FIL has finally done it....

No problem in you also talking to DVLA.

I remember my Dad, when he was really not safe to be driving, arriving at our place and I asked him how the drive went - he told me that at XX drivers kept beeping at him and he could not understand why! The place in question was a very complex motorway junction with cars filtering in from both sides - the mind boggled as to what he had been doing! I do hope you manage to sort your FIL for his benefit and that of other road users.

Kate - I'm glad no-one was hurt in the accident, and I hope he learns from it.
Luckygirl at 81 I've banned myself from motorways, and their confusing junctions. I had my first accident last year, and think that my mistake was partly due to misjudging the speed of other vehicles. I found this research on the subject:
citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.558.3838&rep=rep1&type=pdf
It seems the ability to judge other's speed does decline with age.

I think KatyK you need to ask yourself how you'd feel if, next time he has an accident, someone is seriously hurt or even killed.

Katek - you know what you have to do. You don't need to ask - ring DVLA and his insurance company. So no one was hurt - but the other driver will have to spend time sorting things out - does he have to have his car repaired? As Anya says maybe some children will be left fatherless next time - that might make you feel guilty - well that'll help them won't it? I don't know what responsibility the police have - but you have a moral responsibility here - you know that. So just get on with it instead of faffing about on here. And yes I do know someone whose life was change by someone who shouldn't have been driving.

This is of no help but just want to say that my dad got to an age when he really shouldn't have been driving and was a danger on the road. However, before we could contact anyone to make him stop driving he put the car on charge in his garage incorrectly and set light to the car and destroyed that and his garage (it was, luckily, separate from the bungalow). So that was the end of his driving days!

katek time to just take the car keys and face the flak?

The message is there, Katek, and you don't need anyone to tell you what needs to be done.

Can you soften the blow for your FIL by offering some solutions to the problems he's going to face eg point out that taking taxis will likely cost far less than running a car, maybe offering to take him shopping (if you're nearby) or arranging an online shop for,him!

Sorry, I didn't preview, the comma and exclamation mark shouldn't be there.

I have a near by neighbour who is 95. Every time I see him drive up the road in his, rather large, car, I cringe......

I jumped in too quickly with my experience, Kate,so forgot you were asking for advice.
I don't know whether the police will take any action - here they step in and bring the case to court if someone was injured, but not otherwise. The person at fault can be banned from driving, or their insurers will refuse to re-insure them.
I thought in the UK drivers have to have regular medicals, to see if they're fit to drive?
Your FIL may have problems with insurance after this accident, and you certainly can't let him drive uninsured.

My brother's MiL had her licence revoked by the police when her foot slipped as she drove down a slope. She went into a rather expensive car and was getting uppity about owning up to it (as per usual)so the owner called the police. She has had to ask for it back and, apparently, the doctor is saying she's fine. DB thinks she isn't but is being coerced by the rest of the family not to say anything.

She was asked 'what happens if you knock a 5 year old child over next time?' Her reply was 'Well, I wouldn't do that, would I'

It's all a bit political - DH and I definitely want him to stop driving, DH's sister is of same frame of mind yet also slightly reluctant as she will be the one to drive FIL if he won't take taxis. We're 3 hours away so can't offer practical help whereas she's only half an hour. I think DH has reservations about taking this decision on his own as it will potentially mean more work fir his sister who is already doing a lot. They're speaking tonight so hopefully this situation will be resolved. FIL is currently without a car so we have a bit of a window to sort this out. Thanks for posts-I do agree that he needs to be off the road and that we're going to have to make it happen.

Just a thought but I wonder if the insurance company will increase his insurance by a large amount given his age and the fact that he's now had an accident. It might be a lever to encourage him to stop!

My own father is 90 and we persuaded him to stop driving 3 years ago when my mum died. He refuses to use taxis even though he is saving lots of money by not running a car. I have, however, got him to use Internet grocery shopping as long as I actually do the order for him which is stil easier than taking him shopping.