ROAD safety campaigners from Huddersfield say elderly drivers should not be singled out for re-testing.
But charity Brake believes changes to the law are necessary to ensure over 70s are safe on the road.
The RAC Foundation yesterday said forcing older motorists to retake the driving test would do little to reduce accidents.
Experts said elderly drivers were among the safest on the roads.
Brake wants all drivers re-tested every five or 10 years regardless of their age.
But campaigns officer Ellen Booth said older drivers potentially posed their own risks.
She said: “Young drivers are riskier than any others, the statistics show that, but that’s not to say older drivers are not risky in any way.”
Potential problems with older drivers included worsening eyesight and the effects of medication, she said.
“At the moment, drivers over the age of 70 have to fill in a self-assessment form,” she added.
“We would like to see everyone over the age of 70 going to the doctor’s to be assessed.”
The RAC Foundation’s report said introducing mandatory re-testing would be hard to police and would limit elderly drivers’ mobility.
It said elderly motorists’ safety record was better than that of many young drivers.
Director Professor Stephen Glaister said: “We are unlikely to see re-testing at 70 because, despite the myths, older drivers are no less safe than other age groups.
“Re-testing in this way could also contravene recently-passed equality legislation.
“Older drivers should be encouraged to do refresher training where the evidence shows it has benefits, but they should see this as an offer of help, not a compulsory measure which will leave them fearful of losing their licence and becoming increasingly housebound.”
He added: “It is in everybody’s interest to keep older people mobile for as long as they are safe to do so.
“If driving is no longer appropriate or desirable, alternatives must be in place to allow people to retire from driving and still access essential services and leisure opportunities.”
