The Spanish might be onto something (re Brian Dellar). Something needs to be introduced but in a way that is fair for all. My mother of 71 claims she has good eye sight but I know that it is dreadful and she won't admit it. My father who is older has started doing very eratic things in the car, like going the wrong way down a road he knows well, things he would never have done a few years ago. I am terrified that they will injure someone AND that their insurance will consequently be invalid also when it comes out about their health. They don't use their cars as much as I do so perhaps statistically I am more likely to have an accident and I have been lucky to avoid a few nasty ones recently because I have been looking ahead and reacted quickly. PS Gary, slow down, often we get frustrated with elderly drivers because they DO stick to the speed limits. Getting frustrated with other drivers is your problem not theirs.
Claire, BUCKS

Sandra Brewer, Woking, Surrey, England

The logic of the ABI would seem tro be that ALL drivers (no matter what their age) should be banned.

Martin, Shropshire,

when taking a test, a video of some of the worst accidents should be shown to learner drivers rite from the accident, to the suffering of the lives of family & freinds after the accident plus of course the agony that the driver goes through ,for years after. also a lot can be achieved by parents attitude to young drivers. i told my daughter ,, if i heard of ,or saw her driving reclesley ,i would take her car off of her ,

b smith, newtown, wales

My father(91) has limited vision in one eye & has to put his car into 3rd gear & slip the clutch to drive the vehicle as he cannot change the gears due to a disability.
As such he has burnt out several clutches.
He has had several accidents in the past 3 years but has refused to claim on his insurance & has written off 2 cars in this period.
The problem is he refuses to even think of any alternative to his own transport such as "Ring & ride"& will eventually have an accident which he will not walk away from.
\the present system is far too loose as he fills in the forms without disclosing any disabillities.
I feel a medical should be compulsory .

P.J.Nicholls, Tamworth, Staffordshire

*everyone* should be retested every 5 years

sam, sussex uk, uk

i am 72 years old and a retired hgv and psc instrucer and have been driving for 53 years although i agree to a check on my ability to drive i do not believe a test would be correct for the elderly i am sure the person checking a driver would observe ability or the lack of it to recomend keeping or losing ones right to drive

william aspden, salford manchester,

I would like to see random eye tests for any driver. i am convinced that many accidents are not caused by age or anything else more specific than poor eyesight. In many foreign countries I have witnessed hundreds of drivers barely able to see beyond the end of their arms and yet they somehow get a drivers licence and think they are good drivers. Any migrant/immigrant should also have a proper eye examination before we let them loose on our roads.

jeff Fenton, Tonbridge, Kent

if our eldely drivers think the are ok to drive why are the so afraid of proving it by taking an assessnent, surely it is better to have faults pointed out and rectified so that they can drive safer for longer........none of us are too old to learn!
yes , young drivers do cause a lot of accidents but their case is being looked at with Pass Plus and the New Driver Act,
if your an elderly driver ( 60 + ) take the opportunity to refresh your skills, you might find your not as safe as YOU THINK !!

Mike Morton. Dept of Transport Approved Driving Instructor (Cars ) ASSESSOR OF ELDERLY ( and young ) DRIVERS for Devon C.C.

michael morton, Beer , DEVON

Training of young drivers is to be changed under recent proposals. It's reasonable to look at issues affecting all groups. Elderly drivers seem to want to point at other groups, but a coherent public policy would have sensible arrangements for young drivers, old drivers and those convicted of offences. Already, some have to take a re-test after a ban. I think all drivers from 70 should have to take a retest and have eyesight checks.

Peter, London,

The driving test in the UK is far to easy and has been since I can remember.I spent some time as a driving instructor with probably the most well known driving school in the country.The rest of my working life I was a professional driver working throughout the Uk and Europe.The authorities shoudn't be wasting time and money targetting groups of drivers they consider dangerous,because in reality a very high pecentage of drivers of all ages on UK roads are totally incompetent.People in this country are only taught to accuire the DSA minimum standard,which is very low in itself and then they are let loose to go wherever they chose.The authorities should realise that just because people want to have their own car,that does not mean they will be good,or even competent drivers.Driving tuition should be set to a minimum number of hours tuition and the test made a lot more difficult.If people can't pass a realistic driving test or afford the appropriate tuition,thats tough.

