25% of drivers want roads ban on over-75s

Motoring surveys don't usually cover contentious issues,
but this latest one conducted for an insurance company
is likely to ruffle a few mature feathers.

According to www.motorinsurance.co.uk, more than two
in five drivers think elderly motorists are menace and
a quarter of UK drivers want those over 75 off the roads Altogether.

The company asked drivers about plans currently being discussed
at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) to
introduce compulsory written and eye tests for motorists over 75.

While two-thirds of those surveyed would back the DVLA plans,
41% think they do not go far enough. They called for elderly
drivers to be made to retake their practical test as soon as they hit 70.

And with congestion still a major problem on Britain's roads,
23% of those surveyed want all motorists over 75 to be forced
to give up their cars altogether and use public transport.

As many as 52% think drivers over the age of 70 hide serious
medical ailments in order to retain their driving licences.
Also, 75% believe the Queen, who is 80 in April, should take
the same written and sight tests as the rest of the nation.

Commenting on the survey results, Andrew Dunkerley, marketing
director of www.motorinsurance.co.uk, said: "Our poll shows
that a significant proportion of the British public harbour
great concerns about the abilities of elderly drivers and are
strongly in favour of the DVLA's plan to introduce compulsory
written and eye tests for motorists over 75.

"In fact, elderly people have no higher rates of accidents
than other drivers, and statistically are safer than a lot of younger,
less-experienced motorists, which is why their
insurance premiums are generally a lot cheaper."

Lets see what cruisewirral memebers think?
Please Vote

They shouldnt all be banned,but anyone who cant meet the standards any more shudnt be allowed a license any more,so maybe test them every 2 to 5 years when they reach 70,cos,as harsh as it sounds,some do lose a "bit up there" at that age

I agree with scoop, if everyone was to go through their test again at 65 or 70 then there would be no arguments over whether they deserved their licence or not. Then a test every few years would keep on top of the situation. Some people of that age are very good drivers. I know my gran, who is 83, is a fantastic driver. Alot of people say "the silverbacks" drive dangerously slow but if you see a black proton overtake you at 80mph on the A540 on a sunday morning don't call them a boy racer - it's probably my gran taking her friends to church.

Oh yeah, my gran never did a driving test, she drove the land rovers in ww2 and got given her licence afterwards.

I nearly killed 2 over 75's the other week who didn't realise that the road they didn't stop for that crossed their path was a 70MPH road.

Thank god my car had ABS and i have quite quick reactions.

They were totally oblivious that they could of caused a major accident and even after several beeps of the horn they continued to be unaware that they are lucky to still be alive.

The difference between young bad drivers and old bad drivers.

Young bad drivers know they are driving like idiots, old bad drivers think they are good drivers.

My dad is over 70 and he agrees, you get given a bus pass so use it. its free for gods sake and the bus wont do you any harm also it doesnt cost to park.

Your eye sight starts to get worse your reactions are so slow its snail like. Its not fair on other drivers who have to take extra care because of these drivers, i think a test should be in force, not a full test like when you first get your licence but some form of test to make sure they can drive and drive properly, as some of the older drivers who didnt have to take a test just "got" a driving licence dont know what half the road markings mean or even what some of the road signs are. its just shocking.