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OPINION: 100 Year Old Driving School: Why elderly drivers must be banned from the roads

Writer Rob Leigh reveals strong views

By Robert Leigh

Anybody – of any age – can be an appalling driver. But those drivers who’ve racked up a century or more should be prevented, banned even, from getting behind the wheel.

100 Year Old Driving School is a fun, early evening ITV watch. Fun, that is, until you realise many of the elderly drivers featuring wouldn’t have a chance in hell of passing their driving exam if they took it now.

Indeed, several (such as 95-year-old John Quince on last night’s show) have never even taken a driving test. Or have half an inkling of the contents of the Highway Code (experience commanding a warship notwithstanding).

And that should not be allowed, even with years of driving experience.

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Examiners from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents felt John was better off not driving (Credit: ITV)

There are more than 200 drivers over the age of 100 in the UK, which is remarkable in itself. Even though motorists over 70 must reapply through the post for a driving licence every three years, they are not automatically re-tested.

If altered, the bureaucracy of chasing up elderly drivers would no doubt be a headache. Who, though, would want to explain to the family of a road accident victim their pain could have been prevented were it not for a pile of pesky admin?

That’s not to suggest older drivers are more dangerous than drivers of other ages. Statistics suggest drivers between new drivers between 17 and 19 are involved in more accidents.

Older drivers are however frailer and more likely to die or be seriously injured in an accident. Furthermore, their reaction times are far more likely to be slower. This generalisation seems indisputable.

While the need – and desire – to remain independent is completely understandable, there comes a point when a balance has to be struck. As charming as the majority of the subjects in 100 Year Old Driving School are, they are also typified by a confidence their driving is perfectly fine.

That’s where the problem comes in. If, as part of a driver’s judgment, they are unable to recognise their own weaknesses or accept they are not fit to be on the road, that judgment is flawed.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, of course. If that opinion comes from being unwilling to accept the changes ageing brings upon us endangers innocent people’s lives, then that’s where the law needs to step in and remove any room for such an opinion.

This would not be a blanket ban for anyone entitled to a bus pass. There is a whole world of difference between a 70-year-old and a 100-year-old and, of course, people age at different rates than the number of candles on their birthday cake may suggest.

Even then, exceptional individuals still thrive and prove the old adage that age is nothing but a number.

For instance, take 93-year-old Jack Hearn who featured in the first show of this series. An international judo grand master who can still throw a man over his shoulder, Jack impressed his driving examiner and passed with flying colours.

Jack is exceptional. And an exception to the rule.

If the time came that saw Jack’s driving powers dim, would he be able to realise it and would he be able to admit it?

Jack was hailed as a superb driver (Credit: ITV)

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100 Year Old Driving School is on ITV, Tuesdays at 7.30pm.

Do you think elderly drivers should have their car keys taken away? Let us know by commenting on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix.

Robert Leigh
Freelance writer

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