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Tuesday, Aug 12, 2025
Outside the box.
New Road Safety Measures Proposed in the UK: Focus on Eye Tests and Stricter Drink-Driving Limits
Government plans include mandatory eye tests for drivers over 70 and a reduction in drink-driving limits, responding to concerns about road safety and public health.
The UK government has proposed significant changes to road safety laws, including mandatory eye tests for drivers over 70 and a reduction in the drink-driving limit.
These proposed measures are a response to growing concerns about road safety, particularly after an inquest into four deaths caused by drivers with failing eyesight.
The coroner described the current licensing system as ‘the laxest in Europe’ and called for action to prevent further fatalities.
Currently, drivers over the age of 70 must renew their driving licenses every three years, but there are no mandatory eye tests.
The new proposal would make eye tests compulsory for all drivers in this age group during the renewal process.
The move aims to ensure that older drivers are able to see clearly enough to operate a vehicle safely.
The government has also announced plans to tighten drink-driving laws, aligning the limit in England and Wales with that of Scotland.
This would lower the limit from 35 to 22 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath.
In addition, the government is considering medical tests for conditions like dementia, as well as making it easier for police to prosecute drug-driving cases using saliva tests.
These measures are being proposed as part of a broader road safety strategy to address the ongoing risks posed by impaired and unsafe driving.
The government has stated that the proposed changes are part of a consultation process, and the public will have the opportunity to comment on the plans.
However, there is already significant support for some of the measures, particularly the mandatory eye tests for older drivers.
These changes come in response to growing concerns about the aging population’s ability to drive safely, as well as the increasing number of road fatalities involving older drivers.
The government has stressed that these measures are aimed at improving road safety and reducing the financial burden on the NHS, which currently spends more than £2 billion per year on road accidents.
In addition to these measures, the government is also considering reforms to the licensing system for younger drivers, though this remains a topic of debate.
Justice Minister Alex Davies-Jones has said the government will continue to monitor the effectiveness of its road safety policies and is committed to making necessary adjustments to ensure public safety.
These proposed measures are a response to growing concerns about road safety, particularly after an inquest into four deaths caused by drivers with failing eyesight.
The coroner described the current licensing system as ‘the laxest in Europe’ and called for action to prevent further fatalities.
Currently, drivers over the age of 70 must renew their driving licenses every three years, but there are no mandatory eye tests.
The new proposal would make eye tests compulsory for all drivers in this age group during the renewal process.
The move aims to ensure that older drivers are able to see clearly enough to operate a vehicle safely.
The government has also announced plans to tighten drink-driving laws, aligning the limit in England and Wales with that of Scotland.
This would lower the limit from 35 to 22 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath.
In addition, the government is considering medical tests for conditions like dementia, as well as making it easier for police to prosecute drug-driving cases using saliva tests.
These measures are being proposed as part of a broader road safety strategy to address the ongoing risks posed by impaired and unsafe driving.
The government has stated that the proposed changes are part of a consultation process, and the public will have the opportunity to comment on the plans.
However, there is already significant support for some of the measures, particularly the mandatory eye tests for older drivers.
These changes come in response to growing concerns about the aging population’s ability to drive safely, as well as the increasing number of road fatalities involving older drivers.
The government has stressed that these measures are aimed at improving road safety and reducing the financial burden on the NHS, which currently spends more than £2 billion per year on road accidents.
In addition to these measures, the government is also considering reforms to the licensing system for younger drivers, though this remains a topic of debate.
Justice Minister Alex Davies-Jones has said the government will continue to monitor the effectiveness of its road safety policies and is committed to making necessary adjustments to ensure public safety.
