Three major changes to driving rules planned
The changes affect the drink drive limit, bring in new tests for older drivers and people who don't wear seatbelts
Drivers aged over 70 might face road bans if they fail mandatory eye tests
(Image: Jose Luis Pelaez Inc via Getty Images)
Drivers aged over 70 face road bans if they fail eye tests, as part of a proposed overhaul of driving regulations in England and Wales. The anticipated reforms are set to feature in a new road safety strategy that the government plans to unveil this autumn, amid concerns that current safety campaigns are ineffective.
As well as the eyesight rules for over 70s, the government is also examining tougher drink-driving regulations and their proposed changes would see the drink-drive threshold reduced from 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath to 22 micrograms, bringing it in line with Scotland's existing limits. Read here about DVLA's warning about posting pictures of your logbook online.
Additional measures being considered would permit police to use roadside saliva tests as evidence for drug-driving cases instead of blood tests, simplifying prosecutions.
Government statistics from late last year indicated there had been "a catastrophic rise" in deaths caused solely by alcohol in England during the previous four years.
The drink-driving limit across the two nations is poised to be lowered to match Scotland's stricter levels, and penalty points are likely to be introduced for passengers who neglect to wear seatbelts. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here
This development follows an inquest into four fatalities linked to drivers with poor vision, which led a coroner to criticise the UK's licensing system as the "laxest in Europe".
Transport Secretary's forthcoming plans include a stipulation for drivers over 70 to undergo eye examinations every three years upon licence renewal.
Consideration is also being given to testing for conditions such as dementia.
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In April, HM Senior Coroner for Lancashire Dr James Adeley issued a report to Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander calling for measures to prevent future deaths, after determining that enforcement of visual legal standards for drivers was inadequate.
His report revealed that the UK stands as one of just three European nations that depend on self-reporting of visual conditions that impact driving ability.
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