member, and supervised by a professional driving instructor focusing on speed, vehicle control, and observation strategies. This is not an exam, but an evaluation focused on risks.
For many, driving represents more than just transportation; it symbolizes freedom and independence. With age, the risk of conditions affecting safe road participation increases, such as reduced vision, slower reaction times, medication use, cognitive issues, or a less thorough knowledge of traffic regulations. The center identifies these factors and provides appropriate advice to help older road users remain active and safe in traffic for as long as possible.
The evaluation is multidisciplinary within the Geriatric Day Hospital. A nurse begins with basic examinations, followed by an occupational therapy assessment. Occupational therapists Nanou and Fara emphasize the importance of maintaining self-reliance, mobility, and participation. They conduct a comprehensive assessment of the patient's driving fitness, viewing the patient within their personal, social, and physical context. An intake interview maps the patient's daily functioning and frailty level, and loved ones may separately complete a 'red flag checklist'. Various tests then evaluate cognitive functions, attention, mobility, and understanding of traffic situations.
The geriatrician performs an anamnesis and clinical examination to determine if the patient meets the legally mandated physical and mental minimum standards. Based on all collected data, an initial recommendation is formulated: positive driving, positive with conditions (requiring targeted training for learnable issues like vision or traffic insight), a gradual 'fade-out scenario' towards stopping driving, or a negative recommendation with assistance in finding alternative transportation to maintain maximum mobility. The final advice is always discussed with the patient and, if desired, their loved ones.
The first patient was seen on September 25, 2025. A year later, the center has reached 50 patients, comprising 17 women and 33 men. Patients are primarily referred by GPs, family, neurologists, geriatricians, or the police court. The center emphasizes that age is not the sole factor, but rather that every driver deserves to be on the road safely and with confidence.
