THE Duke of Edinburgh’s recent car crash has sparked debate over the safe age of older drivers.
Philip, 97, was driving a Land Rover Freelander, which flipped on to the driver’s side after it was hit by another car when he pulled out of a driveway near the Queen’s Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, last night.
The woman driving the other vehicle, a Kia, and her female passenger needed hospital treatment, while a witness said there was also a baby in the car.
The current rules stipulate that when motorists reach the age of 70 in Britain they are required to renew their licence, and must do so every three years thereafter.
A licence can be renewed so long as you meet the minimum eyesight requirement and are not prevented from driving for any reason.
But Philip’s age and yesterday’s crash have prompted many to take to social media to debate whether he, and anyone of that age, should still be allowed to drive.
@Pappidol is one who believes the Queen’s husband should no longer be on the roads.
He said: “time to revoke his driving license. He should not be driving on public roads. He can do whatever he likes on his estates.”
time to revoke his driving license. He should not be driving on public roads. He can do whatever he likes in his estates.
— Juxtaposed (@Pappidoll) January 17, 2019
@Elvis 193553 agreed stating: “Involved in a car crash I’m sorry Sir but you shouldn’t be driving 5months before your 98th birthday. Kids could have been involved in this, leave the driving to your chauffeur.”
https://twitter.com/elvis193553/status/1085972041210179584
Tweeter Graham Henderson-King also believed the Prince was now too old to be a motorist. He said: “Don’t get me wrong, think the old sod is hilarious but surely the #DukeofEdinburgh shouldn’t still be driving at his age.”
Don’t get me wrong, thing the old sod is hilarious but surely the #DukeofEdinburgh shouldn’t still be driving at his age?! If he can’t be left alone with the natives, surely he shouldn’t still have access to the family Land Rover??
— Graham Henderson-King (@gkse16) January 17, 2019
But others have been quick to defend Philip and older drivers.
AA president Edmund King said: “Young, predominantly male, drivers are much more likely to crash within six months of passing their test than older drivers within six months of hanging up their keys.
“Older drivers often self-restrict their driving by not driving at night and only driving on familiar roads.
“The decision to hang up your keys is a tough one but should be based on personal advice from your GP and family, rather than being based on some arbitrary age.”
Dr Melrose Stewart also believes claims that older drivers should be kept off roads are “ageist.”
She said: “Please, please, please can we change our ageist attitudes? If someone was 47 not 97 with a hearing aid, glasses and a hip replacement would we be saying they shouldn’t be driving?”
Please, please, please can we change our ageist attitudes? If someone was 47 not 97 with a hearing aid, glasses and a hip replacement would we be saying they shouldn’t be driving? #SkillMattersNotAge #DukeofEdinburgh @BBCRadio4 #discrimination #ageism
— Dr Melrose Stewart (@MelroseStewart1) January 18, 2019
Figures from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency in 2017 showed more than 100,000 people aged 90 or over still held driving licences.
The data showed that 248 people aged more than 100 still held valid licences, compared with 100,281 over-90s.
As is force policy, officers from Norfolk Police carried out roadside breath tests on the drivers of both vehicles in the accident involving Phillip, which proved negative.
They are now fully investigating the circumstances.
Enjoy the convenience of having The Sunday Post delivered as a digital ePaper straight to your smartphone, tablet or computer.
Subscribe for only £5.49 a month and enjoy all the benefits of the printed paper as a digital replica.
Subscribe