New compulsory tests planned for older drivers to keep licence
The Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander revealed to the Commons Transport Select Committee that she is considering compulsory eye tests for senior motorists after a number of fatal incidents.
Older motorists could be made to undertake compulsory tests in order to retain their licence as part of a new road safety strategy which the Government which the Government have said will be out later this year and will be the first new road safety strategy in 10 years.
This follows a recent prevention of future deaths report from HM Senior Coroner for Lancashire, Dr James Adeley, who detailed the deaths of four people killed by older drivers with failing eyesight. Dr James Adeley described the UK’s licensing system as “the laxest in Europe”. Dr Adeley wrote: “Self-reporting of visual conditions permits drivers to lie about their current driving status to those performing an ophthalmic assessment and avoid warnings not to drive and Drivers may also admit they drive but then ignore instructions not to drive and fail to notify the DVLA.
The coroner’s report, which the Transport Secretary described as “very distressing for the families of the victims,” highlighted occasions where opticians had advised older drivers to notify the DVLA about eyesight conditions affecting their driving ability, but these recommendations were not followed. Further details regarding the developing road safety strategy and the potential implementation of mandatory eye tests for older drivers are expected to be released in the future.
Drivers are not subjected to mandatory checks of their skills or health once they obtain their licence, no matter how old they become, although they are required to inform the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) if they are no longer fit to drive. It does beg the question “how many people know they could be fined for not reporting medical issues to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency?”
Asked when the road safety strategy will be released, Ms Alexander replied: “We will be publishing the first new road safety strategy in 10 years, and we hope to publish that document later this year.”
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