To conclude there must be many thousands of people on the roads who have not passed the driving test.

They introduced testing for older drivers in Denmark and it had no impact on road safety apparently. This was from a study in 2012. I couldn’t find anything more up to date.

I think there is a big difference between how older and younger drivers use the roads which will play a part. My older relatives who are still driving in their 70s and 80s are aware of their age and potential limitations and drive very cautiously and very locally.

on the other end of the spectrum younger drivers often drive further, later in the day and with distractions.

Absolutely agree

Well the thing is, all the people who passed their tests 35 years ago (and even 50 and in some cases 60 years ago), when the tests were much easier, are still on the roads.

Added to that, the longer ago your driving test, the more things you forget, bad habits get ingrained, you start to misremember myths as rules...

I was talking to some older family members the other day (in their 60s) and they were saying they weren't taught how to navigate a large multi-lane roundabout, nor how to deal with cyclists on the roads. I suddenly realised why both of those things have always been such a cause of stress to them, when I was specifically taught and practiced both of those things.

I do think a fit to drive test at a certain point is a good idea. Over 70 you have to renew every three years, perhaps that should come with a mandatory medical?

Over 70 the range of fitness, competence, medical complications and confidence is going to differ wildly. Starting fit to drive at 72-75 and / or with certain diagnosis or medications perhaps would make sense.

So you are basically saying most drivers who took a test a few decades ago are poor drivers? Well let’s just have a look at statistics…yes newer drivers are up to six times more likely to be involved in accidents, though that is due to their youth as mature (over 35) new drivers are not
I would argue that while the theory test is far harder than when I took my test 40 years ago, the on the road test is marginally harder. But the experience I have from 40 years on the road (without accident) I am more competent than anyone taking a test now or in the last five years.
I do think a driving test should be required for those over 72 - not as extensive as the first test but to test reaction speed etc.
Passing the test does not mean they are good drivers. It means they can drive. Experienced drivers are the safest, whether they took a test or not, passed first time or fifth time.

My DD and I were in an Uber the other day, attempting to get across London. The driver was v v slow; fair enough, I thought, he’s just being careful. DD then texted me - ‘look what he’s doing with his phone!!!’. I peered round the headrest to see he was watching various YouTube videos, flicking between open tabs on his phone, which was in a cradle thing.
Yes, I did report him to Uber, no idea if they did anything.

I feel like I see the same issues over and over again with town drivers - I did see an elderly man stopped dead (noticed his age because I was going to ask if he needed help) at a large, busy and confusing large roundabout READING A MAP! Literally blocking a whole lane. I felt awful for whatever he must have been going through but ffs!
The regular issues that drive me INSANE are drivers who do 35 on a national speed road - WHY??? A single lane road straight leading to the A12. Every fucking day I get stuck behind one car with a huge trail of vehicles stuck behind it because they failed to notice the road goes from 40 to national speed limit.

And.. second biggest issue - not understanding a zip merge. I can’t even articulate how fucking annoying this is, almost having my car hit daily by some dickhead who insists on pushing through because they insist the left lane has priority. There are 2 lanes for a reason

I've seen some of these police interceptor programmes and a lot of the drivers with no insurance and driving badly seem to be Romanian. Which is EU. So yes probably could do with testing everyone

I think many drivers just don’t care. It’s mostly men.

Ah okay - would love for it to apply to everyone really - wouldve said outside of the eu but that wouldnt be fair I suppose given brexit

Woman in her 80s flew across a zebra crossing on school run today. Well over 30mph (in a 20 zone). She clipped a scooter handle & didn’t even notice.

Just looked it up. It varies depending on where their licence is from originally.

Likewise.

Cars here have optional indicators too.

Lol I'm not even that old and can remember that. On an old Vauxhall cavalier I think

I didnt think they were, although happy to be corrected

Oh no it's much cheaper At 18 ( only a couple of years ago) my DS had a years insurance on a 1.4 car as a provisional licence holder It cost £236 for the year
4 times that amount once test passed

Wouldn’t it be expensive though as he hasn’t passed a test

How would drivers be able to do the" motorway," ark of the portfolio before getting full license as you need to pass first. And not everywhere has motorways

Ah sorry just noticed you said the motorway but after test Apologies

and you had to listen to the engine and slowly push the choke in.

Are they not now. My SIL had to take driving test as her south American licence was only valid for a year and same thing with a Canadian friend

I think honestly there are lots of reasons and people from all walks of life are shit drivers at times for all the reasons mentioned.

There are far more cars on the road than ever before and that doesn’t help.

Also a reduction in police hours to deal with it.

Crap transport infrastructure meaning people aren’t using public transport for the most part does not help at all.

I also think cars are more distracting and we’ve noticed some new roads have a lot of signage which is a big distractions.

And then we can talk about the dazzling headlights which make driving after dark absolutely hazardous.

I do think young drivers should have to do a certain number of hours and experience different road types, times of day and situations before they can pass. Like completing driving portfolio that a registered instructor has to sign off. And once they’ve passed they should have to do a specific number of motorway lessons before they can drive on motorways.

im not sure why the uninsured cars can’t be easily found and removed using the camera network.

Perhaps. My DS has some friends who've passed tests within the last couple of years and many of them don't seem to to be able to do a lot of things without sensors, screens etc.

Or you haven't yet had a situation where you have been caught out. Motorway driving can be more straightforward than town driving.

Middle lane hoggers at 50 mph annoy me the most and so common here. I use the m5 multiple times a week due to it being the quickest way to cross the Avon and they are a nightmare. Then there’s the light jumpers at roundabouts, it’s like they haven’t noticed the traffic lights, saw a near miss yesterday. Finally why don’t cyclists have lights and reflective clothing, if I can’t see you I can’t avoid you - no street lamps here so it’s very dark

???