THE "old versus young" driving debate has been raging for weeks as the different age groups try to prove they are safest on the roads.

Calls for compulsory driving tests for all over-70s last month were greeted with dismay by those who claim that teenage drivers are the biggest menace on the roads.

But young motorists hit back saying that elderly drivers have slow reactions, poor eyesight and a lack of ability to cope with today's traffic conditions.

Today's "winners" are the over-70s, with the publication of an AA study which reveals senior citizens are as safe behind the wheel as younger motorists.

The report states that older drivers are unlikely to be involved in drink-drive accidents and that they avoid heavy traffic and long journeys.

It also claims drivers over 80 have a better record than those in their teens and that drivers in their 70s drive average journeys of just five miles.

AA spokesman Andrew Howard said many people are intolerant towards elderly motorists and said the report aims to dispel some of the myths surrounding their accident record.

"The rising number of older drivers reflects the post-war increase in driving tests," said Mr Howard.

"It has been a major factor in the creation of the highly mobile society we live in today and leaves many older people needing a car to maintain their lifestyle - shopping, visiting friends and family and even going to the doctor.

"We aim to provide basic pointers for anyone concerned about an older driver and to dispel many of the prejudices held by some intolerant motorists."

In August this year, a road safety charity called for more testing for over-70s after two tragic road accidents in Dorset.

Pedestrian Beryl Scragg of Mallard Close, Bournemouth, died after being in collision with a car driven by 74-year-old Teresa Sanders of Barton-on-Sea. Mrs Sanders was unable to explain to an inquest why she did not see a red traffic light at a pedestrian crossing in Christchurch.

And Denis Cook of Broadstone was killed when he was in collision with a car driven by 84-year-old Horace Emmett, also of Broadstone, also on a pedestrian crossing.

The head of the Dorset Police Road Policing Unit, Chief Inspector Rick Dowell, also backed calls for more testing for elderly drivers and told the Daily Echo: "There are elderly drivers that shouldn't be on the road.

"There are some whose driving skills haven't kept up with today's levels of traffic, its complexities and hazards.

"If we consider that an elderly driver might represent a danger to themselves or others, we normally take steps to encourage the driver to surrender their licence.

"In cases where the driver won't surrender their driving licence voluntarily, we may prosecute.

"The court then has the power to disqualify."

But David Williams of charity GEM, formerly the Guild of Experienced Motorists, opposed compulsory testing and said instead there should be better checks on people's ability in terms of eyesight and medical condition.

Today's AA report revealed:

  • Around 800,000 people aged 80 and over hold driving licences;
  • In 2006, 61 drivers over 80 were killed on UK roads compared with 317 in their 20s and 149 teenagers;
  • 75 per cent of men aged 70 and over hold driving licences compared with 34 per cent of men aged 17-20;
  • Drivers over 80 have a better safety record than teenagers;
  • Drink-drive or single vehicle accidents are most likely to occur among young drivers