British drivers hit out at ‘ageist’ older driving test calls as over 70s ‘targeted'

British motorists have rejected calls for older drivers to retake their driving test to stay on UK roads as experts look at introducing a new “standardised assessment”

A new poll from Express.co.uk has found thousands of individuals believe those above the age of 70 should not be told to take an exam to renew their driving licence.

A staggering 88.85 percent of respondents, well over 9,000 individuals, said older drivers should not be tested. 

Meanwhile, just 9.12 percent of road users, just under 950 drivers, said they did back the idea of tests when motorists reached their 70th birthday with just 2.03 percent of those polled unsure. 

Angry motorists blasted the idea as “nonsense” with many suggesting safety groups were targeting the wrong demographic.

Express reader @uglyone987 said: “I'm afraid that these attacks on OAPS are distinctly ageism and wanting us of the roads it's nothing to do with road safety.

“If it was [then] there would be a lot more younger people than me off the road.”

@Mickkcim commented: “Obvious age discrimination, all drivers need retesting on a regular basis or none do.”

@zogzig added: “Nonsense to solely target people at and over the age of seventy years, there should, in fact, be a compulsory assessment for ALL holders of a British driving licence every three years.”

@inthenorth remarked: “Why would I be any less competent on the day I reached 70, than I was the previous day? 

“Given the calibre of drivers on the roads these days, are you choosing the older person to pick on?”

It comes as experts are looking into the feasibility of launching a “standardised mature driver assessment” across the UK. 

These would be completely voluntary tests older drivers can choose to take to put their abilities behind the wheel to the test. 

The Older Drivers Forum is partnering with the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety (PACTS), The Older Driver Task Force (ODTF) and the University of Warwick for the study.

Rob Heard, founder of the Older Drivers Forum claimed around 80 to 90 percent of those who fail a voluntary test would have reached the threshold to have a licence revoked by the DVLA. 

He suggested that although the tests were voluntary, motorists "should be looking at having one” every time they renew their driving licence. 

Not everyone was against the idea with some Express readers backing the concept if it was applied more widely. 

@donkeyjoe54 stressed: “It's a very good idea for everyone to retake their test after 5/10 years, not only old people. We all get complacent and rusty.”

@Bumpy Grollix said: “No. But, some drivers, irrespective of age and who drive very badly and who are caught by police or on dashcams, should be retested, at least for the protection of the vast majority of other law-abiding drivers.”