UK drivers over 70 could face strict new tests under law change plans

25 comments

1. They should have to retake their theory.

2. Drivers over the age of 70 could be required to undergo new capability tests as part of the Government’s proposed overhaul of road safety legislation.

   Under the plans reportedly being considered by Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander, the drink-drive limit in England and Wales could be cut while mandatory eye tests could be introduced for older drivers.

   The proposals are also said to include tougher penalties for uninsured driving and failing to wear a seatbelt.

3. Thank God. Boils my piss that young people are grilled over their driving all the time, but someone who can barely see and move their limbs is given free reign to drive.

4. This is great but lets not forget that thousands of rural bus routes have been scrapped over the years. If we are removing these peoples abilities to get about we should also consider the impact of these cuts as they will be felt harder than ever if this goes through.

5. Make everyone retake the full driving text every 10 years, with 1 year grace to pass again. Everyone.

6. Thank fuck for that

7. I have found elderly drivers often fail to detect motorcyclists. I’ve had at least half a dozen near misses this summer from older drivers who emerge from side roads ,completely ignoring motorcyclists.

8. Thank god, had my car written off because some old dodder went around a roundabout THE WRONG WAY and then proceeded to join a national speed limit road on the wrong side of the road

   I broke and avoided him and was subsequently rear ended, thank god no one else was hurt but this man wasnt fit to operate a vehicle at all

9. Problem is… retirement age will soon exceed 70

   We gonna invest massively into public transport as an alternative?

10. The issue is with older people, no offence btw to anyone that’s of an older age than 70 here.

    Older people generally lack the reaction times of a younger person, meaning they can’t anticipate hazards faster than a younger individual.

    In my opinion as a driver of over 9 years, I think reaction times are one of the keys to safe driving.

    As such I think a reaction test in addition to the tests suggested should take place.

11. Next they’re going to raise pension age to 80 so all you people cheering it will have to ride a bicycle to your workplace 10 miles away because public transportation wont be subsidized without a large enough tax base.

12. If people are considered too old to drive at 70 then they’re bloody well too old to work a full time job, so stop putting up the retirement age!

13. It really amazes me that once you’ve passed your test(s), then there’s no check on your visual or general driving ability until you reach 70 when you self-report your ability.

    we need a system that allows for regular checks on ability, not necessarily a full retest, but something to check people have picked up on new road laws, have suitable vision and are still able to cope with driving

14. Just another excuse to get drivers off the road for net zero goals.

15. 70 is too early. 80 and I’m in

16. Why restrict to a particular age group. Anyone going for an eye test should be subject to similar restrictions.

17. Surely the solution here is get self driving cars to the point where they truly don’t require a driver. Loneliness in the elderly is a big problem that can be made better with this. Taking more licenses, whilst arguably necessary, may well exacerbate other issues

18. Yeah we should do mandatory can check their blind spots without having to shift their own bodies because I’ve found most of them just give up checking.

19. Just put insurance up to £5000 a year. No cruise for you this year Karen.

20. Just today I overtook a person older than time driving 30mph down the 70mph motorway causing absolute chaos, then just after my exit I saw another coffin dodger driving the wrong way up a dual carriageway… Something really does need to be done about the aged population driving.

21. Not strict

22. Shouldn’t just be over 70s every driver should have regular sight tests.

23. Do it for voting as well!

24. these older drivers are bloody dangerous

25. OMG how many times? Just enforce the EXISTING LEGISLATION!!!! 😣

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