Editorial: A tragic road death of a child and subsequent court case against an elderly driver

A truly appalling and tragic court case has come to a conclusion in Northern Ireland.

John Noble Lindsay, 92, from Carrickfergus has admitted killing schoolgirl Scarlett Rossborough after the car he drove struck her in the town last August.

He pleaded guilty to killing the Linn Primary School pupil by careless driving but denied the charge of death by dangerous driving.

Poignantly, his KC told the judge that Mr Noble "does not feel he is fit enough to go this trial process" and "does not feel it is appropriate to put the family through the trial process".

A girl is dead, robbed of her future life. A man who might well have led an exemplary life is now, approaching the end of his days, facing ruin and guilt that will be with him for the rest of his life. Mr Noble did the right thing, sparing the family of Scarlett a trial, but that will never bring back her life or repair the lasting devastation caused to her loved ones.

There has been a growing number of such cases. In Worcester, a man of 91 recently admitted causing death by careless driving after a pedestrian was fatally struck when his car mounted a pavement.

In England a few years ago, a man of 87 was jailed for causing the death of a pedestrian. He died in prison.

Societies will need to talk honestly about what is happening. Many people are living far, far longer than elderly people once did.

They are living often healthy and independent lives. This is a huge advance for the quality of life of elderly folk. Being able to drive is at the heart of it.

At the same time, it is hard to tell an older person that they might no longer be capable of driving. No-one wants to get into a row with them, or seize their car keys.

The day is coming when mandatory re-testing might needed after a particular age, perhaps 85.

This should at least be debated.