'73% would report OAP drivers'

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Worries about driving standards of elderly friends or relatives would make at least three out of four people "shop" them, a poll has revealed.

The survey of 1,628 people by the IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists) revealed that around 73% people were ready to report elderly people to the authorities if their driving style was risky.

Up to 68% also said motorists over the age of 70 should give their driving tests again.

However, a higher number - 77% - believed young drivers to be more dangerous than older ones on the road.

IAM director of policy and research Neil Greig said: "It is good news that most drivers are aware that young drivers are the demographic most in need of help, but worrying that the mandatory retest has a fairly high level of support."

He said that 8% of drivers who are over 70 are involved in around 4% of injury crashes, while the 15% of drivers in their teens and 20s are involved in 34% of crashes.

"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," Grieg urged.

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