The government has unveiled proposals that would represent a major overhaul of UK road safety laws.
The proposals, the details of which are expected to be published this Autumn, include the requirement for drivers who are over the age of 70 to undergo mandatory eyesight tests with them being banned from driving if their eyesight does not meet the minimum requirements.
The proposals relating to eyesight testing follow a number of inquests that took place earlier this year in which pedestrians were killed by drivers who had poor or failing eyesight. The coroner at those inquests described the UK licensing system, which allows drivers to self-report any eyesight problems that affect their driving as being the "laxest in Europe."
A reduction of the current drink drive limit has also been put forward, the proposal being to reduce the drink drive limit from 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath to 22 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath. The current limit in England and Wales is the highest in Europe and the proposed reduction would bring the limit in line with the current law in Scotland.
There also appears to be a recognition that the increase in drug driving needs to be tackled, with a proposal that police be allowed to bring prosecutions on the basis of a positive roadside saliva test, rather than a forensic analysis of a blood sample.
Other changes being considered include drivers being penalised with penalty points if their passengers are not wearing seatbelts.
Response
The proposal to make sight tests compulsory in the over 70s has been welcomed by road safety and motoring organisations.
"The time has come for a bold and proactive approach to road safety. This strategy is much overdue as road deaths have plateaued over the last decade,” said the AA’s president, Edmund King.
Road Safety GB, a national road safety organisation comprised of representatives from groups across the country including local government and road safety teams, said that they welcomed the proposals, in particular the lowering of the drink drive limit and the tightening up of the rules around eyesight testing for older drivers
However, it is felt by some that the proposals do not go far enough, not least because at this stage the government do not intend to impose restrictions on newly qualified young drivers, with the AA calling this a "major oversight."
There had been calls for a graduated licence system to be introduced which would place limits on new drivers, such as not being able to carry passengers of their own peer age for a certain period after they passed their driving test but these proposals have been ruled out on the basis that they might unfairly discriminate against young parents or carers.
In relation to changes to the drink drive laws, some have pointed out that research has suggested that reducing the drink drive limit in Scotland did not have any discernible impact on any type of accident, fatal or otherwise.
Nevertheless, the proposals, if adopted, are likely to be welcomed by all road safety campaigners and motor insurers. It is generally acknowledged that the current system around reporting eyesight conditions for over 70s is in urgent need of reform and any measures that are likely to result in a greater awareness of the dangers of drink driving that leads to even greater anti drink driving sentiment amongst the public, is to be welcomed.
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