Cavalier Duke tarnishes view of older drivers

The Duke of Edinburgh has done a considerable disservice to older motorists by driving without a seatbelt, two days after his involvement in a serious car crash, as you reported last week.

His cavalier attitude to driving has again focused media attention upon elderly drivers, despite the fact that most accidents involve younger drivers.

No one can dispute that all drivers, both young and old, must be physically and mentally capable of coping with everyday driving conditions, but Prince Philip has set a bad example when he is in a position to do the complete opposite.

He is fortunate at 97 to be mobile and have chauffeurs at his beck and call, while many other elderly people can be housebound and dependent on others.

For everyone’s sake and his own security, he should allow himself to be driven and protected on public roads. Bob MacDougall, Kippen, Stirlingshire I hope the accident will be a wake-up call for the Prince. I hope he now puts his feet up beside the Queen, who could do with having her mind put at rest. David Courtney, Weston-super-Mare It was shocking that the Duke of Edinburgh was involved in such a horrible incident. I may be in the minority but I think giving him some guidance is a better idea than prosecution. At 97, he has made a mistake and should be admonished. It’s likely he understands his mistake.

As an elderly driver myself, I understand the importance of having a vehicle. The Duke should take another driving test. But undoubtedly he needs his freedom. Jessica McPherson, Leeds Who would not want to be a member of the Royal Family? One day you write off a very expensive Land Rover, almost causing very serious injury to passengers in another vehicle, and the very next day you have another very expensive Land Rover delivered to your estate so that you can get back on the road. Peggy Hanley, Talke, Staffordshire It really is one law for the Royals and another for the rest of us. And Prince Philip has got away with a lot over the years because people are charmed by him and his gaffes.

But in the cold light of day, we have a society in which those at the top of the tree can get away with so much more than the rest of us – purely because of an accident of birth.

That has to be wrong, and the current system cannot continue the way it is. J. Benn, London As much as I love Prince Philip, he must be held accountable for his actions. He was very lucky that no one was seriously hurt in that car crash. I think he owes an apology to the public as he easily could have killed someone. He should not be behind the wheel at his age. V. de Bheal, London