So when drivers reach the age of 70 you just re-apply for a new licence (then after 70 years of age this licence will be renewed every three years).

So there is no test or medical required but a medical declaration has to be submitted and the contents of this being declared may lead to a DVLA investigation, it is important everyone declares the truth on these forms, it is the drivers responsibility to make sure they are fit to drive, Doctors must say if a driver needs to inform the DVLA, but please ask your GP “will my driving be affected” when ever any new health condition has been diagnosed.

Drivers with dementia can cause major problems and make sure your eye sight is in good condition, we all age in different ways therefore age does not condemn driving because there are no safe or unsafe ages in driving, but older drivers are more frail and can suffer more injuries, we tend to think that accident figures are higher because of older people being frail and may not be because they are worst drivers.

I always think if you have a licence and you are fit to drive it is important to keep driving. I do find many people become dependent of their partners driving and tend to give up and as time goes on traffic conditions change and become more condensed, so it is best to keep in practice on the roads, this is something during time where women drivers take a back seat.

I find older drivers get restricted on how and where to drive suffering from more anxiety or driving in the dark, driving on fast roads or busy towns. A very big danger spot which needs extra care is where older drivers have problems making right turns at major junctions.

It is also helpful for older drivers to have the right choice of car, large mirrors, vehicles with bigger windows less blind spots and bigger doors and higher seats and of course vehicles with power steering.

So as I mentioned at the beginning there is no actual driving test at the age of 70, but as it may have been a long time since the driver has read the “Highway Code” or had any checks on their driving, I believe it is most helpful to have a confidential one to one assessment and with a little more knowledge could turn out to be a life saver.

More Education is needed to keep our roads safer, it is not just the question of getting older drivers off the road, as many are safe and with a little more TLC would survive a longer time on the road.