A FORMER senior police officer is calling on Prince Philip to hang up his car keys following an accident he was involved in last week.

The Queen’s husband, who turns 98 this year, has been at the centre of a media storm following the incident, in which he flipped his Land Rover Freelander onto its side.

The accident has now sparked a nationwide debate as to whether or not drivers should be made to take a retest at the age of 70 – something a retired detective inspector from Great Harwood is fully in favour of.

Jim Oldcorn said he would be happy to resit his test to ensure the roads become a safer place.

The 75-year-old said: “I feel safe with my ability to drive my car, but I look around me sometimes and I am concerned.

“I would however be willing to prove my capabilities by taking another test.

“Many things, like the rules of the road, have changed since I learnt to drive a car so it seems like an appropriate thing to enforce.”

The crash which Prince Philip was involved in happened after he was ‘dazzled by the sun’, when emerging from a slip road onto the busy A149 near the Queen’s Norfolk estate on Thursday.

His car crashed with a Kia before flipping onto its side. One woman was left with a broken wrist and the other two passengers, another woman and a baby, were unhurt.

It has now been announced that the 97-year-old passed a police eyesight test on Saturday morning as the investigation into the crash continues, with police saying “any appropriate action” will be taken if necessary.

Mr Oldcorn said: “The accident involving Philip focuses our minds on the elderly motorist and should concern us all from a safety point of view.

"Key worries for elderly drivers must be failing eyesight, slower reaction times, ease of distraction, lapses in concentration and conditions such as dementia.

“As a motorist of advancing years myself I have long advocated that the DVLA introduce mandatory and comprehensive vision and driving tests for those over 70 to ensure drivers meet the desired standard.”

He added: “I accept that driving is a lifeline for many elderly people but in Prince Philip’s case, and without wishing to be banished to the Tower, I suggest his advisors encourage him to make the difficult decision to hang up his ignition keys.”

On Sunday photos emerged of the Prince in his new Land Rover not wearing a seatbelt.

A Norfolk Constabulary spokeswoman said the force was aware of the photographs taken on Saturday and that “suitable words of advice have been given to the driver”.