Prince Philip: Car crash victim says 'roads will be safer now' after royal gives up driving licence

'It's the right thing to do,' says Emma Fairweather

A woman who was injured in a car accident involving Prince Philip says the roads will be safer now the 97-year-old royal has given up his driver's licence.

Buckingham Palace announced Philip, the husband of Queen Elizabeth II, had voluntarily surrendered his licence "after careful consideration”.

Emma Fairweather, who suffered a broken wrist in the 17 January accident, told the Sunday Mirror "it's the right thing to do. Undoubtedly the roads will be safer now”.

Philip was behind the wheel of a Land Rover near the royal family's Sandringham estate when he smashed into another car carrying Ms Fairweather, another woman driving the vehicle, and a 9-month-old baby.

Prosecutors say they will consider Philip's decision as they decide whether to charge him in the crash.

One lawyer had previously suggested the duke could avoid any potential prosecution for driving without due care and attention by giving up his licence.

Philip apologised for his part in the accident in Norfolk when the Land Rover collided with the Kia, leaving the women needing hospital treatment.

On Saturday, a statement from Buckingham Palace said: "After careful consideration, the Duke of Edinburgh has taken the decision to voluntarily surrender his driving licence."

Norfolk Police confirmed Philip had "voluntarily surrendered his licence to officers".

Philip's driving woes began when his car flipped over after he pulled out into a busy A road and collided with the Kia.

He escaped injury, but Ms Fairweather broke her wrist and called for the duke to be prosecuted if he was found to be at a fault.

She told the Sunday Mirror: "It [the decision] won't have been easy for him to make as it is a loss of independence. But he can work around it."

A view of the scene of a car crash involving Prince Philip on A149 in Sandringham, Norfolk on 17 January, 2019. (REUTERS)

In a letter dated 21 January, Philip wished Ms Fairweather a "speedy recovery" and said he "failed to see the car coming".

He blamed the low, bright sun for obscuring his vision, adding he was "very contrite about the consequences".

The crash did not immediately put Philip off driving.

Wearing tinted glasses, he was photographed at the wheel of a replacement Land Rover while not wearing a seatbelt in the ensuing days.

Philip was roundly criticised and police issued him with "suitable words of advice" and said "any appropriate action" would be taken if necessary.

At the time of the collision, celebrity lawyer Nick Freeman said Philip could face a prosecution for driving without due care and attention, which carries an unlimited fine.

But the lawyer, dubbed Mr Loophole, said the duke could avoid prosecution by surrendering his licence because it would decrease the chances of a case being in the public interest.

AA president Edmund King said the decision to quit driving can be a difficult one.

"Anybody who has had an elderly parent give up their driving licence will know that it can be upsetting for them and normally it's done through common sense and encouragement from family members and their doctor," he said.

Additional reporting by PA