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  Newsmakers   19 Jan 2019  'No injuries of concern' for Prince Philip, 97, after car crash

'No injuries of concern' for Prince Philip, 97, after car crash

AFP
Published : Jan 19, 2019, 4:55 pm IST
Updated : Jan 19, 2019, 4:55 pm IST

The accident stirred up what The Sun described as Britain's "age-old debate" about whether and when the elderly should give up driving.

Known as the Duke of Edinburgh in Britain, Philip is also well-known for his love for speed. (Photo: AFP)
 Known as the Duke of Edinburgh in Britain, Philip is also well-known for his love for speed. (Photo: AFP)

London: Queen Elizabeth II's 97-year-old husband Prince Philip visited hospital for "a precautionary check-up" on Friday that found "no injuries of concern" after a car crash the previous day that rolled the Land Rover he was driving. An experienced pilot and carriage racer, Queen Elizabeth II's husband has never been one for slowing down and still drives himself around despite retiring from public life.

Once motorists reach 70 in Britain, they need to renew their licences every three years, though they do not need to retake their driving test. Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) figures out in November 2019 showed 110,790 people aged 90 or over still held driving licences.

There were 314 licence holders aged at least 100. The oldest were four people who were 107. Drivers must give up their licences if their doctor tells them to stop driving for three months or more, or if they do not meet the required standards for driving due to a medical condition. Drivers must also meet a minimum standard of vision. This includes being able to read a number plate from 20 metres.

But some commentators speculated that the World War II naval officer might now accept it is time to give up the wheel -- as he did with flying in 1997. He gave up polo at the age of 50 -- but switched to another equestrian sport, carriage driving, which he still enjoys.

Although he retired from public duties that year, he still has plenty to be getting on with. While Queen Elizabeth concentrates on affairs of state, Prince Philip is in charge of matters such as overseeing the royal estates. The queen is the only motorist in Britain who does not need a driving licence, as they are issued in her name. For the same reasons, she also does not hold a passport.

Tags: queen elizabeth, prince philip, duke of edinburgh
Location: United Kingdom, England