TRAFFIC chaos hit the A13 after a woman in her eighties drove the wrong way along the road, causing several pile-ups, last week.

The Rev Brenda Gutberlet, from Canvey, whose niece, Natalie Wade, of Rochford, was killed by 78-year-old driver, repeated calls for drivers over a certain age to be tested regularly.

We asked people across south Essex do you think drivers should have to retake their test after a certain age?

JIL ALLEN-KING, 75, OF SILVERSEA DRIVE, WESCLIFF, FROM SOUTHEND PENSIONS’ CAMPAIGN "From my own personal point of view, I think all drivers should have their eyes tested regularly, and properly tested, not just the way they are for the driving test.

Statistics show one out of four people over the age of 80 are or could be registered as blind.

From that point of view alone, we would say all drivers should have their eyes tested regularly up to the age of 60, every five years.

Over the pension age, they should have their eyes tested every year and a medical test every year as well."

RALPH MORGAN, 72, OF BASILDON HACKNEY CARRIAGE ASSOCIATION

" If you want to become a taxi driver in Basildon now, you have take a driving test again to get your badges.

You have to take an enhanced test, which we asked for.

I’ve been driving for 50 years and the change in driving habits is horrendous.

I shudder to think what people do.

They don’t indicate or anything.

I’m 72 and I have a medical every year.

I don’t have a problem, but I think everyone who reaches a certain age should getamedical from a doctor to show they don’t have dementia.

I’ve got no problem with having another test. We all get bad habits. It’s not like years ago, where people were courteous and gave way.

What age the test would be though, I don’t know."

TARIQ MUSAJI, OWNER OF WICKFORD BASED FARRAH DRIVER TRAINING

"I think once you get to the age of 70, you should have an assessment.

Not a full-blown test, as that will frighten people, but an assessment to see how safe they are, and then instructors can advise them on road safety and how to improve on the road.

When you get to that age, your body stiffens up and the likes of dementia become more prevalent, so it is important to be assessed.

This elderly woman who drove up the wrong way perhaps had some cognitive issues, such as dementia, or a problem with her medication."

BILL HICKEY, 48, A LORRY DRIVER WITH TNT IN BASILDON

"I’d be walking on thin ice because of my parents and father-in-law.

He’s 80 and I’d say he’s absolutely fine. They have spent a lot of time behind the wheel over their lives, although they might just go out on a Sunday now and the test has changed from when they took it.

Then again, they’ve driven all these years and never had an accident.

It’s a strange one really. It’s down to the individual.

There’s a time when they have to reapply and I think they have to have a test with the doctor."

DEREK ILES, 79, FROM THE SOUTHEND OLDER PEOPLE’S ASSEMBLY

" I haven’t driven for a while because of my eyes, but I do think older people should have to take a refresher course with a tutor, or at least a preliminary test.

I have a friend in Canada who drove up until she was 90, and she had to do a refresher every year.

I’m 79 and my reactions are much slower than they were years ago. When I cross the road I have to look twice before bowling across.

That is why I would want to take a test before I got on the road again.

Perhaps at the age of 80 to see if you are still capable of controlling a car."

MARTIN TERRY, 60, SOUTHEND COUNCILLOR RESPONSIBLE FOR TRANSPORT

"I don’t disagree with that at all, also some sort of health check should be done.

I’m no spring chicken, as you get older, your eyesight fades and your reactions.

Maybe doctors should notify people when they diagnose them with diabetes, which can cause big problems with your eyesight and passing out, and other problems.

It’s something that could be considered.

We have all seen some older drivers who you think: ‘Oh my God’. I understand people don’t want to give up their freedom and their individuality, but it can’t be at the risk of others."

DAVE CLIFT, 66, PRESIDENT OF SOUTHEND LICENSED TAXI DRIVERS’ ASSOCIATION

"There are two ways of looking at it.

Everyone is different. Some people are compos mentis at 80 and some are not compos mentis at 60.

It’s a very difficult decision when you are possibly taking away their independence or freedom from them.

I don’t think it’s a fair comment.

There are lots of younger people who are terrible drivers.

I can understand where people are coming from, but it should happen when people get done for speeding or a traffic accident, not just because of their age.

Apart from the three points, they should have a driving standards test or an hour with a qualified driving instructor.

They are the ones who can turn around and say this person is not capable of driving."

RAY BAILEY, 72, OF PARKANAUR AVENUE, SHOEBURY

" It can happen at much younger ages with things like dementia. There could be something like that involved.

It’s difficult to put any age limit. I know people of 90 years old with a clear mind and intelligent and unaffected by anything like that.

There ought to be some involvement from families of people and if someone is showing signs they shouldn’t be driving, that could be a route into it.

But having an arbitrary test for anyone isn’t a good idea.

You are trying to root out a few examples of people having problems and create a big bureaucracy that doesn’t solve the problem."