A senior New South Wales police officer is backing away from a statement in which he reportedly told older drivers to stay off the roads.

NSW Police head of traffic Assistant Commissioner John Hartley suggested on Wednesday that older drivers should think about their ability to drive long distances, in traffic and in certain weather conditions.

He drew ire from a seniors group and a motoring lobby group when his comments were taken to suggest those aged over 70 should not drive at all.

View photos Up to six people were injured, at least two of them seriously, when a car, driven by an elderly woman, mounted the curb and crashed into a shop in Sydney in 2008. Photo: AAP More

News Corp reported Mr Hartley saying older drivers could have difficulty keeping their cars centred in lanes or were more likely to run red lights.

“It is these issues that put older drivers, their passengers, and other road users at great risk,” he told News Corp.

“Personal responsibility is the key to keeping us all safe on NSW roads. Don’t wait until you’re involved in a near miss, or a crash, to reconsider your driving ability.”

Older drivers who face "draconian" medical and licence testing rejected the suggestion that people over 70 should reconsider their driving abilities.





But Mr Hartley told AAP his suggestion about drivers knowing their abilities was something drivers of all ages should consider.

He said his comments focused on the older age group because people over 70 are involved in 18 per cent of the NSW's car accidents, but only make up 10 per cent of the population.

But he rejected the suggestion he had told drivers over 70 to stop driving.

"The risk is there in the over 70 age group so those people should be aware of their driving skills and make sure that they're aware of their abilities.

View photos An unindentified elderly woman operates a driving simulator at the School of Occupational Therapy at Perth's Curtin University. A study of 129 older Perth drivers aged between 60-88 indicated simulators could provide a useful alternative for identifying which older drivers may pose a hazard to themselves or others on the road. Photo: AAP More

"Everybody has a right to drive when safe and capable and have a licence."

The NRMA said it was misguided to blame older drivers for the road toll.

"It is not feasible to take the privilege of personal mobility away from a growing proportion of the population," NRMA president Kyle Loades said.

Combined Pensioners and Superannuants Association policy officer Paul Versteege said drivers of all ages need to take care.

"It's not just a simple question of whether they are more dangerous, it comes down to driving ability," he told AAP on Wednesday.

"We would argue that any age is an age to be cautious."

Drivers over 75 in NSW must already undergo annual medical testing while those still driving over 85 are required to sit licence tests every two years.

This is on top of licence disqualification programs including demerit points and mandatory reporting of medical conditions that can impair driving ability.

"It's an over-the-top triple whammy of (demerit) points, obligations to notify and then the older driver testing ... it's a draconian regime," he said.