DJ, Swansea, Wales

As a 29 year old, I can clearly remember a time time when my driving was more ruled by testosterone and adrenaline than common sense. With a large amount of luck and a small amount of good management, I grew out it and have completed several hundred thousand miles of incident and prosecution-free driving. I would like to think that I am an alert and thoughtful driver and would welcome being retested.I heartily support the retesting of anyone convicted of a motoring offence - I'd also like thoughless & ignorant driving to made an offence! High risk groups should also be a target for retesting. Unfortunately, despite the number of armchair reactionaries claiming persecution on this forum, I'm afraid it is medically indisputable that STATISTICALLY, 70+ drivers accumulate additional risk factors at a steady rate. A handful of retired tank drivers is the exception that proves the rule. In a country with such a high level of car ownership, policy has to be based on such statistical groups.

Chris Pickles, Leeds, UK

Captain Bryn, those figures you have got mean absolutely nothing without knowing the numbers of drivers on the road. Of course there will be less drivers over 70 involved in accidents than those in the 40-49 age group, there are much more 40-49 year olds on the roads. Can you produce the figures that show what percentage of the actual drivers of different age groups are involved in accidents?

And anyway it is not just about being involved in accidents it is more about causing them!! Driving so slowly that you force people to take risky overtaking maneuvers if they want to get home before midnight is one way of causing an accident without actually being involved in one.

Gary , London, UK

I have to admit to being over 70 but am still in fulltime work, commuting over 60 miles a day. I am an aircraft engineer who inspects and certifies the aircraft that some of you fly on and trust my judgment and eyesight!
I spend most of the time driving on the motorways and regularly drive up to Scotland to look after my elderly mother-in-law.
I have to confess to being involved in two accidents in the past 50 years. The first was when a learner driver went through a red light into my car the second was a taxi driver who, parked on the side of the road, decided to make a u-turn acoss the road just as I was about to overtake him. He got away with a caution and a sore shoulder!
So far this year I have driven over 20000 miles with no problems.
It would be better to look at the over 80 year olds in the first instance before they look at the 70s. My aunt drives but should not. She is in a bridge club and the members are all over 80 and drive vey badly. They must be banned - not tested!

Graham Probert, Camberley, Surrey

I support the idea of regular retesting, it is part of the reason that flying is so safe. However, for the ABI to suggest that because drivers aged over 70 are three times more likely to be killed or seriously injured in a road crash than people aged 40 to 65 means the older driver is more dangerous is rubbish. Their bodies are more fragile and a similar crash will be more survivable for the younger person.

Frank, Winchester,

Oh here we go - shouts of ageism from the Times' elderly readers. The same ones that constantly crticise the young for their driving, behaviour, morals, drinking etc etc.

Hopefully part of the training for the elderly will include a gentle reminder that there are more than two gears on the standard motor car!

Rod Munch, Northampton, UK

I have known people who habitually broke speed limits, drove aggressively and tailgated, yet whenever they had an accident, somehow it was all the fault of the old lady who hesitated or made a wrong move.

Philip, Wellingborough, UK

Have been driving since I was seventen. Passed my test on a hand change motor cycle. A BSA 250 cc side valve which belonged to my brother. Got my car licence when I went into the RAF. Am now 72 and a member of the Institute of Advanced Motorists. Have had a few accidents, including having a sheep run into the side of the car. Have my eyes tested annaully and a medical check which so far have not revealed any problems. Only my anticipation has prevented me being involved in many accidents.

Philip Evans, Wigan, England

It is well known that the worst drivers on the road are young inexperienced drivers in the 17 to 25 age bracket so why discriminate against the mature driver?

All drivers, regardless of age, should have to sit a re-test if found guilty of dangerous or reckless driving or driving under the influence of drink or drugs.

