A petition to introduce compulsory, age-related driving tests is gathering momentum. Benjamin Brooks-Dutton started the petition to the Department for Transport and Secretary of State for Transport after his wife Desreen was killed by an 85-year-old driver who mistook his car’s accelerator for the brake. The vehicle was travelling at 54 miles per hour in a 20 mile per hour zone when it mounted the pavement and struck Desreen.
The petition now has more than 250,000 of the 300,000 signatures that it is seeking. In addition, Harriet Harman MP has written to Lilian Greenwood MP, Chair of the Transport Committee, urging it to hold an inquiry into the mandatory re-assessment of drivers over the age of 70.
You can read about the petiton here
The news comes as DVLA figures reveal that the number of drivers aged 90 and over in Great Britain has topped 100,000 for the first time. When it comes to drivers aged between 80 and 89, the figure rises to more than 1.2 million.
Are older drivers more dangerous?
In 2016, the Older Drivers Task Force report from the Road Safety Foundation reported that,
“Older drivers have reduced ability to judge and adapt to speed and to read complex driving situations. Vision, reaction times and skills in executing manoeuvres decline with age.”
Medical conditions as well as age can impact on driving ability. As such, older drivers are already required to self-assess their medical fitness to drive every three years. However, the Older Drivers Task Force report highlights the fact that self-declarations are unreliable, citing one study that found a 60% disparity between self-declarations of cardiac problems and physicians’ evidence of the same.
Despite this, there is a growing body of evidence to show that older drivers are actually less dangerous on the roads that younger drivers. An accident data study by Swansea University found that drivers aged 70 and over are involved in between three and four times fewer accidents than male drivers aged between 17 and 21. Meanwhile, the Older Drivers Task Force study of police records found that drivers aged over 70 are less likely to kill a pedestrian than middle-aged drivers, and only half as likely to do so as drivers below the age of 25. The report also confirmed that,
“Drivers over 70 are less likely to be involved in crashes involving speed, loss of control or alcohol as a cause. They are more likely to be involved in a right of way violation.”
Should regular testing be compulsory for older drivers?
The Older Drivers Task Force reports that self-regulation is common among older drivers. Many choose to make fewer journeys and avoid more challenging conditions, such as driving at night or travelling on the motorway. However, self-regulation does not work for all. As the judge sentencing the driver who killed Desreen Brooks observed,
“An elderly driver who knows, or should acknowledge, that he or she is losing his or her faculties is no less a danger than a drunken driver who knows the same.”
Driving refresher courses are widely available and provide an option for older drivers to hone their skills. These are voluntary courses, though, and only available to those who can afford to take them.
The idea behind mandatory testing for older drivers is that it would catch those drivers whose faculties are no longer sharp enough that they should be behind the wheel, but who are not self-aware enough to realise this. One must query, however, why it is only older drivers who should be subjected to re-testing. Drivers aged 17-19 are disproportionately involved in car accidents according to DVLA figures. They account for just 1.6% of drivers, but are involved in 6% of accidents. Older drivers, meanwhile, account for 10% of drivers but are involved in just 6% of accidents.
Based on the statistics, wouldn’t it be a better road safety investment to annually re-test those who have just qualified to drive, rather than homing in on those who have decades of experience under their belts?
Do you think older drivers should undergo mandatory re-testing in order to keep their driving licenses? Or is the risk posed by elderly drivers being blow out of proportion? Leave a comment below to let us know your view.
There’s a case for testing older drivers , but how would the system cope with the numbers involved.
Ta also true that young drivers are a big problem with boy racers and girl testers.
As a 62 yr old Advanced Driver I believe a system of testing is a good idea, however it needs to be proactive and in line with increases in the state pension age deferment the age limit raised to 75.
True some drivers will vary in ability and experience but us late period baby boomers have had the benefit of having more modern traffic systems to learn to live with and the technology to cope with too. We’re not all old fuddy duddy’s yet and I agree a more general re-test for all dubious drivers needs to be brought in but who pays?!!
M
I totally agree with Malcolm Munro, I am also a 60+ advanced driver but would go so far as to insist that all drivers retake the test at their own expense. If they want to continue to drive then they should pay for it, this will simultaneously create extra jobs and reduce accidents and that’s just for starters. It’s up to individuals to keep their skill levels up, driving is not cheap so the cost of a test every five years would not be out of order. The tax payer would make savings in reduced accidents and could pay for the admin side of the service with test fees paying wages.
