Drivers 'happy to resit test at 70'

09/08/2008

In an online poll by car supermarket Motorpoint it was found that the majority of motorists would like the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) to make it compulsory for people over 70-years-old to resit their test.

Collisions and accidents involving older drivers could affect car insurance premiums for motorists.

According to recent tests carried out by the Transport Research Laboratory, drivers aged over 55 take 22 per cent longer to react than drivers under 30.

In terms of distance, this would mean an extra 25 feet to the stopping distance of a car travelling over 70 miles per hour.

David Shelton, managing director of Motorpoint, said: "The result show that people are honest enough to recognise their driving ability does deteriorate with age and that maybe the government should consider mandatory re-testing at a certain age in the future."

Last month the Associated Press (AP) reported that General Motors was working on the development of a windshield to help older drivers see more clearly.

Using lasers, infrared sensors and a camera the windshield captures what is happening on the road ahead and enhances it so that drivers with impaired vision can see the road.

The windshield is currently in its research stage but the AP has claimed the technology could be useful as the number of people over 65 increases.

However, General Motors points out that the windshield won't improve vision but will make objects stand out that could otherwise be missed by an older eye.

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