Chris, Reading, Berkshire

I'm 71, I was a driving instructor for over 16 years before retiring 8 years ago. Three of my pupils, all first time passes, died at the wheel of their cars, all of them below the age of twenty. Two were girls and the other a lad. So should we now raise the driving age to twenty plus? I read recently that people up to twenty five are a far greater risk from an insurance point of view than those above. When are the pundits going to stop interfering in everyone else's lives? I love cars & motorbikes and take a pride in my driving, so "hands off" the 70+.

alan taylor, little sutton, ellesmere port, cheshire, england

It's time people in this country stopped being ageist. By all means everyone needs to be a competent driver. However, it is well known that the young drivers are the mad heads who show off, speed etc.

How many young children have been killed by young, reckless drivers compared to older drivers.

Keith, Leicestershire,

My wife was hit by an elderly driver whilst passing the exit of a Sainsburys fuel station. He thenmounted the curb and drove off, his equally as old passenger shouting abuse at my wife, who was 33 at the time. A witness wrote his number down and he was traced as being a 92 year old retired Colonel, with 2 DSO (Distinguished Serviced Order) medals from World War 2 as a tank commander!! He agreed in the end not to renew his licence, only after the police threatened with charging him with reckless driving and leaving the scene of an accident!!

Marcus Brain, Kings Sutton, Northants

If there is a case for testing the over 70s then there must also be a strong case for re-testing those with drink drive convictions. Why stop there? We are told that speed kills, why not re-test those with convictions for speeding offences? Are they not as much of a threat to public safetey ?

Elwyn, CArdiff, Wales

I think that this is a good idea, and something that should have been introduced a long time ago. I also think perhaps another seperate solutuion needs to be found for younger drivers, as they can clearly drive well if they can pass the test, they just choose not too afterwards, retesting would not help in my opinion. With over 70s the problem is not attitude but ability. Captain Bryn Wayt below mentions raw statistics showing more young people are involved in accidents than people aged 70+, but this tells us nothing if we don't know how many people in these aged groups are on the road, and how far they actually drive every year. Certainly in the area in which I live there appears to be many more young drivers on the road at any given time than older people (70+). To ALAN KIRK below, if your such a great driver, then why would you have a problem with taking another test? It is clearly not aimed at yourself, but the people in your age group who can no longer drive competently and safely

Simon, Surrey, England

This topic was addressed very well by the blog at Innovation Cars at www.innovationcars.com/blog a few days ago. Safeguards need to be in place, but not by persecuting older drivers. It would be interesting to contrast the figures for the under 25s against those for the over 70s. If, as I suspect, the under 25s are responsible for more accidents, would the government consider testing the under 25s annually. I doubt it. Despite the power of the grey vote we still patronise our elderly (and just for the record, I've got 30 years to go before I have to worry about this).

Lee, Weybridge, UK

I can see the reasoning for drivers over the age of 70 to have their pysical ability to drive checked and support it. However, it should be remembered that other groups who have disabilites which affect their ability to drive may have licences. A person who is registered as blind can, in certain circumstances, be allowed to drive.

The poor reasoning irritates me. Persons over the age of 70 suffer death and serious injury is because they are more frail than younger people. Further, the article suggests that the non-accident of John Orr, was due to his age and not some other circumstance just because, it seems, the chap is 83. I can tell you that Brighton CCTV cameras show that anti-clockwise is hardly unique.

Drivers under the age of 25 are five times more likely to have an accident that a driver over the age of 65. And that is per mile (insurance company statistics). Look at insurance rates for drivers over 70 and then suggest they are more prone to accidents.

derek Smith, Brighton, UK

I would like to point out to Captain Bryn Wayt, at those figures do not take into account the number of people driving at those various ages or the miles covered. Or the causes of the said accidents. I'm not saying that 17-24 yr olds are safer drivers than those that are 70+, I remember driving like a complete lunatic back then! But if the total mileage cover by those who are 17-24 is three times more than those 70+ than the accident rate is comparable. You seem to forget that generally older people do drive less. Personally I drive 14,000 miles per year, my Grandad does about 2000 miles per year. Also another thing to consider is that younger people who are dangerous are improving, older people who are dangerous are generally getting worse.

Jamie Brown, Maidstone, England

Regarding Rob Gifford's point, all UK citizens aged 60 and over - like myself - now qualify for free travel on their local buses, and usually reduced-rate elsewhere. Those still wedded to their cars might like to contrast that with what they spend on fuel, insurance, servicing, parking etc. Of course, we know how poor public transport is in many rural areas at present, but more demand from older travellers would justify improvements, so reversing the vicious spiral of recent years of fewer passengers, worse service.