I would suggest possibly only every 5 years for under retirement age folk but every 2 years for pension age people as decline in faculties can be more rapid.
I suspect a large number of people will fail which will simultaneously reduce road wear and pollution and possibly create a greater demand for more useful public transport.
Drivers from overseas if working here have to take the test at their employer’s expense before being allowed to drive (I used to work for a foreign company who brought in their own people to drive vans who had never driven before but had licences bought for them by family members). I guess there would have to be some leeway for short term visitors.
why does everybody pick on OAPs most OAPs stick to the speed limit where as most 17 to 25 year old don’t I have not seen a OAP use a mobile phone whilst driving but seen plenty of the younger drivers use theirs maybe a written doctors assessment at 70 could be introduced and sent to DVLA as proof of being capable
if I might para phrase the RSF above:
“YOUNGER drivers have reduced CONCENTRATION to judge and adapt to speed and to read complex driving situations. Vision, reaction times and skills in executing manoeuvres decline with DISTRACTIONS.”
As a retired driving instructor i would suggest that anyone subjected to a driving test six months after passing would fail.
I am 76 and have no problem with being reassessed. However that said, it should be mandatory for all to be reassessed every 10 years regardless of age.Once again, as with diesel drivers, the old are being “demonised” due to their age, and also lets not forget “age discrimination” is in law illegal in the UK, although of course like any law it is ignored when it suits the government.
There is a case for retesting at ALL ages. However, I feel that the main problem would be that, whilst it may identify the older drivers who, understandably, may not have the quick reactions and concentration of younger people, it would not identify other bad drivers who would be able to concentrate for the period of the retest, pass the test, then immediately go back to their old ways; much as the way some of them drive now after passing their first test. At the moment we cannot convince all drivers to drive more safely by reducing speeds, not drinking, not using mobile phones etc. and, as in the reported case only ‘catch’ people when they are involved in an accident so would a successful retest really help in the vast majority of cases. I am nearing 70; still drive a car and ride a motor cycle and have never been in an ‘own fault’ accident; not that I am saying that, like all drivers, I do not make mistakes. I am not a great lover of driving the car and would give it up tomorrow if it were not for the lack of public transport. What if over 70 testing was introduced? Any one can fail a test if they are having a ‘bad’ day so would a failure result in a life ban for over 70s? If so I can see even more unlicensed drivers on the road! We cannot even catch all the existing ones!
This is a classic case of availability bias – a sad story about an elderly driver who’s mistake kills an innocent pedestrian, suddenly everyone can cite an example of how they’ve seen elderly drivers “nearly causing accidents”, and suddenly there is a witch hunt going on. in complete ignorance of the actual facts as backed up by the stats in the article.
There are lots of things that could be done to improve road safety further in the UK, but most of them would have to start with an acceptance by the majority of drivers that they are not perfect and the problems are not always with “other people”
If the petition is based on emotions and not facts and statistics I believe it should not be looked at. And if we are going to target the old that statistically there accident ratio is lower than younger drivers then it’s clearly not right unless we do both . And what about drunk drivers. Mostly got there facaltys know what they are doing but still get in that car.
I was a driving instructor for 10 years older drivers are less likely to be involved in an accident, and much less a fatale accident, if you take their licence away it can absolutely destroy their lives as it is much more difficult to get anywhere, many cannot walk very far, so they would be stuck at home often alone, I have seen many young drivers pass the driving test and immediately drive big old cars with 2 or 3 friends with them showing off skidding to a stop driving at ridiculous speeds, I think ALL drivers should be regularly checked more so when they have recently passed their test, the driving test is the minimum standard required to drive on the road, so further tests should be at a higher standard, engine size should be restricted for new drivers, and a probation period with strong penalties for bad driving, if tthis was introduced the roads would be a pleasure to drive on.
Dennis
ALL drivers should be re tesred every 10 years with a basic medical and eye test included. New drivers recieve a driving ban if 6 points are amassed. Perhaps this should be extended to ALL drivers. We might then be more aware of how valuable our licence is.
