The government is planning to introduce a raft of new driving regulations at part of its Road Safety Strategy, including mandatory eye tests for drivers aged 70.
Older drivers would also have to retake their eye tests every three years, while other changes include lowering the drink driving limit in line with Scotland, and handing penalty points to drivers if passengers fail to wear a seatbelt.
The proposals, expected to be introduced in the autumn, come after new figures revealed that 1,633 people were killed and almost 28,000 seriously injured in traffic incidents last year.
A government spokesperson said: “In no other circumstance would we accept 1,600 people dying, 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.”
Step in the right direction
IAM RoadSmart director of policy and standards Nicholas Lyes said: “Given progress on reducing fatal and serious collisions has stalled in recent years, we welcome the UK government’s ambition to publish an updated road safety strategy with the reported measures being a step in the right direction.
“While many drivers over the age of 70 are safe and competent, health issues and confidence can have an impact on driving abilities, so it is sensible to review whether changes need to be made.
“We would also support reducing the drink drive limit in England and Wales alongside measures to target drug driving, however these would require significantly more backing for roads policing teams to effectively enforce new laws.”
