In a world shaped by movement, the act of driving often becomes more than a means of getting from A to B. It evolves into a symbol of independence, identity and connection. This deeply human dimension of mobility will take centre stage at a national one-day conference hosted at Austin Court on 28 April 2026, where leading voices in road safety and psychology will gather to examine what it truly means to grow older behind the wheel.
Organised by Road Safety GB and supported by GEM Motoring Assist, the event arrives at a pivotal moment. As the number of older licence holders continues to rise, so too does the urgency to rethink how society supports mature drivers in maintaining both safety and dignity.
At the heart of the conference is a keynote from Charles Musselwhite, Professor and Head of Psychology at Aberystwyth University. His research has become instrumental in reframing how we understand driving in later life. Rather than a simple on-off switch, the decision to reduce or relinquish driving emerges as a layered and often emotional transition, one that can ripple through a person’s sense of self and their connection to the outside world.
Musselwhite’s work highlights that giving up driving is rarely a single moment of clarity. It is a process, shaped by personal circumstances, health, confidence and access to alternative transport. For some, it is a carefully planned step, a gradual easing into new routines. For others, it can feel like an abrupt severing of autonomy, where the loss of a car key echoes far louder than expected. In more concerning cases, limited mobility options risk leaving individuals isolated, their world shrinking to the boundaries of their home.
This emotional terrain is precisely where organisations like GEM have focused their efforts. Long recognised for its commitment to road safety, GEM has consistently advocated for practical support systems that extend beyond the vehicle itself. From guidance for families and carers to backing research into safe mobility, its involvement in the conference underscores a broader mission: ensuring that older drivers are not simply managed, but meaningfully supported.
James Luckhurst, GEM’s Head of Road Safety, captures the spirit of the initiative with a measured clarity. Older drivers, he notes, play a vital role in fostering calmer, safer roads. Yet the moment when driving habits must change or come to an end remains one of the most challenging transitions many will face. The conference, therefore, is not just about policy or procedure. It is about listening, understanding and building frameworks that respect both the practical and emotional realities of ageing.
What emerges is a wider conversation about mobility as a cornerstone of modern life. Driving, after all, is not merely mechanical. It is woven into routines, relationships and the quiet assurance of independence. As policymakers, researchers and industry leaders convene in Birmingham, the goal is not to prolong driving at all costs, but to ensure that when change comes, it does so with empathy, preparation and choice.
Further information and booking details for the conference are available via the Road Safety GB website, inviting stakeholders across sectors to contribute to a future where mobility, in all its forms, remains accessible, safe and profoundly human.
