Older drivers 'safest on roads'

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Older drivers are some of the safest drivers on the roads and forcing them to retake their tests would not necessarily be beneficial, a report has found.

In the RAC Foundation report it was shown that elderly drivers had better safety records on the roads than many young drivers and that forcing them to undertake mandatory retesting would not reduce accidents.

It also found that it could have a negative impact as it could limit elderly drivers mobility as 63% of all trips made by the over-70s are by car either as a driver or passenger. They also found that retesting could be difficult to police.

RAC Foundation director Professor Stephen Glaister said: "We are unlikely to see re-testing at 70 because, despite the myths, older drivers are no less safe than other age groups.

"Re-testing in this way could also contravene recently-passed equality legislation.

"Older drivers should be encouraged to do refresher training where the evidence shows it has benefits, but they should see this as an offer of help, not a compulsory measure which will leave them fearful of losing their licence and becoming increasingly housebound."

The report also found that 16% of the UK population is currently over the age of 65 and 53% of people over the age of 70 hold a driving licence. The RAC Foundation predicted that almost a quarter of the population will be over the age of 65 by 2023.

Copyright © Press Association 2010

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