I am 60+ I think that a physical test at 70 would be appropriate, instead of just a self declaration. I have been out driving with 80 years olds who I deem to be competent (I am an ex LGV instructor)
The things that worry me are that people don’t seem to know the rules of the road anymore, overtake on a hill, dive across the front of you at a crossroad instead of a driver to driver cross. People that think because it says 60 that is the minimum speed not the maximum and as a mature driver you are driving to the conditions and end up with abuse. I could go on, people are not driving to any test standard and the worrying thing is they don’t know what the standard is.Im not talking of old people here I would say in the 17to30 bracket. I for one like most people of my age were taught the rules of the road, on the road, They have stayed with me for life not the 30mins or so for the machine to say passed. I also have the latest highway code to keep abreast of changes. Learning to drive doesn’t stop at the end of the lessons, driving to test standard doesn’t stop at the end of the test. But for for a lot of these younger drivers I’m afraid it does.
I am an insurance broker, sadly the testing “system” just cant cope with the appointments to make this happen, I am also a pilot and have no problem with safety driven checks rather than rule driven testing in that I have to fly more than 12 hours a year and take two exams every two years and have to remain “current”. Insurance companies would need to play a big part and drivers driving less than say 3000 miles a year (MOT easy evidence) at any age are less current than an average milage motorist remembering age is just a number where a 60 year old may have lost it where a 75 year old is fine………….. a 40 year old may never of had it!!! Personally I have felt for many years regardless of BLAME if you are involved in any kind of accident or insurance claim over say £1000 a check ride from an instructor and a certificate to the insurance company should be required, preferably a direct computer link and check not DIY certs from home! Kids should not make the judgement for any parent as to safety it should be a qualified instructor. If you have 3 minor claims in 5 years again a check should be required as its telling a story, windscreens often go because you drive too close to the car in front, shunts up the back. You cant crash into “space” if you cant or don’t want to overtake drop back. More serious and significant accidents should require a re-test of both drivers to avoid the over the limit dink or drugs driver being blamed where the other party (maybe old) in truth actually caused the accident.. Over 70 can be self cert be self cert with as an absolute minimum have to submit an eye test every year which is a very good idea for other health reasons in any event. Over 80 if stat and claims data justifyable , it should be a GP cert.
A well thought through comment covering several issues, as a 74 yr old I would be quite happy to have a drive assessment every so often, quite how the testing centers would cope is another matter. Maybe a well qualified registered instructor could issue a certificate as there are more of them available.
I am a 70 year old Advanced Motorcyclist, re-tested every three years.
The DVLA statistics and personal observation suggest that age is not, in itself, a major factor in determining driving or riding ability. Young and middle-aged drivers are just as likely to display poor skills and ignorance of road traffic regulations as the older generation.
I would like to see everyone re-tested three yearly, as are RoSPA Advanced Drivers and Riders. This would not, of course, prevent people developing bad habits or breaking the law but it might concentrate the mind and, if paid for, could provide useful funding for road safety research or, perhaps, road improvements.
I am quite an elderly driver, but I consider retesting would not only be sensible, but vital also. People generally cannot be relied on to either keep to the law, or be honest about their own abilities where their convenience is concerned. This could be about the possibility of a carless, or couldn’t careless, driver, taking lives. I have experience with just such a case in which a elderly friend had a heart attack at the wheel. He died himself, but he could have killed his passenger wife also. Fortunately she survived.
This of course is only one occurrence, but from the introductory page of this site, we know that people will cut corners, will let things slide, and will even break the law in order to save money. In view of the potential killer weapon of driving I think a retest would best be being mandatory. The only problem would be putting all the stress on one group of drivers such as the elderly. Sure they should be checked, but they are not by any means the only group of dangerous drivers who should be checked, some even put off the road in my view.
That would be ‘the rub’. Is the retest being fair, or even factual? I don’t have much confidence that it would be, but we will see!
The airline industry has one of the best safety records and that is because pilots have to undergo regular health screening and regular competency tests. This should be introduced for all car drivers – annually for anyone under 25 or over 75 and every 5 years in between. Motoring offences should more frequently carry a ban until passing a retest. More examiners would be required, but perhaps one good source would be retired police officers who retire at 55 and are therefore still more than capable of performing an assessment to the standards they have to achieve.
I agree but if you watch the TV road cops shows you’ll know that a high percentage of banned drivers could care less and carry on driving (without licence and insurance). When they have accidents its usually a menial prison or public service sentence and off they go again. Not sure what the answer is.
