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A “sneaky septuagenarian” who has been driving without a licence for 50 years has finally been caught by police last week.

Officers made the discovery after the 72-year-old man was involved in a minor crash on the A38 at Uffculme in Devon on Bonfire Night.

He was subsequently reported to court for driving without a licence and no insurance.

Devon and Cornwall’s road policing team tweeted: "You know you've had luck on your side when you've driven for over 50 years without a license and never been prosecuted,"

"But alas, all good things must come to an end. A small collision has finally revealed one mid-Devon man's secret to us. #sneakyseptegenarian."

You know you've had luck on your side when you've driven for over 50 years without a license and never been prosecuted. But alas, all good things must come to an end. A small collision has finally revealed one mid-Devon man's secret to us.#sneakyseptegenarian 1059 / 3656 pic.twitter.com/W5Ux9vzkWU — Alliance RPT �+�=❌ (@RoadPolAlliance) November 10, 2019

A statement from Devon and Cornwall Police said: "Police were called with a report of a road traffic collision involving a car and a van on the A38 at Uffculme, Cullompton, at around 9.10pm on Tuesday 5 November.

"Officers attended and the 72-year-old male driver of the van was subsequently reported to court for driving without a licence and no insurance."

There have been 10,974 accidents involving drivers over the age of 70 in 2011, according to Department for Transport (DfT) figures.

Holding out a driving license

Although many road safety charities argue elderly drivers don't pose the greatest danger behind the wheel, drivers over the age of 80 are at an increased risk of accidents, according to Liz Box, head of research at the RAC Foundation.

She says frailty is an issue with older drivers, so those involved in accidents are more likely to be injured.

The hand of an elderly gentleman on the steering wheel At the moment, motorists over 70 must declare they are fit to drive every three years, but they do not have to take a driving or medical exam.

The RAC Foundation, a transport policy and research organisation, doesn't support compulsory testing for older drivers, as every individual is different.

Gallery: Photos of the day (Reuters)