Safety fears as over-70s refuse to stop driving

THERE are 10,000 more motorists aged 70 and over every month as older drivers refuse to give up their licences.

And there are 232 drivers over the age of 100 still licensed – with the oldest 107.

There are 4.34million drivers over 70 – 320,000 more than three years ago and an increase of 11 per cent since 2012.

But road-safety experts say not enough is being done to advise elderly drivers about their fitness to stay behind the wheel – with some a danger on the road.

The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) has called for more to be done to help them decide whether to keep driving.

Motorists self-certify they are fit to drive at 70, and do so again with the DVLA every three years.

But they are not tested on competence nor required to go through medical assessment unless they flag up problems.

They only stop driving when they choose to – or are ordered to by the police after committing a driving offence.

The IAM rejects compulsory re-testing but does want more done to help elderly drivers who are fit to stay on the road – and to persuade those who are not up to it to hand in their licence.

The IAM’s Neil Greig said: ‘There must be recognition that older people need help when deciding whether they should give up driving.’

This includes better training for GPs when giving advice to patients, such as suggesting they should give up driving.

Symptoms that trigger concerns include a stiff neck that prevents looking around, slowing reactions and signs of dementia. He said: ‘The vast majority just need some help to stay safely on the road.’

The IAM’s report says the increase in drivers over 70 in the past 31 months amounts to an increase of 10,440 per month. The number of drivers aged 80 and over broke the 1million mark last year and has increased by more than 100,000 since then.

Government figures show there were 5million people aged 75 and over in 2012 and this is projected to rise to 6.6million by 2022.

Professor Stephen Glaister, director of the RAC Foundation, said: ‘Many older motorists are very aware of their limitations and will not drive in situations where they feel uncomfortable such as at night, during the rush hour or on the motorway.

‘However evidence from overseas suggests that each year more than 100,000 UK drivers actually hang up the keys prematurely when they would still be safe to be at the wheel.’

‘Many aware of their limitations’