I am all for retesting of drivers of all ages every 5 years. If you fail you have to carry an “L” plate of a different colour to the red but can still continue drivng unaccompanied for a maximum of 6 months and after that you revert to red “L” plates rules and laws if you have not passed a retest. All drivers must have eyesight tests every 2 years (I do) and supply the DVLA with evidence of the result and the corrective measures. The money collected from these retests could then be used for more road policing. I have been driving for 48 years now with a full clean licence and no bumps. I pride myself in my standards of driving and stick by the rules and laws of the road. If everyone did this the RTA rates would drop dramatically. There are too many flyboys and girls out there that seem to think that they can do what they want on the road, so it’s not fair just to blame those over 70 for bad driving.
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It is of course very sad to read of this accident and friends & family have my sympathy. However this is one incident involving an older driver.
Have a look at the statistics for the number of deaths caused by younger drivers!!!!! I would say that there is an argument that the minimum driving age should be increased to at least 21.
Why do you think that Insurance companies charge older drivers much less than young drivers. It is of course that their claims statistics show that older drivers have less accidents and when they do have an accident it usually is less serious,
My 85 year old father in law ran over my 84 year old mother in law while putting the car in the garage. He put the car in reverse and mistakenly accelerated hard rather than braking running her over on the garage forecourt across the pavement across the road over the opposite pavement into the neighbors hedge smashing into the fence behind. Mother in law multiple injuries blind in on eye. Months of hospital treatment but made it through in the end. We knew he had Alzheimer’s. We had been to his doctor in an effort to get them to take his driving license away but was told he could drive. He was very stubborn.
The mind boggles. If he had been assessed this
would never have happened.
Also start looking for cars with minor dents and scratches the tell tale signs of not being able to judge distances properly.
I’m all in favour of older people being assessed and tested. People’s eyesight has not been dealt with properly for decades.
I don’t think re-testing should be limited to just elderly drivers, although I do see some terrible spacial awareness issues and reaction times with the elderly. However, It isn’t the elderly I see driving too close to me while I’m riding my bicycle, overtaking on double white lines, chatting on their mobile phones, drinking and driving, driving too fast. There is a very bad attitude within driving today across the board of all age ranges. Yes, when an elderly person makes a mistake it is generally down to their impaired vision or, slow reaction times, or getting confused. But I think there needs to be harsher punishments for young drivers, and drivers in general when they victimise others on the road citing ‘I pay my road tax’ which therefore allows me to be here but not you!!
I must add though, that I have seen quite a few elderly hobbling out of their cars with crutches, leg boots, walking sticks, neck braces, yet they feel they are ok to be responsible on the road. But what is missing for many now is their obligation to be responsible for others on the road too. If we all extended that courtesy we would be happier motorists.
If there is a case for re-testing drivers over 70, a category with a comparatively good record, the case can surely be made for every driver involved in a fatal road accident to be required to retake some sort of driving test before being allowed to drive on public roads again.
John S
How about young women being tested after ONE YEAR? Seeing the young women around here tail-gating, chatting on their phone, looking at their passengers whilst talking and driving, doing their make-up etc. How about boy racers? (you know the deal) How about every TV presenter who talks to the camera whilst driving etc etc? BMW drivers? Audi drivers? Nissan Micra drivers?
As an advanced driver myself I would say there is no-one who is perfect, and many are a danger to themselves and everyone else.
Rant over!
Stan, John see my post below. Sadly Insurance companies will not release proper data because is “commercially sensitive”!!!! If anything older drivers are a problem for me to insure now and rates creep up very slowly from age 50 plus and accelerating badly in your 80’s because the companies argue/claim older driver produce more claims than anyone else which is certainly not the case with my client book. Dare I say it, it could be because many companies will not accept such ages as “new business” meaning they have to pay what is demanded or give up driving
I do NOT agree with this petition. The phrase, ‘tarring everyone with the same brush’ comes to mind. I sympathise with the parents, but an assumption is being made – that all drivers of 70 years of age and over should be treated as bad drivers. According to the police and motoring organisations, fatal road accidents are more likely to involve drivers who are substantially younger than 70. And yes, I am 70 years old, and have a voluntary eye test annually, and regular checks made by my doctor. Both optician and doctor assure me that I am fit to drive, and I do so almost daily.
