My parents are both well into their eighties,and my mother gave up driving long ago,after running off the road into a wall,thankfully without either injury to herself or a third party.She took 5 attempts at passing her test and has always been paranoid about driving at over 40mph!Doesn't say much for real competence does it? Dad,however, was a fighter pilot and has always liked to get a move on! He is still a very good driver, who takes the utmost care of his eyesight.
When the driving test was first introduced there was so little traffic on the roads so there can be little comparison with today's mayhem.True,the test is tougher, but how many drivers keep up to date with the Highway Code?
I certainly don't agree that age makes safe. I am forever having problems with the older generation being totally unable to negotiate a roundabout correctly,because they were never taught how. Try going straight ahead on a motorcycle,from the nearside lane,as is correct,and see how many times you are carved up by the old guy wanting to do the same---from the offside lane!!.They don't even know it is wrong!.
I would hate to be the one to have to tell my dad his driving days were over,but I know he is sensible enough to make that decision himself.
Driving has become a way of life to many of us and those of us who wish to carry on should not be afraid to go back to school occasionally.