Experts continue to debate whether or not vision testing for senior drivers should be implemented due to the increasing number of these drivers.
Over the past ten years, there have been twice as many drivers—more than 150,000—who are 90 years of age or older.
Currently, 153,000 senior drivers are licenced to drive, a significant increase from the 77,000 who held licences in November 2012.
This occurs at a time when calls are mounting for older drivers to accept responsibility for their ability to drive, particularly if they have vision problems.
Edmund King, president of the AA, said that people over the age of 70 should take measures to improve their road safety.
He said that elderly motorists should take regular eye tests when renewing their licence and adhere to stricter guidance from their GPs.
The road safety campaigner added: “If driving restrictions based on age and safety were introduced, we would be more likely to restrict young drivers rather than older drivers.”
King continued saying that people should decide to give up driving based on the advice of their families and medical experts, not an “arbitrary age”.
Department of Transport statistics show that older drivers involved in catastrophic crashes are more likely than younger drivers to have neglected to look adequately.
The oldest licence holder in the UK is believed to be a 109-year-old woman, although it is not confirmed whether she is still driving.