From a road safety point of view my own experience of observing older drivers (including myself!) on the roads is that some demonstrate deteriorating levels of concentration and reaction times and are more likely to pull out from junctions/roundabouts having misjudged the speed/intentions of oncoming traffic. That said they are considerably less likely to be reckless (eg. excessive speeding, rash overtaking decisions, use of mobile phones etc) than other age groups on the road.
I am a 70 yo who prides himself in his general driving ability and skills, but admit I am not perfect. Like other 70 yo’s I had to complete my licence renewal request but also took the opportunity of a driver assessment funded by the museum where I am a volunteer – no pass or fail but required who drive any of the museum’s own vehicles. I was apprehensive beforehand but found the examiner (an ex police driving instructor) very helpful and the experience was actually enjoyable. It also made me review the latest edition of the Highway Code which highlighted quite a number of changes since I was last “tested”…..
My overall opinion is that a regular driver assessment (say every 10 years) would be beneficial for ALL drivers and something more testing on eyesight should be a requirement for the over 70s.
I am 67 year old driver and have been driving for 50 yrs , yes some older drivers are getting a bit long in the tooth to be still driving but most of the younger drivers are useless and need to resit there test and they have only been driving a short time, I understand the grief some people have when losing a loved one, but just picking on a certain group just because of their age is beyond belief .
If they are going to test 70 year old people, then why don’t they test everyone when they reach their 20th, 30th, 40th, 50th, 60th and so on birthday year, that sounds fair to everyone, why just single out the 70 year olds….!!!!
If you think about it when the ‘older driver’ passed their driving test it was much more involved driving test, we had to manage to drive and use hand signals, which was not always easy.
If you ask younger drivers what are the signals to use, should their cars indicators pack up, and No you don’t put your left arm across in front of your passenger when you want to turn left, which is what so many think is the right thing todo….!!!
Now tell me older people need to take more tests, that is age discrimination, and older drivers are not on the roads so much as most are retired so are not in such a mad rush to get to and from work.as younger drivers,
Also don’t forget, you will all be 70 years old one day too, and how would you feel……..!!
I guess its not about how you feel, its more about are you safe enough to cope with modern motoring?
If you are going to test drivers at 70, then all drivers should be assessed, I followed a couple last week, the man was in the passenger seat while the driver was holding a phone in her left hand, obviously on speaker phone totally oblivious to the vehicles around her, she negotiated a round about and a junction whilst on the phone she was nowhere near aged 70 so look at all drivers let’s not be ageist.
This is mass hysterics petition idea that could back fire.
Just because you are 70 does not mean that one is a greater danger problem.
If certain faculties are a problem doctors ,opticians etc should sign a a section of the form when reapplying for a license.. (Whatever ones age).
There are many youngsters and middle agers who ara far more dangerous due to health problems plus inexperience and in some cases bravado.
What about those who drive high powered cars without any training etc.
This is attacking one section of the public just due to ageism.
I know people in their 70s who are far safer than those very much younger.
It is mainly much younger people who use mobile phones etc. whilst driving not using Bluetooth.
These are rarely caught as insufficient patrol cars.
A regular re-brief of the requirements ought to be in order, for everyone. Not convinced that a test of some sort would be required though.
In the near future self-drive cars will be common and also the phasing out of internal combustion engines in road vehicles. I would guess that a whole new set of standards will be required.
At the moment, the DVLA can barely cope with bookings for driving tests so to multiply this would probably collapse the system
My employer provides every three years a half day refresher course and if any issues are identified remedial action is taken. Why not introduce this for everyone?
All drivers should be re-assessed every 3-5 years with a compulsory eye test at the same time. As an RoSPA Advanced Driver I had to do this and I believe it is the best way to keep death of the roads, reduce the burden on the NHS and reduce insurance premiums.
A driving test for over 70s. I see little point, however a medical assessment with eyesight and reaction times along with general fitness to drive every 3 years after 70 would not be a bad thing.
Thereby proving fitness to drive.
Maybe this could be introduced to people after they have been had a major injury or accident to prove fitness to control a vehicle.
If you believe the hype this will all be irrelevant in a few years when cars drive themselves……but really, why 70? Doesn’t make sense to single out one age.
“The idea behind mandatory testing for older drivers is that it would catch those drivers whose faculties are no longer sharp enough that they should be behind the wheel, but who are not self-aware enough to realise this. One must query, however, why it is only older drivers who should be subjected to re-testing. Drivers aged 17-19 are disproportionately involved in car accidents according to DVLA figures. They account for just 1.6% of drivers, but are involved in 6% of accidents. Older drivers, meanwhile, account for 10% of drivers but are involved in just 6% of accidents.”
