Motorists over 70 could be banned from the roads if they fail compulsory eye tests under a radical shake-up of driving laws in England and Wales. Drink driving limit may be reduced.
The changes are expected to be included in a new road safety strategy set to be published by the government in the autumn, with ministers believing that the current safety messaging isn’t working.
“In no other circumstance would we accept 1,600 people dying [on the roads each year], with thousands more seriously injured, costing the NHS more than £2bn per year,” a government source told the BBC.
“This Labour government will deliver the first Road Safety Strategy in a decade, imposing tougher penalties on those breaking the law, protecting road users and restoring order to our roads,” the source added.
Now, a new requirement being prepared by the transport secretary could make eye tests for the over-70s compulsory when they renew their driving licence every three years.
However, Peter Browne, 73, from Great Yarmouth, told the BBC that he has tried to get an appointment to get his sight checked but is unable to get one.
He says he has glaucoma and has reported it to the DVLA but that he has not stopped driving.
“I’m quite frustrated,” he said. “If it was found that my eyesight was not of sufficient level to drive, would it be my fault or the NHS for not being able to give me an appointment?”
Changes to Drink-driving limit.
First reported in the Times, the drink-drive limit is expected to be dropped from 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath to 22 micrograms.
This would match limits set for Scotland, which were lowered in December 2014 following an independent review of Drink and Drug Driving Law.
Despite the lower limit, the Institute of Alcohol Studies found it “had no impact on any type of road accident, from fatal crashes to collisions”.
It did, however, find the reform led to a greater anti-drink driving sentiment among the public.
According to government figures from late last year, there had been rise in deaths caused solely by alcohol in England over the past four years.
