The tragic death of a six-year-old girl after an 86-year-old woman reversed her car into her family on the Sunshine Coast has prompted an outpouring of grief from the local community and online.

It has also prompted strong opinions about older drivers.

One person on Facebook called for a 'dob-in-a-pensioner' hotline.

"My gran should not be on the road, and tell me who's going to stop her from driving?" the user posted.

Another said: "Full respect to the elderly but 86 is too old to be behind the wheel."

"This age group has more accidents PER km than any other age group," another person said.

Another suggested that "older drivers can be competent but they need to be tested under pressure, to ensure that their motor skills and ability to react remain at acceptable levels".

But are older drivers really more dangerous? And what can family members do if they are worried about a loved one?

We find out.

What are the rules for older drivers?

The Queensland Transport Department says getting older can affect your vision, movement and information processing, making it more difficult to drive safely.

The department makes drivers get a medical certificate if they want to keep their licence once they turn 75 years old.

Older drivers need to go back to a doctor every 13 months to get the certificate renewed, but doctors who want more regular checks can issue a certificate for a shorter period.

Police can help out families by suggesting to an older person that it is not safe for them to be on the roads. ( Supplied: Jessamie Jackson )

Doctors can also recommend restrictions such as only driving during the day, no highway driving, or not driving more than five kilometres from home.

The RACQ also has an online questionnaire to help older drivers work out if they should be behind the wheel.

But are older drivers more dangerous?

University of Queensland psychology professor Nancy Pachana, who studies ageing and how it affects people, said the answer can be surprising.

"Most of the research, if not all the research, across countries including Australia says that driving is a skill that benefits from experience," Professor Pachana said.

Prof. Nancy Panchana said experience gave older drivers a "mental map" of potential hazards on the road. ( www.uq.edu.au )

"So older drivers, if they are healthy in terms of their physical health and their cognitive health, are among the safest drivers."

She said experience gives older drivers a "mental map" of potential hazards they need to anticipate while on the road.

"Older adult drivers, who have this lifetime accumulated experience tend to know and be aware of these hazards," she said.

"Older adults, even when they are starting to have some difficulties with vision, not being able to see as well at dawn or dusk … they tend to do some compensation so they either won't drive at some times of day, sometimes they might slow down a bit."

What can family members do if they're worried about someone?

Friends or relatives can write to the transport department with details and supporting evidence if they are concerned someone is not fit to drive.

CARS executive Bobbie Henry said convincing a family member to give up their licence is not an easy process.

"It's very hard, basically you've got to stand strong and be adamant and ask the police to back you," she said.

"Police are more than happy to help out families by suggesting to an older person that really it's not safe for you out on the roads."

Is the current system working?

Road Trauma Services Queensland president Garry Church said some general practitioners are too hesitant to recommend a person hand over their licence, given how it can affect someone's independence.

"My way of thinking, the only way we can really get around this is to have designated government medical officers (GMO) in the region that these people need to attend, not go to a family doctor," Mr Church said.

"I think that way it is very fair, right across the scope, that if that GMO says: 'Sir, I don't believe you should be driving anymore, I'm making recommendations to the transport department that you hand your licence in' … I think that's probably one of the fairest ways."

Bobbie Henry, who heads the advocacy group Citizens Against Road Slaughter (CARS), said doctors do not know what the person is like behind the wheel.

She wants drivers 75 years and older to be forced to take tests.

"The Government should pay for a driving test every year for that person, every year … if they don't pass their driving test, they just don't get a licence."