NONOGENARIAN drivers are at an opposite age of those who could be considered boy racers, but they have been blamed for being just as bad on the road as their younger counterparts.
Now, new figures show that motorists who are heading for their 100th birthday or have passed that significant milestone are among the safest on the roads.
The new statistics, obtained from the DVLA, show that 5,170 people between the ages of 90 and 99 in Scotland still have their driving licences, and almost all have no penalty points.
The 86 nonagenarians who do have points received them for speeding, not for dangerous or careless driving, while each of licences still held by 10 people in Scotland over the age of 100 is completely clean.
Neil Greig, director of policy and research at Institute of Advanced Motorists said he was not surprised by the new figures.
He said: "Older drivers often get a bad reputation when they are actually a very safe and responsible group."
He added: "Elderly drivers are a very important part of society and as time goes on, more and more are going to be on the Scottish roads.
"Older drivers tend to self regulate, they know themselves when they feel comfortable driving and when they don't.
"Many of them tend not to drive at peak times or after it gets dark, but generally they are very responsible."
The new figures reveal that over the last year, 186 people aged over 90 voluntarily surrendered their licences in Scotland, but nobody over 100 gave up theirs.
Mr Greig added that his company did not support compulsory medicals for people who reach 70 because age is not a good indication of their driving abilities.
He said that a 96-year-old recently passed the advanced driving test, which requires weeks of preparation, proving that not everyone's driving deteriorates when they get older.
He said: "More thought has to be put into helping older drivers on the roads. There isn't enough information available to older drivers - such as when the right time is to give up their licence.
"A recent survey we carried out showed that over half of families in Scotland did not feel comfortable having the conversation with their elderly parents about when they should give up their licence - that's why more information should be available so they know themselves when the time is right.
"It's a bit like having a pension - when a person is going to surrender their licence it should be planned in advanced - so they are aware of alternative transport options etc."
Paul Green, director of communications at Saga, which specialises in insurance for older drivers, said older drivers tended to use their experience on the roads better to avoid any unfortunate situations.
He said: "Older drivers are extremely considerate, more careful, and less given to the road rage and intemperate behaviour that's so typical of boy racers.
"They use their age and experience and adjust their driving according to conditions. Younger motorists need to clock up many more miles before they can hope to match the unblemished records of many older drivers."
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