Barry, Wallington, UK

Being involved in an accident doesn't mean you're a driver. Why no stats on the percentage of drivers over 70 involved in accidents compared to those between 18 and 50? Couldn't be that they disprove this notion - could it?
The last thing governemnt ever wants to do is to have evidence based policies - doesn't fit with sound bites and prejudices.
With an ageing population this is a good stealth tax.

Eddie Reader, birmingham, uk

The over 70's shouldn't be the only ones who are made re-sit their test. Everyone should be made to their re-sit their tests every 5 years.

George Graham, Belfast,

This is a very good idea. All to often it is forgotten that the driving test that the older generations took is laughable in comparison to how stringent todays driving examinations are. With an ageing population this is a sensible course to follow, and one which will improve road safety. Negative comments about young drivers on here are pointless as I'm sure that people who are over 70 were at some point in their lives 17, and I'm just as sure that they were as prone to reckless behaviour when they were that age! All that is needed for this idea to be perfect is better public transport so that those who are no longer fit to drive are not condemed to sit in their homes all day.

Rob Horsey, Rayleigh, Essex

Drivers over 70 are NOT the problem - despite the little selected episodes dug up for propaganda.
Go the Dept of Transport website and dig out table 38a which shows accidents by gender and age.
Let me pick out a few glaring examples who causes most accidents - then judge for yourself who are to blame and who need retesting! [it is NOT the over 70's]
Accidents
Male Female
20-24 21834 12657
40-49 28721 18048
70 + 8274 3110
------------------------------------
Another shot in the dark by some government nit-wit who wants to tax the aged.

Captain Bryn Wayt, Heathfield, East Sussex

Those over seventy have honed their skills on what could be called primitive cars.
When engines were used to assist inferior braking systems.
When they had to use the camber of the road to steer the car
when it was necessary to actually now how the car worked and to a listen for possible failures when driving.
The main object today is to just pass the test regardless assuming that the person taking the test is thae actual person who should be taking the test and not someone who is being paid to stand in for the the person.
Septuagenarians have survived decades of motoring and have proved their skills.
If they orl those under seventy are medically unfit that is another mattter, but that also applies to those of us are under seventy.
Perhaps those that have traffic accidents should be made to not only to take a driving test but also a medical .
Ageism is alive and well in the U.K.
What next compulsory euthanasia for those who have lived three score and ten years ?

Bernard Parke , GUILDFORD,

Iam 72yrs old. and have been driving since I was 18yrs. My driving skills are as good now as they were all those years ago.I have never had an accident. I Drove Tanks in the Army,Lorries of all types including Artics and 8 Wheelers for over 30years. I Drove Trolley Buses for Nottingham City Transport. I was a Driving Instructor with a very good pass rate.Iam still driving every day, and do not creep along the country roads at 20 mph. My Family and friends still speak of me as one of the only drivers they feel comfortable and safe with.Still to be caught by the Cameras.

ALAN KIRK, NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND

Most people over 70 will have no objections to a test as long as it costs either nothing or very little. Spain has a worthwhile test for all drivers which starts after ten years of having a licence up to age 45, then it is every five years, and at age 70 it is every two years. It comprises an eyesight test, a fool-proof co-ordination test using an inexpensive computer simulation (mention of computers and the UK government today brings a feeling on of impending doom and billions in costs wasted) and there are medical questions asked on health that form a sworn statement punishable if answered incorrectly.

It works and is worth having as there are many drivers under 70 who are not medically fit to drive.

Brian Deller, author, Motoring in Spain.

B J Deller, Marbella, Spain

Following the Governments logic of retesting those who have more accidents then surely those aged between 17 and 25 should be retested annually.

David, Shekou, China

As a way to counter this negative publicity towards so-called elderly drivers, I'm up for a works-supported drive on a major motor sport event. Not burdened by paid employment, so any offers? Just as soon as I get my International Competition Licence updated.

Andrew Milner, Yokohama, Japan