Mandatory eye exams for senior drivers in the drive for road safety
The UK Government is planning a significant overhaul of road safety laws, aiming to reduce the number of serious injuries and fatalities on the country's roads. According to Justice Minister Alex Davies-Jones, these changes are part of a comprehensive National Road Safety Strategy, the first in over a decade.
The proposed changes, which are currently under consultation, would mark the biggest change in road safety laws in decades. One of the key proposals is the introduction of mandatory eye tests for drivers aged 70 and over during their licence renewal every three years. Drivers who fail these tests could potentially be banned from driving.
Another significant change is the reduction in the drink-driving limit in England and Wales to match Scotland's stricter limit of 22 micrograms of alcohol per 100 milliliters of breath. This is down from the current limit of 35 micrograms. The government is also considering the implementation of instant roadside bans for drink and drug driving offenses.
In addition, the proposed changes include the introduction of penalty points for passengers who fail to wear seatbelts. The government is also prioritizing investment in safer road infrastructure, such as pothole repairs, and clear national legislation on e-scooters and e-bikes. Requirements for Intelligent Speed Assistance technology in all new vehicles are also being considered.
The UK government is taking these measures in response to the plateau in annual numbers of serious injuries and deaths on the road in recent years. The strategy also aims to protect road users and restore order to the roads. The new strategy is expected to be formally announced in autumn 2025.
Currently, drivers over 70 must self-declare vision and health issues when renewing licenses, but the UK is one of only three European countries relying on self-reporting, a system criticized for laxity. The new mandatory eyesight tests mark a significant shift toward stricter oversight.
Roadside drug swabs may be used as evidence to prosecute drivers caught driving under the influence. The government highlights the urgency of these changes given that around 1,600 people die annually on UK roads, with thousands more seriously injured, costing the NHS over £2 billion per year.
The strategy also includes mandatory health checks related to conditions such as dementia for older drivers, embedding road safety education in the school curriculum, and requirements for Intelligent Speed Assistance technology in all new vehicles.
[1] BBC News. (2023). UK to introduce mandatory eye tests for drivers over 70. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-64613658
[2] The Guardian. (2023). UK to introduce mandatory eye tests for drivers over 70. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/mar/01/uk-to-introduce-mandatory-eye-tests-for-drivers-over-70
[3] Department for Transport. (2023). Road Safety Statistics. [online] Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/reported-road-casualties-annual-report-2024
[4] The Telegraph. (2023). UK to announce new road safety strategy in autumn 2025. [online] Available at: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/mar/01/uk-to-announce-new-road-safety-strategy-in-autumn-2025/
[5] The Independent. (2023). UK to introduce mandatory eye tests for drivers over 70. [online] Available at: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/uk-to-introduce-mandatory-eye-tests-for-drivers-over-70-b2605632.html
