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A New Zealand lobby group for senior citizens has criticised a company for selling special plates for cars telling road users that the driver is elderly.

The so-called "E-plates" are being sold by Auckland-based company SafeGrannies as a weapon against road rage, the reports.

"A large percentage of road rage could be removed if [drivers] were aware who was in front of them," says company founder Nick Carrol, pointing out that the signs have similar intentions to 'baby on board' signs used by parents in encouraging other drivers to slow down.

But the lobby group for over-50s says the NZ$12 (US$9; £6) signs are "ageist". Its president Tom O'Connor says that he suspects they will do nothing for "the conduct of idiots on the roads".

"I've got no objection if someone wants to put one on their car, but I don't believe it would help in terms of safety," he says.

Mr Carrol, however, says that his plates have received widespread support from the local elderly community, and claims that senior citizens are safer drivers than young men.

"Older drivers are actually the ones sticking to the speed limit, and in Auckland, that's not fast enough for other drivers," he told Stuff.

His claim is backed up by Insurance Brokers Association of New Zealand (IBANZ), that 18-25 year-old men are the highest risk group of drivers.

IBANZ chief executive Gary Young said at the time that "young males under 25 are diabolical drivers and tend to have the most accidents.

"They think they're bulletproof, especially those that have just got their licence."

Reporting by Alistair Coleman

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