Motorists over 70 years of age could be banned from driving if they fail compulsory eye tests, under plans set to be included in the Government’s highly anticipated road safety strategy.
First reported by The Times, plans also include reducing the drink-driving limit in both England and Wales to be in line with Scotland’s laws, and introducing penalty points for passengers not wearing a seatbelt.
The new road safety strategy is set to be published by the Government in the autumn, with ministers believing that the current safety messaging is not working. It will be the first in more than a decade.
A government source told the BBC: “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.
“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 UK is one of only three European countries to rely on self-reporting of visual conditions affecting the ability to drive.
Under the changes considered, the strategy could make eye tests for the over-70s compulsory when they renew their driving licence every three years.
Also under consideration are tests for conditions like dementia, as are stricter rules for drink driving.
The drink-drive limit is expected to be tightened from 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath to 22 micrograms.
This would match limits already set for Scotland, which were lowered in December 2014.
Other proposals include police being allowed to rely on roadside saliva tests for evidence of drug-driving rather than blood tests, making it easier to prosecute suspects.
Justice minister, Alex Davies-Jones, told BBC Breakfast that this was the biggest shake up to the UK’s driving laws “for decades”, but stressed that the proposed changes remain part of a consultation process.
She also reiterated that the government is not currently looking at the introduction of graduated licenses for young drivers – something many bereaved parents have called for – saying that it could potentially “over-target younger drivers and unfairly discriminate against them”.
The government “will keep everything under review”, she added.
Stakeholder reaction
Road Safety GB has welcomed the proposed measures, as it looks forward to seeing the whole strategy later in the year.
Bill Smith, Road Safety GB’s director of communications, said: “The new road safety strategy is much anticipated by the profession and as such it’s great to have confirmation that it will definitely be published before the end of this year.
“Road Safety GB welcomes all of the proposed measures outlined in this article, in particular lowering the drink drive limit, and tightening up the rules around eyesight testing for older drivers.
“We look forward to seeing the whole strategy in the autumn.”
A similar sentiment has been echoed by Th Road Safety Trust and UKROEd.
Ruth Purdie OBE, Chief Executive, The Road Safety Trust and UKROEd, said: “Too many lives are still lost on UK roads every year. We welcome the early signs that the new road safety strategy will address key issues such as driver eyesight and drink-driving limits.
“A new strategy has been long awaited, and we are encouraged by the Government’s positive engagement in developing it. We look forward to its full publication before the end of the year, which is an important step towards making our roads safer for everyone.”
The RAC says an overhaul of road safety laws is ‘much overdue’, although more needs to be done to tackle drink-driving.
It points to research from the Institute of Alcohol Studies which found the lower limit in Scotland “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.
Simon Williams, RAC head of policy, said: “We look forward to seeing the detail of the Government’s forthcoming road safety strategy as too many lives are being lost on our roads every year. More clearly needs to be done to change that.
“Government data for Scotland suggests merely reducing the legal drink-drive limit isn’t enough. A significant number of drink-drive offences are committed by reoffenders, so tackling the risk associated with habitual drink-drivers is crucial.
“Motorists we’ve surveyed are supportive of repeat offenders having to have alcolocks fitted to their vehicles to stop them driving over the limit. More scope for the police to deal with drug-drivers more quickly would be very welcome.”
The National Motorcycle Council (NMC) has underlined the need for the new strategy to have a clear focus on improving motorcycle safety though greater policy recognition for motorcycling and road safety support for motorcyclists as vulnerable road users.
Craig Carey-Clinch, NMC executive director, said: “We welcome news that the Government’s long overdue road safety strategy is finally progressing, particularly as the overall level of road casualties has not significantly changed since 2013.
“However, the strategy must have a strong focus on supporting safety improvements for motorcycling.
“These must be focussed on holistic measures to reduce rider vulnerability through recognition and inclusion in overall transport policies, with supporting actions to improve rider accessibility and reduce risks that riders face on the roads.
“This must include safer infrastructure, further pressure on roads maintenance and an emphasis on supporting the greater roll out of post-test rider and car driver education.”
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