OLDER drivers had better watch out - for 73 per cent of their friends and relatives would be prepared to report them to the authorities if they had concerns over their driving standards.
A poll by the Istitute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) of 1,628 members and non-members also found that 68 per cent believed mandatory re-testing of drivers over the age of 70 would benefit road safety.
Conversely, 77 per cent thought that young drivers presented a greater risk to road safety than older drivers.
Following the poll, the IAM has been quick to defend older drivers and says it doesn't support the concept of retests for those aged over 70.
According to Neil Greig, IAM Director of Policy and Research: “The IAM believes we need to reassure the public that older drivers do not represent a disproportionate risk. Eight per cent of drivers are over 70 and they are involved in around four per cent of injury crashes. But 15 per cent of drivers are in their teens and 20s and they are involved in 34 per cent of injury crashes – a far higher number.”
The IAM recommends offering driver assessments so that the public and the authorities can report their concerns and know that they will be addressed.
"Advice and assessment can counteract the deterioration of some driving skills and means that we don’t have to take licenses away from perfectly safe older drivers," says Mr Greig, who adds: “Retesting at 70 would be a mammoth administrative task with little road safety benefit and the Government and safety bodies must work together to communicate the facts about older drivers more widely.”
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