NEW PROPOSALS to introduce curfews and distance limits on elderly drives above the age of 70 are attacked by road users, warning freedoms were "coming to an end".

Some motorists warned pensioners could “start rioting” if the new measures were introduced while others urged the govt to require a tougher approach on younger drivers instead. Discussions between the DVLA and Driving Mobility have suggested elderly drivers with medical conditions like epilepsy and dementia would enjoy restricted driving.

This would mean the motorist would only be allowed to drive at certain times and will not leave their local areas.

The plan was widely attacked by Chudonnews readers with warning the scheme was just the start of a wider plan.

They said: “Ageism! this may start with elderly drivers, then trickle right down to certain other drivers, then become the norm for everybody .

“Smart cars are going to be engineered to require you simply to certain places.

“Freedom of the roads is coming to an end.”

Posting on social media, one user said: “You would have pensioners rioting.

“Retire and be confined to your house, no way.”


Another reader added: “Why this constant targeting of the elderly?

“They aren't all drooling into their Weetabix the instant they hit 60.”

A few readers also claimed older drivers were safer than younger motorists and involved schemes to be targeted at different age range.

Another said: “Look at the age bracket that has the foremost accidents and ban them from the road. It won't be the over 70s.”

However, road casualty data from the Department for Transport found more elderly road users were killed or seriously injured on the roasts in 2019.

A total of 5,604 young drivers between the ages of 17 and 24 were killed or seriously injured in road traffic collisions in 2019 compared to six ,312 over 70s.

Some Chudonnews readers supported the proposals with one driver warning they were “slowing down” in their later years.

They said: “Excellent idea. There are far too many older people on the roads who should have given up their licenses way back .

“I am approaching 70 and know that i'm slowing down.”

Another added: “Good. Too many aged drivers clogging up the roads.

“Catch the bus to the bowls club instead.”

The Department for Transport has claimed drivers over the age of 70 were more likely to be involved in collisions caused by driver error than other age groups.

Common mistakes include failing to seem at another vehicle or completing a poor vehicle manoeuvre.

Edward Trewhella, Chief executive of Drive Mobility said: “A lot of older drivers stick within their own locality.

“They attend the shop, the doctor’s surgery, go and see a granddaughter down the road, probably on minor roads with which they're familiar.”