Three quarters would inform on an elderly relative driver

The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) has revealed that 73% of people would report an elderly relative or friend to the police if they had concerns about their driving abilities.

A poll by the IAM also found that 68% of drivers believe that there should be compulsory re-testing of all drivers over the age of 70-years old. They thought this would be a benefit to road safety. However, an even higher 77% think that young drivers are a greater danger on the roads.

The IAM's Director of Policy, Neil Greig, said: 'It's good news that most drivers are aware that young drivers are the ones most in need of help, but worrying that mandatory re-testing has a fairly high level of support.

'We believe we need to reassure the public that older drivers do not represent a disproportionate risk. Eight percent of drivers on the UK's roads are over the age of 70 and they are involved in around 4% of injury crashes. However, 15% of drivers are in their teens and early 20s and they are involved on 34% of injury crashes - a far higher number.'

The IAM says driver assessments should be offered so the public and authorities can report their concerns, and assessments would help older drivers counteract any deterioration in driving skills.

Mr Greig added: 'Re-testing at 70 would be a mammoth administrative task with little road safety benefit.'