SO drivers between 20 and 69 account for 88% of accidents!!!!
So based on these statistics THEY are the most dangerous group!
GET REAL!
I 69 I drive a car daily in this country on all types of roads and in all conditions for 3 months THEN I drive a motorcycle in Vietnam for three months (if you want know what that’s like google “Vietnam motorcycle drivers!)
I have been doing this for years! No accidents YET.
GOOD DRIVING is about ANY AGE driver being tolerant of ALL other drivers and paying attention to what’s happening all around you .
IF YOU cannot do this then GIVE UP DRIVING REGARDLESS of your age!
Probably already been said but if it was an 85 year old driver that had the accident WHY then say that drivers of 70 should be tested?? It is the young new drivers showing off that cause most of the accidents. Perhaps a re-test after 2 years to see if they have actually really learnt to drive?
A sensible option.
Age is a very arbitrary basis on which to make a driving ability judgement. There are some folks less than 70 years old who should not be on the road and there are many 70+ drivers who have full mental, visual and physical capability who are probably more capable drivers than 18-25 year olds. A more equitable proposal would be for a refresher test every 10 years or so – starting from when licence obtained. This would ensure drivers were up to speed on newer regulations and rules.
I think it is wrong to suggest that an age related re-test is needed. I have been saying to family for a few years now that it should be compulsory to sit a driving refresher/assessment session to be able to renew your photocard licence when needed. This might help reduce the amount of bad habits everyone pick up and help reduce accidents on the road in general, not just those older drivers.
We all need to be more aware of our responsibility behind the wheel.
I’m 70 years old, been driving for 50 accident free years and have just renewed my insurance at a cost of £173 for a year. Today I saw a young driver on the news saying his insurance was £140 per month. That tells you who the insurance companies think is a greater risk.
Why is everybody judged by the worst excess of there race, religion, age, sex etc. Like somebody else said what does an 86 year old doing something have to affect what a 70 year old. Anybody can have lapses of concentration, possibly more so the older we get, but then is this out weighed by unfounded overconfidence in the younger generation?
I find that the vast majority of us drive adequately, we are in the main polite and careful. So I think If we can’t come up with some better idea that penalising everyone over 70 thence should do nothing. Maybe a great police presence on he roads and a weekly dose of accurate stats about people banned for speeding, mobile usage, drug usage, driving without due car and attention. etc to underline that these things are being checked and ACTED on might sound more alarm bells with those who play the law of averages game, i.e. no police = no policing = better than good chance of ignoring the laws/rules.
Get the medical profession to report people that are unfit to drive and if they refuse make them partially liable for any accidents caused if they knew there wa a manager.
I am 74 years of age, I have been driving from 1965 and I have never been involved in any accident or even come close to one.It seems to me that the majority of all accidents are caused by much younger drivers and also there seems to be much more drivers on the roads these days and most appear to be young, so why are the powers that be blaming the older driver for the increase in accidents……it would be interesting if DVLA were to publish the ages of all drivers involved in accidents and put a percentage figure on the ages of all involved.
Seventy is not old nowadays. I am 69 and believe my ability to drive is no worse than it`s ever been, in fact I am a more careful driver now and I am sure that my 52 years driving experience is an asset. I have never had any negative comments from any of my passengers and if I did, I would seriously think of giving up driving.
Whilst on the road, I do see potentially dangerous driving from other drivers of both sexes and all ages. I also often see actions that cause confusion and delays.
Let the facts and statistics speak for themselves. Just because you reach the age of seventy it does not automatically mean that you are not fit to drive. It tells me that my reactions may have slowed down but then so has the speed at which I drive and the distance I keep between myself and the driver in front is greater.I have been driving for nearly 50 years accident free. I like to think that I will be the first to know when it is time to stop.
I believe it is unfair to penalise only the older drivers. Your license has to be renewed every 10 years, fewer in some cases. Why not retake the test in order to get your license renewed? If you aren’t deemed a safe driver, you don’t get your license renewed until you can pass.
It is well documented and known that drivers over the age of 70 cause less accidents than those under 70. So to retest only drivers over 70 would be gross discrimination. If there is to be retesting it should be for all drivers and in particular for drivers under 70 years of age.