Over-70s face driving ban for failing eye tests
Motorists over the age of 70 could be barred from the roads if they fail compulsory eye examinations under a radical reform of driving rules in the United Kingdom. Other initiatives include reducing the drink-driving age in both England and Wales to be in accordance with Scotland's rules, as well as giving people points for not wearing a seatbelt. The move comes after an inquiry into four deaths caused by drivers with impaired eyesight found that a coroner called the UK's licensing system the "laxest in Europe. The changes are expected to be included in a new road safety plan that will be unveiled by the government in the fall, according to ministers, with ministers complaining that the new safety messages is not working.
a government source told the BBC.In no other situation would we accept 1,600 people [on the roads each year], with thousands more critically wounded, costing the NHS more than £2 billion a year,
the source said.This Labour government will produce the first Road Safety Strategy in a decade,
need to be reassessed. The United Kingdom is one of only three European countries to rely on self-reporting of visual disorders that affect their ability to drive. Now, a new rule being introduced by the transport secretary may include eye tests for the over-70s mandatory when they renew their driving licence every three years. However, Peter Browne, 73, of Great Yarmouth, told the BBC that he had tried to get his sight checked but that unable to find one. He has glaucoma and has reported it to the DVLA, but that he hasn't stopped driving.This Labor government will put tougher measures on those violating the rules, protecting road users, and restoring order to our roads. After he found that enforcement of visual legal requirements for drivers was unconstitutional, HM Senior Coroner for LancashireDr James Adeley sent a letter to Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander in April to say that further steps could be taken to prevent future deaths. Following the inquest, a source close to the transport secretary told the BBC that the laws
I'm quite frustrated,he said. "If it was discovered that my eyesight was not at optimum level to drive, was it my fault or the NHS for not being able to give me a call?
Edmund King, the AA's president, defended drivers over the age of 70, saying they are still relatively safe, but admitted that bringing in a mandatory eye exam was a small price to pay
for safety.
he said on the BBC Radio 4 Today show. According to Quoting results from road safety charity Brake,When you look at road deaths, the big peaks are with young, new drivers, and later seniors, but older drivers tend to be those over 80 and 85,
and that "over 1,500 young drivers are killed or injured each year.one in five young drivers died in their first year
Drink-driving limit
Potential medical studies for conditions such as dementia are also under scrutiny by the government, as well as tighter guidelines for drink-driving. Those with dementia are currently debating their condition to the DVLA, which will make a decision based on medical records and a questionnaire. The drink-drive limit is expected to be tightened from 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath to 22 microgram, according to the latest guidelines, which first appeared in the Times. Following an independent study of Drink and Drug Driving, the figures would match limits set for Scotland, which were lowered in December 2014. Despite the lower quota, the Institute of Alcohol Studies found that it had
a dramatic riseno effect on any kind of road accident, from fatal accidents to collisions. However, it did find that the reform did lead to a stronger anti-drink drive culture among the general population. According to government statistics from late last year, there had been
for decades,in deaths in England solely from alcohol over the past four years. Other plans include police being able to rely on roadside saliva tests for signs of drug use rather than blood tests, making it quicker to prosecute suspects. These changes, depending on the particulars of each policy area and devolution deal in place, may extend to all of Great Britain, or just England and Wales, or only to England. Alex Davies-Jones, the UK's top law reformer, told BBC Breakfast that this was the biggest shake up to the UK’s driving rules
over-target younger drivers and unfairly discriminate against them. She said that the government "will keep everything under surveillance.but that the proposed reforms were part of a consultation process. She also stated that the government is not considering the introduction of graduated licenses for young drivers, something many bereaved parents have requested for, saying that this could potentially
'Ineffective, unsafe and unfit'
Dr. Adeley, a coroner, criticized the new scheme for enforcing visual medical criteria as ineffective, unsafe, and unfit
to meet society's needs earlier this year. At Preston Coroner's Court, he made the remarks at the inquests of Marie Cunningham, 79, Grace Foulds, 85, Peter Westwell, 85), and Anne Ferguson, 75, all of whom were killed by pensioners. Anyone over the age of 70 must renew their driving license and update their photograph every three years, according to the latest regulations. If you renew, the government says you must notify the DVLA if you have a problem with your eyesight, but that does not include being short-sighted, long-sighted or color blind. Rob Heard, the founder of Older Drivers Forum and an ex-roads police officer, said he had attended over 300 fatalities in his career and had seen firsthand how these tragedies have had a ripple effect on so many people.
he said, adding that he favorsAll of the latest recommendations that have come out are positive,
Kay Hine, 75, of Perthshire, used to have an opticians' workshop, and it's agreed that everyone, regardless of age, should have their eyesight checked to ensure their driving is to the right level.compulsory eye sight examinations for people of all ages.
It's vital that people show that they can see,she said.
Additional reporting by Rozina Sini. Subscribe to our Politics Essential newsletter to stay up to date with Westminster's inner workings and beyond.Everyone who drives should have a 'proof of eyesight standard' or 'vision fitness to drive' from a recent eye exam as they do in most European countries.
