This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5yllgezjk3o
The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Over-70s face driving ban for failing eye tests | Over-70s face driving ban for failing eye tests |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Motorists over 70 could be banned from the roads if they fail compulsory eye tests, as part of a radical shake-up of driving laws in England and Wales. | Motorists over 70 could be banned from the roads if they fail compulsory eye tests, as part of a radical shake-up of driving laws in England and Wales. |
| Plans also include reducing the drink-driving limit in both countries to be in line with Scotland's laws, and introducing penalty points for passengers not wearing a seatbelt. | |
| The move comes after an inquest into four deaths caused by drivers with failing eyesight saw a coroner call the UK's licensing system the "laxest in Europe". | The move comes after an inquest into four deaths caused by drivers with failing eyesight saw a coroner call the UK's licensing system the "laxest in Europe". |
| 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 is not working. | |
| "In no other circumstance would we accept 1,600 people dying, with thousands more seriously injured, costing the NHS more than £2bn per year," a government source told the BBC, following a report in the Times. | |
| "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. | "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. |
| In April, HM Senior Coroner for Lancashire Dr James Adeley sent a report to Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander to say action should be taken to prevent future deaths, after he found enforcement of visual legal standards for drivers was unsafe. | In April, HM Senior Coroner for Lancashire Dr James Adeley sent a report to Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander to say action should be taken to prevent future deaths, after he found enforcement of visual legal standards for drivers was unsafe. |
| According to his report, the UK is one of only three European countries to rely on self-reporting of visual conditions affecting the ability to drive. | According to his report, the UK is one of only three European countries to rely on self-reporting of visual conditions affecting the ability to drive. |
| Following the inquest, a source close to the transport secretary told the BBC the government accepted that the rules "need to be reassessed". | Following the inquest, a source close to the transport secretary told the BBC the government accepted that the rules "need to be reassessed". |
| Now, a new requirement for the over-70s to take eye tests every three years when they renew their driving licence is being prepared by the transport secretary. | |
| Tests for conditions like dementia are also under consideration, as are stricter rules for drink driving. | |
| Under the new plans, the drink-drive limit is expected to be tightened from 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath to 22 micrograms, which would match limits already set for Scotland. | Under the new plans, the drink-drive limit is expected to be tightened from 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath to 22 micrograms, which would match limits already set for Scotland. |
| There had been "a catastrophic rise" in deaths caused solely by alcohol in England over the past four years, according to government figures from late last year. | There had been "a catastrophic rise" in deaths caused solely by alcohol in England over the past four years, according to government figures from late last year. |
| Other proposals under consideration could also see police allowed to rely on roadside saliva tests for evidence of drug-driving rather than blood tests, making it easier to prosecute suspects. | |
| Eyesight rules 'unsafe' | |
| Earlier this year, Coroner Dr Adeley criticised the current system for enforcing visual legal standards as "ineffective, unsafe and unfit" to meet the needs of society. | |
| He made the remarks at the inquests of Marie Cunningham, 79, Grace Foulds, 85, Peter Westwell, 80, and Anne Ferguson, 75, at Preston Coroner's Court. | |
| Grace Foulds and Marie Cunningham were crossing the road in Southport when they were struck | |
| Mrs Cunningham and Mrs Foulds were struck by Glyn Jones, 68 - who failed to report his insufficient eyesight to the DVLA - in his Audi A3 as they crossed the road in Southport, Merseyside, in November 2021. | |
| Separately, Mr Westwell was hit by Neil Pemberton, 81 - who had a long history of eye disease - as he crossed the road in Langho, near Blackburn, in March 2022. | |
| Mrs Ferguson died when she was struck by a van driven by Vernon Law, 72, in Whitworth, Rochdale, in July 2023. A month before Law was told he had cataracts in both eyes but he lied to an optometrist that he did not drive. | |
| Current rules mean everyone aged over 70 must renew their driving licence, and update their photograph, every three years. | |
| When you renew, the government says you must tell the DVLA if you have a problem with your eyesight that affects both of your eyes, or the remaining eye if you only have one eye - although this does not include being short-sighted, long-sighted or colour blind. |