"Relative to other risks on the road, it's not high - we're not talking in the same risk category ... as alcohol and drugs, young drivers, speed or restraint wearing, or for that matter motorcycling - but it does not mean that it isn't a risk," he said.
Nineteen drivers aged 74 or older have been referred for on-road safety tests in the Rotorua district so far this year. Ten have failed.
Police planned to remove older drivers from the road if they were a "disaster waiting to happen", Mr Taylor said. Such action required input from the New Zealand Transport Agency and the family's GP.
"It's a fairly major move, you're not just taking away someone's licence, in a lot of cases you are removing their freedom of movement and severely impacting on their lifestyle."
Ange Inia from AA Rotorua said the Rotorua District Council occasionally ran "safe for age" courses for older drivers but conceded demand was not high.
But "there's always a need for keeping the road safe", she said.
Nationally, nearly half of all older drivers referred for on-road safety tests have failed this year.
More than 5000 licensed drivers on New Zealand roads are in their 90s, with 11 aged over 100.
Our oldest motorist is an impressive 104.
Car review website dogandlemon.com editor Clive Matthew-Wilson said the Government needed to provide older people with alternatives to driving cars.
"Old people drive because cars give them a sense of independence, but also, they drive because they have little choice," he said.
"The entire New Zealand transport system is based around cars and trucks, with very few alternatives."
He said old people, in particular, tended to live in places that were distant from convenient public transport and in rural areas where there was often no public transport at all.
Automobile Association spokesman Mike Noon said it was desirable to keep older motorists driving as long as they could do so safely.
"The loss of mobility, the loss of the freedom for older drivers is really significant."
Drivers must renew their licence at 75, 80, and every two years after that.
To do so, drivers must obtain a medical certificate from their GP after a health and vision check.
After the health check, drivers are classified into one of five categories:
Medically fit to drive without restrictions;
Medically fit to drive with conditions;
Medically fit to drive subject to passing an on-road safety test;
Medically fit to drive subject to confirmation by a specialist;
Not fit to drive - in which case the driver's licence expires on his or her next birthday.
Conditions imposed on older drivers could include only driving within a certain distance of their home, or between certain hours - to keep them away from heavy traffic, Mr Noon said.
Many older drivers voluntarily stopped driving at night as it was harder for them to see, and lights became dazzling.
They also avoided driving in heavy traffic, or around schools during drop-off and pick-up times.
"They just use their vehicle in their immediate area - going to church, visiting friends, going to the supermarket," he said.
Generally older drivers were more conservative, Mr Noon said.
"They're not speeding, they're not doing anything outrageous on the road."
Transport Ministry figures show 18 drivers aged 75 or older have been killed in crashes this year.
In the first six months of 2012, there were 12 fatal, 49 serious, and 241 minor injury crashes involving older drivers.
Aged Drivers in New Zealand
75-79: 82,891
80-89: 76,011
90-99: 5617
Over 100: 11
19 on-road safety tests for drivers aged 74 or older in the Rotorua district this year. Only 9 passed
Nationwide, 699 on-road safety tests for drivers aged 74 and older this year. The national pass rate is 54 per cent
18 older drivers killed this year
15 older drivers killed in 2011
12 fatal, 49 serious, and 241 minor injury crashes involving drivers aged 75 or older in the first 6 months of 2012
19 fatal, 93 serious, and 455 minor injury crashes involving older drivers in 2011
104 - the oldest driver on New Zealand roads, living in Northland
164,530 current licence holders aged 75 and above. 84,890 are male drivers, and 79,639 female
