As the government prepares to roll out their new road safety strategy this autumn, elderly drivers are in the spotlight as the question is asked – should over 70’s face a driving ban for failing compulsory eye tests?
As it stands, drivers over 70 years of age are required to renew their driving license every three years. However, there is no legal obligation for drivers to have their vision tested as part of this renewal, leading the Association of Optometrists in the UK to deem current legislation around vision standards for driving as “not fit for purpose”.
Formal eye tests for over 70s are advised going forward
Proposed plans to change the law around self-certifying vision standards have come to light following an inquest into the deaths of four individuals where the drivers’ unsatisfactory eyesight was a contributing factor. According to the Association of Optometrists, the findings from the inquest, alongside additional data showing the self-declaration system to be lacking, is evidence enough to overhaul the laws around vision and driving in the UK.
Currently, the UK is one of only three European countries that still relies on self-reporting of visual impairments or conditions that might affect a person’s ability to drive safely.
It is expected that the government’s upcoming road safety strategy, the first to be announced in a decade, will include changes in legislation regarding self-declaration of vision impairments to make eye tests in people over 70 years of age mandatory.
It is not known whether the new government plans could include compulsory eye tests for drivers who are renewing their license, which is required every ten years from the date of issue. Similarly, little mention has been given to more stringent rules or penalties for younger, newly qualified drivers. A petition backed by 100,000 UK residents to consider Graduated Driving Licenses in October last year was rejected by the government, claiming GDLs “unfairly penalized young drivers”.
Drink-driving limits in England, Wales and Scotland
The upcoming road safety strategy announcement is not limited to the potential introduction of compulsory eye tests, with the new legislation thought to include considerations relating to drink-driving levels, seat belts and car insurance.
Road safety groups have previously called for stricter measures to be introduced to reduce drink-driving in the UK. The current drink-drive limit in England and Wales is 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood. This is predicted to be lowered as part of the new strategy to the Scottish equivalent of 50 milligrams per 100 millilitres of blood, in an effort to further protect road users across the UK.
Tougher penalties are expected to be introduced for uninsured drivers too, and those caught not wearing a seatbelt could face receiving penalty points for the first time.
Road safety strategy set to “restore order to our roads
Recent figures revealed that Transport Scotland has fallen behind in their promised delivery of key safety targets for 2030, with 160 fatalities on Scottish roads in 2024, an increase from 147 reported in 2023. It is hoped that the introduction of preventative measures, such as stricter enforcement of drink-driving laws and compulsory vision testing, are what’s needed to make real change in reducing the number of road traffic accidents in the UK.
John Dillon, Head of Dispute Resolution at Watermans, agrees that updates to measures to improve road safety are long-awaited, to protect drivers and road users of all ages across the UK.