A MOTORING group has called for action to address a surge in elderly motorists, with the number of drivers aged 70 or older now rising by 10,000 a month.
Figures reveal that there are now more than 4.34 million licence holders over 70 on our roads, compared to 3.9m in 2012, including Britain's oldest holder of a driver's license aged 107.
The breakdown includes more than one million drivers over 80, nearly 83,000 over 90 and 232 licence holders over 100.
Government population projections also suggest that these numbers could almost double in around 20 years, when there are expected to be 9.5m Brits aged over 75.
The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) is calling for the government, medical professionals and assessment providers to come together to address the needs of this generation of motorists.
Sarah Sillars, IAM chief executive officer, said: "People are living longer and therefore there are many more drivers on the roads that are past retirement age. We want these drivers to enjoy their motoring for as long as possible, so we want some thought and resources to go into how we can allow this to happen."
IAM research shows that the most common factors in a road accident involving a person over 70 were: failing to judge the other person's path or speed, poor turn-in or manoeuvre, losing control, illness or disability, dazzling sun; and nervousness, anxiety or panic.
It added those factors were typical of deteriorating physical and cognitive functioning.
In November last year, procurator-fiscal Alasdair MacDonald said older drivers should be required to have health checks and renew their driving licences every two years once they are into their eighties.
It followed the case of Alice Ross, who was 93 when she struck and killed 30-year-old cyclist, Elaine Dunne, after suffering a blackout while at the wheel of her car.
However figures show that older drivers are the safest on the roads. Previous analysis by the IAM found that older drivers are involved in a smaller number of injury accidents than drivers under the age of 60.
In 2011, people over 70 made up nine per cent of drivers but six per cent of driver casualties, while drivers under 30 made up 20 per cent of drivers but 35 per cent of casualties.
The IAM is calling for a government action plan for older drivers, better information for older drivers and their families, and an online self-assessment tool.
The organisation is also urging more car manufacturers to consider older drivers in vehicle design and for wider availability of voluntary on-road driving assessments to enable older drivers to check their skills.
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