Drivers aged 70 and over may soon be required to pass eyesight and cognitive tests to retain their driving licences, if mounting pressure influences the Labour government and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).
Siobhan Thomas, a Partner in the Serious Injury Team at law firm Hugh James, is leading the campaign for these stricter regulations.
The proposed changes aim to ensure that older drivers remain safe and competent on the roads, addressing concerns about age-related decline in driving skills. She clarified: “Depending on your responses to the self-assessment questionnaire, you may be required to undergo a medical assessment to assess your fitness to drive.
“These assessments are conducted by healthcare professionals, often your GP or a designated medical practitioner. Medical assessments may include vision tests, cognitive assessments, and discussions about specific health conditions that could affect your ability to drive safely.”
She further explained: “In some cases, drivers aged 70 and above may be asked to take a practical driving test as part of the renewal process. This is more common if there are concerns about your ability to drive safely based on your self-assessment questionnaire or medical assessments,” reports Chronicle Live.
“The practical driving test is similar to the test taken when obtaining your initial driving licence. It assesses your ability to operate a vehicle safely in various road and traffic conditions.”
One driver voiced their opinion saying: “Licences for life were a very bad idea. They should applied for every five years and as an 81 year old I agree with every three years over 70 ,when you apply at the very least a certificate of vision. When I was a police officer it was the 25 yard test and a lot of young people were lacking in being able to read a number plate ,so not just us wrinkles But young smoothies as most accidents are caused by those between 18/40 insurance statistics.”
Another motorist chimed in: “I cant see the problem with this. However there are much younger drivers who are too vain to wear glasses when they need them.
“Perhaps these tests should be carried out every five years after the age of for eg 50.”
A different individual shared their personal decision: “I gave my licence up on my 80th birthday I as did not want to finish on the front page of a newspaper having caused an accident, possibly fatal.”