by New road safety rules in the UK
The UK government plans to introduce stricter road safety rules, including mandatory eyesight tests for elderly drivers. The possibility of lowering the permissible blood alcohol level to bring it in line with the standards in force in Scotland and other European countries is also being considered. Statistics show that the number of fatal accidents or serious injuries caused by drivers over 60 has increased by 47% since 2010.
Under the new proposals, drivers over the age of 70 will have to undergo a mandatory eyesight test every three years to continue driving. Currently, the UK is one of only three countries in Europe where drivers can self-report eyesight problems. If tests reveal deteriorating eyesight, they will be banned from driving.
Changes in legislation regarding alcohol
In addition, the government plans to lower the permissible blood alcohol level from 35 to 22 micrograms per 100 ml of breath. This is expected to help reduce the number of alcohol-related traffic accidents, which reached a 13-year high in 2022.
Expansion of police powers
The police will receive additional tools to deal with offenders, including the ability to use the results of roadside drug tests as evidence in court. Penalties for driving without insurance may also be strengthened to combat the use of “ghost” number plates that are not recognized by cameras.
“In other countries, such as Canada, the introduction of new measures for young drivers has reduced the number of deaths and serious injuries by 20–40%. If the scheme in the UK has a similar effect, it could prevent at least 58 deaths and 934 serious injuries annually,” said AA President Edmund King.
These changes are part of a larger plan to improve road safety, especially given the increase in accidents among elderly drivers. At the same time, society is discussing whether such measures are too harsh, especially for elderly people who often depend on their car for independence.
