Older drivers should not be forced to retake their driving test at 65 with the overwhelming majority of road users rejecting calls for rule changes.
In a new Express poll, a staggering 94.44 percent of almost 12,000 respondents said they would not want to see older motorists take a test when they reach a certain age.
Just 4.81 percent of those surveyed said they would back changes with 0.75 percent admitting they didn’t know where they stood on the issue.
The poll comes after a campaigner started a Parliament petition demanding rule changes on safety grounds.
Petition creator Deniss Fomins claimed some elderly road users “should not” be on the roads as they called out concerns over vision and reaction times.
However, the concept was rejected by motorists and Express readers who stressed a blanket ban should not apply to everyone.
One angry person even suggested the proposals were an “insult” as the concept got passionately rejected.
@skir said: “Nobody should be forced to give up driving. Everyone is different.”
@cory1973 reacted: “Yet the 18-24-year-olds are the worst drivers, driving fast and dangerously.
“It’s ironic that it’s that age group that mostly think older people should retake their test. Give me a slow driving pensioner as opposed to a boy racer tailgating me any day.”
@TrueBrit remarked: “Drivers of all ages who break motoring law should be required to retake their test. Only target the guilty not the innocent, we all know if this happened it would be 90 percent young drivers affected.”
@Liz wrote: “At 65 most people are mentally alert and are as good a driver as they were when they passed their test if not better through experience.
“What an insult to suggest otherwise. We’re good enough to work to 67 til we can qualify for the state pension but the petitioner suggests too old to be trusted to drive safely.”
The petition failed to reach the threshold of 10,000 signatures for a government response. It also means the topic will not be debated in the Houses of Parliament or considered as a potential update going forward.
However, some used the opportunity to suggest that restrictions were needed for older drivers albeit not as draconian.
@Adrian617 posted: “I wouldn’t agree with a full test, but definitely a medical and a eye test every 12 to 18 months.” (sic)
@Mr Reason commented: “Perhaps a refresher for everyone especially those who have forgotten what indicators are for. Nearly been wiped out more than once by drivers of all ages who feel it is beneath them to use them.
@topshamsalie reacted: “I think a doctor’s test and eye test at 55, repeat at 60 and 65. 70 full medical and if doctor is worried a driving test. 75 definitely a driving test.” (sic)
