Over 70s face driving ban if they fail new compulsorily eye tests

2 days ago 4

Over 70s could beryllium made to instrumentality compulsory oculus tests each 3 years - and volition beryllium banned from driving if they fail, it is understood.

Ministers are said to beryllium considering "tougher" measures to tackle roadworthy deaths and injuries successful England and Wales, which they judge person "remained stubbornly precocious nether successive Conservative governments".

Under the caller proposals, archetypal reported by The Times, the drink-drive bounds would beryllium lowered to lucifer the existent rules successful Scotland.

Currently, the drink-drive bounds is 35 micrograms of intoxicant per 100 millilitres of enactment successful England and Wales, oregon 80 milligrams of intoxicant per 100 millilitres of blood.

But this is expected to beryllium lowered to 22 micrograms of intoxicant per 100 millilitres of enactment oregon 50 milligrams of intoxicant per 100 millilitres of blood, to lucifer the stricter levels already enforced successful Scotland.

Those caught not wearing a seatbelt could besides person punishment points for the archetypal time, portion drivers recovered connected the roadworthy without security could besides look much terrible consequences.

As good arsenic this, plans are presently being drawn up to marque those aged 70 oregon implicit instrumentality a compulsory oculus trial each 3 years erstwhile they renew their driving licence.

Those who neglect this would suffer their close to thrust nether the proposals. It's understood that tests for different conditions, specified arsenic dementia, are besides being considered.

 Reuters

Image: Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander is expected to present the changes arsenic portion of the government's roadworthy information strategy successful the autumn. Pic: Reuters

The measures are expected to beryllium unveiled by Heidi Alexander, the transport secretary, successful a caller roadworthy information strategy owed to beryllium published successful the autumn, it is understood.

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A Labour root said: "At the extremity of the past Labour government, the fig of radical killed and earnestly injured connected our roads was astatine a grounds low, but numbers person remained stubbornly precocious nether successive Conservative governments.

"In nary different condition would we judge 1,600 radical dying, with thousands much earnestly injured, costing the NHS much than £2bn per year.

"This Labour authorities volition present the archetypal Road Safety Strategy successful a decade, imposing tougher penalties connected those breaking the law, protecting roadworthy users and restoring bid to our roads."

It comes aft 1,633 radical died successful roadworthy postulation accidents successful 2024, with astir 28,000 victims earnestly injured.

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