Experience may count for nothing when science tells us that, in most cases, our eyesight, reactions and strength will be reduced as we age. Are older people safe to drive on Britain's overcrowded highways? Should there be an annual driving text for those over a certain age? We want to know your views??

We need to balance:

1) Youth enjoys strength, fast reactions, keen eyesight

2) Youth is bedevilled by impetuosity which statistically outweighs the qualities in 1).

3) Advanced age automatically brings experience but a reduction in the qualities in 1). One can also acquire bad habits over the years.

I think the trick for older people (and others) is to take the initiative and refresh skills by taking lessons preferably by joining the IAM or RoSPA, or from a driving instructor. That way we keep up to date, improve skills and bolster confidence. Older people should recognise the value of learning, younger people might be too proud.

 

I didn't drive for the whole of last year.  Reason: my left leg became so much shorter than the right that I couldn't reach the clutch.  Following major hip surgery last December the problem is sorted.  But I felt I'd lost confidence.  What I did was to attend a course of 6 talks at the Civic Centre given by Police driving instructors in conjunction with the local Advanced Motorists Association.  I also took 2 'refresher' sessions with the AA School of Motoring which gave me my confidence back.

My husband and I both drive, and there's nowt wrong with our eyesight or reactions.  I think we are both very safe drivers.  We both drive within our capabilities and those of the car.  We don't regard driving as a challenge - get there faster than anyone else - we don't have business appointments to keep.

I think EVERYONE ought to have some sort of driving test on a regular basis - perhaps every five or ten years - though I don't know if this would be viable.  My father is in his seventies and has always been a good driver but in the last couple of years he sometimes seems to lose his concentration a bit.  I do not think his lane control on roundabouts is very good sometimes. To be fair I am not sure if this is purely down to age or just that he is getting on AND hasn't been that well for a while.  And since I can drive but have no confidence to do so, who am I to judge?!

I have been driving since 1961, and I have had the good fortune not to have had a accident nor a parking ticket. I'm 67 years old and I still drive in this country and I drive when I go abroad. My eyesight is fine and my reactions are finer now than they were some years ago.I have driven large trucks for a living,and driven large trucks when I was in the Army, also spent ten years delivering cars on the continent.I still use the fast lane when I'm on the motorway.Im prepared to take a test now if I had too.

good for you , the independence all of us need to hold  down jobs  is a major obstacle to anyone in their 60's  many because of financial reasons and abilities are very glad to have the capacity to drive , heck our fifties too....the oldest driver I have ever seen is 94 she was so good as a matter of fact that i rode with her more than once.. she needed car repairs but the low income of many elderly prohibits them too much