Age-driven tests

The tragic fatal accident involving an 80-year-old driver (your report, 15 July) raised once again the question of whether there should be some form of refresher course or other test(s) for older drivers.

As ever, we must beware of the selective use of statistics, especially when we are given no comparative figures. Over-85s may be "four times more likely to have caused a crash than to be an innocent victim", but how many accidents underlie this statistic, and what is the figure for under-21s, for example?

At present, newly qualified drivers (of any age) are able to drive any car they choose. Not infrequently, parents collaborate by allowing the use of their cars, or buy cars as presents.

Why not adopt ideas from elsewhere? In Canada, it can take up to two years to achieve a full driving licence. In some circumstances, young people are barred from carrying other people with them, and under-21s are not allowed to drive after midnight.

Why not have some restriction on the power of cars which may be driven by newly-qualified drivers? The RAC and Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) will undoubtedly be able to contribute to this debate. Let us put this issue in perspective. As the IAM spokesman noted, older drivers already tend to self-regulate, for example, by avoiding driving on motorways or not driving at night.

ALAN R IRONS

Woodrow Road Glasgow